Nature Photographers Weekly Challenge

Guidelines and Themes

Weekly Challenge Guidelines

1. Weekly Challenge (WC) images must be posted in the Weekly Challenge Gallery.
2. Images must be identified in the subject line as a specific WC image. Example; NPWC#92 - (enter brief title here).
3. All photos must conform with the gallery guidelines the photo would normally be posted in - see Posting Guidelines.
4. Images submitted for each NPWC may be images you have on file, or images taken specifically for the WC. All images are eligible for the weekly Editors Pick.
5. Commentary on equipment and technique used is strongly encouraged
6. All WC images must be posted within the time frame provided; Sunday 12:00 AM through Saturday, 11:59 EST.
7. Do you have a suggestion for a Weekly Challenge theme? Send it to us at editor@naturephotographers.net.

Current and Upcoming Themes

Weekly Challenge #845 (07/01/18 - 07/07/18) Red, White and Blue - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. A picture that is dominated by two or three of these three colors.

Weekly Challenge #846 (07/08/18 - 07/14/18) Rocks, Rocks - Submitted by Mark Seaver. An image with lots of rocks. Could be many rocks (big or small), a big rock wall or something in between. May include modest parts that are not rocks.

Weekly Challenge #847 (07/15/18 - 07/21/18) After The Rain - Submitted by Carolyn Derstine. Photos that were obviously taken after a rain shower.

Weekly Challenge #848 (07/22/18 - 07/28/18) Tapetum Lucidum - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos that depict the "glowing eyes" of wildlife.

Weekly Challenge #849 (07/29/18 - 08/04/18) Summer Vacation - Submitted by Mark Seaver. An image from a summer vacation that would fit into any NPN gallery.

Weekly Challenge #850 (08/05/18 - 08/11/18) Cacti - Submitted by Paul Breitkreuz. Photos that include at least cacti.

Weekly Challenge #851 (08/12/18 - 08/18/18) Green - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Note - NPN's first WC theme from 15 years ago this week! The title says it all - the color green should be a major element of the image.

Weekly Challenge #852 (08/19/18 - 08/25/18) Mirage - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos that depict mirage and heat waves often seen through a telephoto lens.

Weekly Challenge #853 (08/26/18 - 09/01/18) Mixed Light - Submitted by Mark Seaver. An image with both natural and man made lighting. Think city scape at sunrise/sunset, starry night with a campfire, lantern or some light painting.

Weekly Challenge #854 (09/02/18 - 09/08/18) Lichen - Submitted by Paul Breitkreuz. Photos that include lichen-covered rocks.

Weekly Challenge #855 (09/09/18 - 09/15/18) Swamp Inhabitants - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos of flora and fauna found in swamps.

Past Themes

Weekly Challenge #844 (06/24/18 - 06/30/18) Garden Scenes - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos taken in or around gardens. Don't limit your submissions to just flowers!

Weekly Challenge #843 (06/17/18 - 06/23/18) No Child Left Indoors - Submitted by Wayne Jones. Any Photo of a child or children enjoying nature in the out-of-doors--hiking, walking, exploring flora and fauna, etc.

Weekly Challenge #842 (06/10/18 - 06/16/18) Window Reflections - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Reflections of nature in window glass.

Weekly Challenge #841 (06/03/18 - 06/09/18) Nature Imperfect - Submitted by Mark Seaver. The natural world is full of imperfections, yet we photographers focus on the perfect or create a perfect photo using the clone tool. Show us images where the imperfections play an important role in telling the story of the plant, animal, or location.

Weekly Challenge #840 (05/27/18 - 06/02/18) Moss & Lichen - Submitted by Dennis Plank. The main subject is mosses and/or lichens.

Weekly Challenge #839 (05/20/18 - 05/26/18) Beautiful Backgrounds - Submitted by Steve Balke. Backgrounds that are so pretty that the beauty of the image is shared between the background and the main subject.

Weekly Challenge #838 (05/13/18 - 05/19/18) A Spot of Color - Submitted by Carolyn Derstine. A scene that's largely monochrome or just flat-looking but with a single brightly colored element.

Weekly Challenge #837 (05/06/18 - 05/12/18) Wetlands - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos taken in areas that are designated wetlands.

Weekly Challenge #836 (04/29/18 - 05/05/18) After the Rain - Submitted by Carolyn Derstine. Photos of nature that were obviously taken after a rain shower.

Weekly Challenge #835 (04/22/18 - 04/28/18) Shot from a Moving Platform - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Nature photos taken from a moving car, boat, etc. Should show some motion blur.

Weekly Challenge #834 (04/15/18 - 04/21/18) Green - Submitted by Larry Johnson. Images that feature the color green.

