Last fall, we sent out a call for entries to our first ever Backyard and City Birds Photo Contest, here on our website. Bird photographers entered more than 600 images taken in yards, parks, and other urban and suburban spots. Thanks to everyone who entered the contest!
Below is a slideshow of our 12 honorable mention images. The images include shots of courting cardinals, hummingbirds, wrens, a nest-building gnatcatcher, and more. Each caption tells the story behind the photo, from the photographers themselves. Enjoy!
We’ll announce the winners on Friday, April 29.
Photo by Andrew C. Strom
After a frustrating day, I came home to find this juvenile Cooper's Hawk perched on the fence in the backyard. I dashed off to grab my camera, came back and opened the back slider as slowly and quietly as I could. With it opened just enough to get my lens out the door, I proceeded to have an hour-long photo session with this beautiful bird as it dashed back and forth across the back fence and repeatedly hopped down into the yard to look for the mice living in the bushes. Its hunt eventually ended unsuccessfully, but the experience had washed away my day and left me with the photos and memories of an amazing experience I shared with this beautiful bird.
Reno, Nevada, November 2021
Want to see more? Here are our 12 finalists.
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