Nature Blog Network

Last week, Wren launched the NBN flickr group and on Sunday, John wrote on the value of adding photos to your blog.  It goes without saying that a few well-placed pictures can illustrate things that even the most erudite wordsmith can’t.  For nature blogs it’s particularly useful, as there’s no shortage of fascinating and beautiful subjects right outside your door.

I’m not what anyone would call a “skilled” photographer.  I occasionally stumble into a well composed shot but for the most part I take what would generously be referred to a “B-” photographs.  No matter though, even those can get my point across and photographic proof of my rare bird sightings go a long way towards establishing my birder cred across the internets.  And even a bad picture can be a nice addition to any post, cause it’s nice to have something to look at, you know?

But we’re not here to talk about my poor photographic skills.  The NBN has a plethora of picture pros within its ranks.  And the search for fine photograpy is just a click away.  Let’s have a look at those blogs for which picture-making is more than an idle pursuit.  Set faces to stun, these images are spectacular.

- South Carolina nature photographer Clay Bolt gets up close and personal with his macro lens at Natural Imagery.  Every picture has a story and he’s one to tell them.

-  If you’ve ever been to Florida you know how the entire state seems set up specifically for the nature photographer.  See some of the best the state has to offer at Florida Nature Photography.

- There’s scarcely a more dramatically photogenic continent than Africa.  For some truly stunning shots of wildlife, people, and landscapes head over to the Photo Africa Blog.

- I don’t speak Dutch (except for a few curse words, long story), but good pictures transcend language.  Both Natuurfotagrafie and Wolverie Martin Stevens are based in the Netherlands, but that low country has some high quality landscapes.

- British photographer Richard Steel takes some amazing shots at his Wildlife Photographic Journals blog.  I’m a particular fan of the Knots in the Nov 15 post, but I’m a bird guy.  There’s lots for every nature enthusiast, though.

- If there’s one tie that binds the members of the NBN, it’s that we take inspiration from nature.  At Diary of a Nature Photographer, Brenda Jones writes about inspiration, and if her photos are any indication, she has a lot to be inspired by.

- Plants and bugs are regular subjects of Tom Arbour’s macro lens at The Ohio Nature Blog.  The colors are lovely in the midwest this time of year and Tom isn’t one to miss them.

- Gardening is one way to get out into nature that isn’t covered much on the NBN.  Fortunately The Green-FIngered Photographer covers that beat with a photographic bent.

- Photographer Ken Conger is based on Virginia, but he gets around.  A recent trip to the Rockies provided a nice cache of photos recently, and you could spend a good deal of time browsing here.

- Lastly, artist and photographer Vickie Henderson displays her work at her blog of the same name.  It’s a two for one, photography and visual art.  What a deal!

These blogs ought to keep you busy until next week.  For the best of the amateurs, check out the new NBN flickr group, or better yet, join up!

photo from wikipedia