Weekly Challenge #833 (04/08/18 - 04/14/18) Only Clouds - Submitted by Ed Williams. Nothing but clouds, could be sunrise, sunset, blue skies with scattered clouds, cloud shapes, etc.

Weekly Challenge #832 (04/01/18 - 04/07/18) 18 Years of NPN - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. On this 18th anniversary of NPN, post a photo that best illustrates your progress as a photographer since joining, including a description of how you believe you have improved.

Weekly Challenge #831 (03/25/18 - 03/31/18) Fences - Submitted by Sandy Richards. Nature images that include a man-made fence.

Weekly Challenge #830 (03/18/18 - 03/24/18) Wildlife Memes - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Captioned photos of wildlife that make us laugh or make us think.

Weekly Challenge #829 (03/11/18 - 03/17/18) Mushrooms and Lichen - Submitted by Lucy Swearingen. There are so many colors, textures and shapes, that are underfoot and overhead and are, often, passed right by.

Weekly Challenge #828 (03/04/18 - 03/10/18) Water Drops - Submitted by Lucy Swearingen. Photos of water drops on flowers, on insects, from splashing animals, from rain, fountains, etc.

Weekly Challenge #827 (02/25/18 - 03/03/18) Staying Warm - Submitted by Mark Seaver. An image that creates a feeling a warmth. Might be someone very bundled up, standing in front of a heater, a view into a fire, etc.

Weekly Challenge #826 (02/18/18 - 02/24/18) Winter Avian Portraits - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos of birds in an obvious winter setting.

Weekly Challenge #825 (02/11/18 - 02/17/18) Winter Green - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photo of a natural object that is green, taken in the winter.

Weekly Challenge #824 (02/04/18 - 02/10/18) Black & White - Submitted by Mark Seaver. A B&W image that would fit in any NPN Gallery. Please include any special processing details.

Weekly Challenge #823 (01/28/18 - 02/03/18) Flooding - Submitted by Carolyn Derstine. Images that show flooding and/or the aftermath of flooding.

Weekly Challenge #822 (01/21/18 - 01/27/18) Abstracts - Submitted by Bill Fach. Abstract compositions at any scale.

Weekly Challenge #821 (01/14/18 - 01/20/18) Signs of Aging - Submitted by Ed Williams. Older animals, ancient trees, tattered wings of butterflies, decaying buildings, etc.

Weekly Challenge #820 (01/07/18 - 01/13/18) Winter Activities - Submitted by Wayne Jones. Images that present the feeling of "c-c-c-coldness" with typical winter activities of people skiing, sled-riding, building a snowman, hiking, taking pictures, etc. For those in warmer climates show us a winter activity and tell us cold weather folks what makes it winter where you live.

Weekly Challenge #819 (12/31/17 - 01/06/18) Snow! - Submitted by Mark Seaver. An image where the subject is mostly or completely covered with snow. Could be landscape with or without HOM or macro.

Weekly Challenge #818 (12/17/17 - 12/30/17) Best Shot of 2017 - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. As per our custom during the EPA Break, your best photo from 2017.

2017 EPA Break

Weekly Challenge #817 (12/10/17 - 12/16/17) So Long 2017! - Submitted by Dennis Plank. Just for fun - pull out some of those images you never processed where the bird or animal is clearly leaving the frame.

Weekly Challenge #816 (12/03/17 - 12/09/17) Wood - Submitted by Mark Seaver. An image where wood dominates either in it’s native form or after processing. Could be a forest, a tree close-up, driftwood, a weathered building, a deck, etc.

Weekly Challenge #815 (11/26/17 - 12/02/17) Sun Dogs - Submitted by Lucy VanSwearingen. Sundogs or other cool happenings in the sky or cloud formations.

Weekly Challenge #814 (11/19/17 - 11/25/17) Night Time in the Woods - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos taken at night in the woods.

Weekly Challenge #813 (11/12/17 - 11/18/17) Sunless - Submitted by Mark Seaver. An image taken on an overcast day, in the shade or when a cloud blocked the sun. Describe any processing adjustments that you made due to the lighting.

Weekly Challenge #812 (11/05/17 - 11/11/17) Frost Close-up - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Macro/close-up photos showing frost on a natural surface.

Weekly Challenge #811 (10/29/17 - 11/04/17) Autumn Rural - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Show those beautiful autumn colors with a touch of HOM mixed in!

Weekly Challenge #810 (10/22/17 - 10/28/17) Rock Art - Submitted by Carolyn Derstine. Frame-filling images that show the colors, designs, textures, that can be found in natural rocks and/or minerals.

Weekly Challenge #809 (10/15/17 - 10/21/17) Size Matters - Submitted by Mark Seaver. Images with similar subjects that distinctly show differences in size. Adult and baby animals, a puddle next to a lake, a young tree next to a giant tree, a small bird and a large bird, a small dog and a big dog, etc.

Weekly Challenge #808 (10/08/17 - 10/14/17) Camouflage - Submitted by Ed Williams. Photos of insects or animals blending in with their environment.

Weekly Challenge #807 (10/01/17 - 10/07/17) Web - Submitted by Mark Seaver. Fall is spider time in the woods show us a photo containing some kind of natural web.

Weekly Challenge #806 (09/24/17 - 09/30/17) Busy - Submitted by Mark Seaver any subject in an image that would be called busy.

Weekly Challenge #805 (09/17/17 - 09/23/17) Rural Landscapes - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Landscape photos that includes HOM.

Weekly Challenge #804 (09/10/17 - 09/16/17) Shadow Patterns - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos that rely on a pattern of shadows as a primary compositional element.

Weekly Challenge #803 (09/03/17 - 09/09/17) Leaves - Submitted by Mark Seaver. Images that focus on a single or a few leaves. Although fall is just around the corner, leaves in any season are fine.

Weekly Challenge #802 (08/27/17 - 09/02/17) Leading Lines - Submitted by Mark Seaver. Use one or more leading lines to create an image that invites the viewer to go exploring. Could be anything from a macro to a landscape.

Weekly Challenge #801 (08/20/17 - 08/26/17) Heat - Submitted by Wayne Jones. Nature images representing heat. Fire. Heat Lightening. Creeks that have dried up. Fiery colors (not autumn colors) but dynamic oranges and reds. Dried flowers, trees that have been struck by lightening ...

Weekly Challenge #800 (08/13/17 - 08/19/17) Taken In The Rain - Submitted by David Schoen. Photos taken in the rain.

Weekly Challenge #799 (08/06/17 - 08/12/17) Odd Light - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Scenes that include unusual natural lighting.

Weekly Challenge #798 (07/30/17 - 08/05/17) High Key Images - Submitted by Cay-Uwe Kulzer. Backlight situations in which the main subject is not a silhouette.

Weekly Challenge #797 (07/23/17 - 07/29/17) Conflict in Nature - Submitted by Ron Bielefeld. Any struggle or conflict existing in nature, from animals in prey to plants fighting the elements.

Weekly Challenge #796 (07/16/17 - 07/22/17) Famous Quotes - Submitted by Sharon Lane. The image immediately brings to mind or embodies a famous (or not so famous) quote. Indicate the quote source (or give the quote) in the description.

Weekly Challenge #795 (07/09/17 - 07/15/17) Primary Colors in Nature - Submitted by Lon Sharp. Shots that feature prominently colors of red, green and blue.

Weekly Challenge #794 (07/02/17 - 07/08/17) Camouflage - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Insects, birds or mammals blending into the envitronment.

Weekly Challenge #793 (06/25/17 - 07/01/17) Green Texture - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos that are doninated by the color green with texture as the main visual element.

Weekly Challenge #792 (06/18/17 - 06/24/17) Bridges - Submitted by Mark Seaver. Photos where a bridge dominates, could be big or small, old or new.

Weekly Challenge #791 (06/11/17 - 06/17/17) My Yard - Submitted by Mark Seaver. Photos taken in your yard. May include hand or man or not, your choice.

Weekly Challenge #790 (06/04/17 - 06/10/17) Night Photography - Submitted by Paula LeVay. Images taken outdoors between dusk and dawn using artificial or natural light. Examples could include Milky Way, star trails, cityscapes, etc.

Weekly Challenge #789 (05/28/17 - 06/03/17) Water - Submitted by Sandy Richards. Water as the primary focus of the image.

Weekly Challenge #788 (05/21/17 - 05/27/17) B&W Macro - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Macro photos rendered in black and white.

Weekly Challenge #787 (05/14/17 - 05/20/17) Jigsaw Puzzles - Submitted by Mark Seaver. An image that you think would make a good jigsaw puzzle, could be an attractive scene, might be finely detailed, possibly abstract, etc.

Weekly Challenge #786 (05/07/17 - 05/13/17) Our Influence - Submitted by Mark Seaver. An image suitable for the M&N gallery showing humanity's presence, could be good effects (interesting structures, artistic changes, etc.) or bad effects (trash in the landscape, entangled wildlife, etc.).

Weekly Challenge #785 (04/30/17 - 05/06/17) Textures - Submitted by Doug Koepsel. A photo in which texture is an important or strongest part of the composition.

Weekly Challenge #784 (04/23/17 - 04/29/17) Light Up the Sky - Submitted by Paul DeCesare. Photos where the subject is to be mostly or entirely the sky showing anything from a fiery sunrise/sunset, lightning, astrophotography, Northern Lights, etc.

Weekly Challenge #783 (04/16/17 - 04/22/17) Flooding - