Celebrating World Environment Day through your lens
Whether tending a backyard garden or hiking across a glacier, time spent in nature is what motivates many environmentalists to protect our planet.
So, to celebrate World Environment Day on June 5, we invited you to share photos of the natural world that inspire you. The response was phenomenal. We received nearly 500 photos, and we're excited to showcase a selection of our favorites in Vital Signs.
We hope these photos motivate you to continue fighting for our magnificent yet fragile home in the face of climate change — today and every day.
WILDLIFE:
Hummingbird in flight
I took this photo in our yard in Memphis, Tennessee. Our yard is a certified wildlife habitat, and we have something native in bloom from spring until the first frost. Bird populations in the United States have gone down by 3 billion over the past 50 years primarily due to loss of habitat, so I am a strong supporter of 'rewilding' by replacing grass lawns with native plants.
David Sloas, TN
WILDLIFE:
Leopard in the Serengeti
After an unsuccessful hunt, a male leopard took a break on the limb of a tree in the Serengeti. We followed him for miles, and although I was glad that the rabbit he chased got away, it meant that the leopard was still hungry. The Serengeti in Tanzania is one of Earth’s wonders, as it is home to large cats like lions and leopards as well as dozens of other species including gazelles, zebras, buffalo and hundreds of birds.
Nancy Garret, CA
WILDLIFE:
On the hunt
I captured this photo on my property in Escondido, California, where I frequently see a pack of coyotes. I felt incredibly lucky to click the shutter at just the right moment to catch this coyote hunting. They jump straight up elevating their rear above their head and then drop nose-first down into gopher holes. I have seen this behavior before, but I’ve only captured it on film once.
Christine Sherer, CA
PORTRAITS OF PLANTS:
Trillium in the woods
This beautiful trillium lives in the woods at Russian Ridge Preserve near San Francisco. We love to walk there on the weekends, and I took this image because the faceted greens on the leaves reminded me of a stained-glass window. There are 43 known species of trillium worldwide, and some are quite rare.
Lottie Price, CA
PORTRAITS OF PLANTS:
Bleeding hearts
I took this photo in our backyard in Valatie, New York. It’s a perennial known as a bleeding heart because of the heart-shaped flowers and teardrop-like bulb. It was a present for my wife a couple of years ago, and I took the photo because I like the shape of the blooms and the warmth of their red color.
Steve Callahan, NY
PORTRAITS OF PLANTS:
Mother Nature wears her diamonds
Right in my very ordinary yard, I found this extraordinary display — every perfect leaf of heavenly bamboo holding perfect raindrops that sparkled. There was such magic in this scene that I became obsessed with trying to capture it. In California, which has been drought-ridden, the leaves holding up these precious drops of water felt almost like a message: we need to protect what sustains and nourishes our lives.
Miera Rao, CA
UNFORGETTABLE LANDSCAPES:
First light
This photograph was taken in the mountains of Palm Desert, California, at sunrise. I stood tip-toed on a rock and held my camera high above my head as the sun rose. For me, landscape photography provides a sense of peace and tranquility. Focusing on the beauty and intricacies of nature helps distract me from everyday worries and troubles. I hope it does the same for others.
Elaine Scott, CA
UNFORGETTABLE LANDSCAPES:
Wildflowers at sunset
This photo was taken in St. Lucie County in Florida last May. I was trying to capture the beauty of the simple wildflowers against the dramatic sunset. As a citrus farmer, I have seen the changes happening to our environment first-hand. Protecting what we have for future generations is what drives me to care deeply about our planet.
Susie Cassens, FL
UNFORGETTABLE LANDSCAPES:
A sacred spot
This scene is a part of our daily walk in Savannah, Georgia, with our two chocolate labs. It feels like a sacred spot. It's quiet, save for the birds, and the light is filtered by the trees and Spanish moss, giving it an ethereal feel. I captured this image at sunset, and it embodies the essence of living here: the peaceful water, the reeds, the dock and the wildlife.
Nicholas Zart, GA
ENJOYING THE OUTDOORS:
Dog days
This photo was taken at sunrise on East Beach in Santa Barbara, California. It shows my favorite outdoor activity with my dog, the wonder of nature and the beauty of my town.
Bob Cunningham, CA
ENJOYING THE OUTDOORS:
Taking flight
This photo was taken in Fort Morgan, Alabama, around the time my only son got married. I felt like the lone pelican taking off represented my son venturing on his own to start a new life — without me.
Margaret Sharpe, LA
ENJOYING THE OUTDOORS:
Peek-a-boo!
This photo of a raccoon at home in an old tree was taken on a hike that my wife and I were leading at a nature center near Colorado Springs. It’s a place many children visit and experience nature and people coexisting. If the racoon is asleep, often only an ear or a foot is visible. This time the racoon was awake and looking back at me.
Robert Jones, CO
Hope for a warming planet
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