Nature Photography | smithsonianmag.comhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/rss/tag/nature-photography/RSS feed for Nature PhotographyenFri, 28 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000These Enchanting and Colorful Photos of Seashells and the Mollusks That Create Them Will Have You Marveling at the Natural Worldhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/enchanting-colorful-photos-seashells-mollusks-who-create-them-have-you-marveling-at-natural-world-180989291/Before they become sandy souvenirs, the baubles in the bubbles of the shoreline serve as a veritable fortress for creatures like clams, mussels and conchsFri, 28 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/enchanting-colorful-photos-seashells-mollusks-who-create-them-have-you-marveling-at-natural-world-180989291/See 16 Stunning Animal Images From the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Awardshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/see-16-stunning-animal-images-from-the-wildlife-photographer-of-the-year-awards-180989397/Now in its 62nd year, the famed competition has released a sneak peek of the entries from this contest ahead of announcing the winners in OctoberWed, 26 Aug 2026 18:28:04 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/see-16-stunning-animal-images-from-the-wildlife-photographer-of-the-year-awards-180989397/An 'Extremely Rare' Half-Male, Half-Female Bird Temporarily Took Up Residence Outside of Chicagohttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/an-extremely-rare-half-male-half-female-bird-temporarily-took-up-residence-outside-of-chicago-180989377/The unusual-looking bobolink is what's called a bilateral gynandromorph. The bird behaved like a male, eventually wooing a mate and raising fledglingsFri, 21 Aug 2026 14:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/an-extremely-rare-half-male-half-female-bird-temporarily-took-up-residence-outside-of-chicago-180989377/Lions, Lions and Lions, Oh My! 15 Photos of the Most Majestic Big Cats Found Throughout Africahttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/lions-lions-and-lions-oh-my-15-photos-of-the-most-majestic-big-cats-found-throughout-africa-180989333/Ranging from cubs to adults, this selection of shots from the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest showcases the apex predator of the savannaFri, 14 Aug 2026 11:05:54 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/lions-lions-and-lions-oh-my-15-photos-of-the-most-majestic-big-cats-found-throughout-africa-180989333/This Amazing Archive of Animal Photography Reveals 18,000 Species and Counting. Here's How Joel Sartore Built His 'Photo Ark'https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/this-amazing-archive-of-animal-photography-reveals-18000-species-and-counting-heres-how-joel-sartore-built-his-photo-ark-180989282/For 20 years, the National Geographic photographer has showcased Earth’s animals in a series of striking images that make even the tiniest creatures look immenseFri, 07 Aug 2026 19:15:18 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/this-amazing-archive-of-animal-photography-reveals-18000-species-and-counting-heres-how-joel-sartore-built-his-photo-ark-180989282/Mangroves Are Key to Coastal Ecosystems. See 20 Breathtaking Photos That Reveal How the Trees Support Wildlife and Face Threatshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/mangroves-are-key-to-coastal-ecosystems-see-20-breathtaking-photos-that-reveal-how-the-trees-support-wildlife-and-face-threats-180989186/The Mangrove Photography Awards honor images that show off the beauty—and the fragility—of these valuable intertidal forestsFri, 24 Jul 2026 15:23:11 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/mangroves-are-key-to-coastal-ecosystems-see-20-breathtaking-photos-that-reveal-how-the-trees-support-wildlife-and-face-threats-180989186/These 16 Splendid Aerial Views Capture Wildlife From Above, Revealing the Beauty and Mystery of Naturehttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/these-16-splendid-aerial-views-capture-wildlife-from-above-revealing-the-beauty-and-mystery-of-nature-180989141/The second International Aerial Photographer of the Year contest selected its winners and 101 top images. Here’s a selection of the photos that spotlight animals from a new perspectiveFri, 17 Jul 2026 13:36:40 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/these-16-splendid-aerial-views-capture-wildlife-from-above-revealing-the-beauty-and-mystery-of-nature-180989141/15 Kitten Photos That Will Make You Feel as Warm and Fuzzy as the Tiny Felines Themselveshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/15-kitten-photos-that-will-make-you-feel-as-warm-and-fuzzy-as-the-tiny-felines-themselves-180989111/These moments from the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest highlight curious kittens from around the worldFri, 17 Jul 2026 11:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/15-kitten-photos-that-will-make-you-feel-as-warm-and-fuzzy-as-the-tiny-felines-themselves-180989111/These 11 Wildlife Images From the Ocean Conservancy’s Photography Contest Showcase the Wonder of Earth’s Watershttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/these-11-wildlife-images-from-the-ocean-conservancys-photography-contest-showcase-the-wonder-of-earths-waters-180989069/Seals, penguins and fish are featured in the nonprofit’s annual competition to inspire care for the world’s oceansMon, 06 Jul 2026 22:15:10 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/these-11-wildlife-images-from-the-ocean-conservancys-photography-contest-showcase-the-wonder-of-earths-waters-180989069/See Ten Spectacular Images From This Year's Astronomy Photographer of the Year Contest That Capture the Wonders of the Universehttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/see-ten-spectacular-images-from-this-years-astronomy-photographer-of-the-year-contest-that-capture-the-wonders-of-the-universe-180989065/The pictures, on the competition's shortlist, reveal the remarkable celestial objects that lie above our heads, both in deep space and closer to homeMon, 06 Jul 2026 14:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/see-ten-spectacular-images-from-this-years-astronomy-photographer-of-the-year-contest-that-capture-the-wonders-of-the-universe-180989065/