Wildlife’s Summer Vacation Photos

Rachel Faulkner | Last Updated: January 5, 2016

Did you ever write an essay on what you did over summer vacation for class? Or send a post card from your summer trip talking about stuff you did and maybe ending with “Wish you were here”? True, vacation time is not really part of being a wild animal, but if wildlife took a summer vacation, this is what they might write home about.

If you have wildlife and nature photos — from any season, not just summer! — enter them in our National Wildlife Photo Contest! The deadline is July 22nd.

Laid out and soaked up some sun

Brown bear lying on the sand. Photo by John Farrington.

Had a picnic

White-tailed deer eating vegetation — White-tailed deer munching on vegetation. Photo by Robert Esbensen.

Went whale watching

Humpback whale. Photo by Kevin McCarthy.

Took the family to the beach…

White-tailed deer fawns and doe — White-tailed deer family. Photo by Gene Wright.

…and did some beachcombing

King penguins on beach. Photo by Lorraine Heath.

Enjoyed a summer romance

Mallards — Pair of mallards. Photo by Caroline Lambert.

Hiked up to a scenic spot

Yellow-bellied marmot. Photo by Jinn Chyi Sha.

Saw incredible lightning during a summer storm

Lightning storm — Lightning strikes over a lake. Photo by Hazel Erikson.

Found a shady spot to take a nap

Eastern fox squirrel. Photo by Brian Zingler.

Went swimming and splashed around for a bit

Walrus in the surf. Photo by Kevin McCarthy.

Really, just did a lot of kicking back and relaxing outdoors.

Two-toed sloth in tree — Two-toed sloth. Photo by Julio Gallardo.

All of these photos are donated entries from our annual National Wildlife Photo Contest. Enter your photos in our 2013 contest for a chance to win cash or other prizes, a shot at being our next People’s Choice Award winner, and the opportunity to have your work printed in National Wildlife® magazine.