Ladybug

Photograph by Shauna Kenworthy

Strathmore, Alberta, Canada
This ladybug on my Mayday tree brought a smile to my face. So tiny and so perfect, [ladybugs are] magical!
Sunset

Photograph by Vicki Draper

Seattle
After spending a weekend in class with Art Wolfe, world famous photographer, and being inspired, I took this photo.
Monument Valley

Photograph by Brian Slanger

Monument Valley, Utah
I call this area "The Land of the Dinosaurs."
Gecko

Photograph by Kristina Rau

Kona, Hawaii
Cute little day geckos are in every outside eating area!
Hummingbird

Photograph by Marie Daloia

Ecuador
Imagine a cool, fresh morning in the Ecuadorian cloud forest. The rain is falling and the air is filled with the pungent aroma of vegetation, soil, trees and leaves. Despite the somber rain clouds, there is a flash of color, flitting through the leaves and branches. With a little patience, you can see the tiny life form settle on a twig…it is a violet-tailed sylph, one of Ecuador's many species of hummingbird.
Jellyfish

Photograph by David Bankston

Atlanta
Fantastic blue! It's hard to believe these are living creatures.
Lily pads

Photograph by Terri Herrerra

Miami
I am a teacher in Miami, and our students participate in an eco program called the Fairchild Challenge. I took this photograph during one of our school field trips to the garden.
Reflection of mountains on the water

Photograph by Chelley Kitzmiller

Bishop, California
Over the decades, my family and I have camped near Lake Sabrina dozens of times. But I never really appreciated it until the morning I got up at 5 a.m., set up my camera and waited for the sunrise. There is something magical about watching the sunrise and light up the fall foliage and the lake. It was just me, my camera, the sun and God. Talk about a happy camper.
Sunset near the ocean

Photograph by Ffion Llwyd-Jones

Wales, United Kingdom
A golden evening on a Welsh beach. A time to dream, give thanks and be in awe.
White flowers

Photograph by Melissa Fontenette-Mitchell

Round Rock, Texas
When I first saw this flower, it reminded me of purity. This white flower stood out from the other bold-colored flowers. The purity of this flower says to me that I am loved and cared for. It brought me serenity.
Colorful sky

Photograph by David Mardis

Norman, Oklahoma
Working in the oil fields of the Oklahoma panhandle gives me the opportunity to see some stunning sunrises.
Fence in a field

Photograph by Mary Ann Einarson

Iceland
I finally got myself to Iceland last year. I met my cousins—one from Montana, one from Minneapolis—and we traveled up north to the "family farm," Vatnsdalsvegur. This was taken just outside the house around 11 p.m., and the sun didn't set for several more hours.
Red Flower

Photograph by Marisa Sheff

Costa Rica
A friend and I went traveling to Costa Rica two summers ago and were amazed by what its surroundings had to offer. From its beautiful rainforests to its unique flora and fauna, I was blown away! The flowers on our trip were breathtaking. The colors were so vibrant, and the most exquisite, rare flowers were so accessible to tourists.
Turtles

Photograph by Rhonda Durham

New York City
I took this photo when my best friend took me to New York City for my 50th birthday. It was a beautiful day in the park. So far, this is my favorite nature photo.
Pink flower

Photograph by Jennifer Willis

Ramsey, Illinois
I took this picture after my granny passed away. They played the song "The Prettiest Flower" by Rhonda Vincent at her funeral, and then I saw this flower and I thought of my granny. It was like it was put there just for me to see it. I made it the background on my computer so I can see it every day.
Koi fish

Photograph by Shannon Barteau

St. Augustine, Florida
While trying to capture palm reflections in a small pond, this beautiful orange Koi swam into the frame!
Tree-covered mountains

Photograph by Heather Hedstrom

British Columbia Rockies, Canada
We had a brief stop on the road while the highway crew was working on the mountain. It was such a pleasant stop being surrounded by the mountains and trees. Even though we were on Day 2 of a three-day road trip with two kids (ages 6 and 3), it was a very serene moment enjoyed by all.
Kelp

Photograph by Andrew Baker

Monterey Bay, California
I took this as I was kicking out to where we were going to go scuba diving. It's a simple picture, but the kelp and the color of the water are gorgeous and unique to cold-water diving. The California coast has a lot to offer.
Mountains and lake

Photograph by Kathy Bassett

Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada
This is my breath of fresh air! Imagine opening your windows to this view. On our recent camping trip, we did just that, from our tent. A wonderful, laid-back fishing, swimming and camping area that is breathtaking. I am a U.S. citizen with the privileges of living here in British Columbia with my Canadian husband. Touring around our "big backyard" is the one of the many gifts of living up here.
Horses

Photograph by Crystal Ann Dickinson

Medora Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
Driving through the Badlands the evening of July 11, 2009, there were multiple storm clouds passing. As the sun was beginning to set on the other side, I spotted some wild horses on a hilltop. I jumped out of the car and was very surprised I was able to walk within a few feet of the horses as they continued to eat. The storm clouds were perfectly aligned with the horses, and I was able to get some amazing capture, this one being my favorite of them all.