We know how it goes: life gets super hectic with appointments and meetings, and it seems as though there are a million things happening at once. In those moments of chaos, it can be easy to forget to stop for a second and take in the beauty all around us. But even nature’s tiny details are gorgeous in their own right. We encourage you to take a minute (or even five!) to go outside, breathe in fresh air, and admire the beauty around you!

The images below have been submitted to the National Wildlife Photo Contest over the past few years and they are a great reminders that there is beauty in the details – even in your own backyard! Snap away and see what you can capture!

BlueFlower_BirolKirac_311400_620x413
Bee heading towards a Great Globe Thistle. Photo by National Wildlife Photo Contest entrant Birol Kirac.
Caterpillar_KirstenNiedzwecki_306846_620x413
Caterpillar eating a dill plant. Photo by National Wildlife Photo Contest entrant Kirsten Niedzwecki.
Fireflies_RadimSchreiber_310431_620x917
Fireflies (or Lightning Bugs) mirroring the sparkle of the stars. Photo by National Wildlife Photo Contest entrant Radim Schreiber.
Firefly_RadimSchreiber_309620_620x418
Firefly lighting up the dark night. Photo by National Wildlife Photo Contest entrant Radim Schreiber.
MilkThistle_HowardCheek_368817_620x413
“Essence of Milk Thistle.” Photo by National Wildlife Photo Contest entrant Howard Cheek.
PalmBonsai_HarshulNayak_310988_620x412
Palm Bonsai Tree in the garden of National Wildlife Photo Contest entrant Harshul Nayak.
PomegranateBackyard_BirolKirac_311829_620x413
Pomegranate tree in the backyard of National Wildlife Photo Contest entrant Birol Kirac.
SpiderWeb_DaveSutarik_365820_620x412
A perfect spider web glistening in the sun. Photo by National Wildlife Photo Contest entrant Dave Sutarik.
SyrphidFly_TheresaWiltrout_363228_620x413
A Syrphid Fly resting on a rose pedal after a rainfall. Photo by National Wildlife Photo Contest entrant Theresa Wiltrout.
TreeFrog_DylanRudolph_361293_620x322
A Squirrel Tree Frog posing at the base of a palm plant. Photo by National Wildlife Photo Contest entrant Dylan Rudolph.

National Wildlife Photo Contest

The National Wildlife Photo Contest is in its last week of submissions – the deadline has been extended to July 20th, 2014 so don’t miss your chance! Don’t wait another second to get outside, capture nature’s beauty with your camera, and submit! We can’t wait to see what you capture!

Visit our Nature Photography Tips Center for ideas and advice from pro photographers on photographing flowers, small animals, and more.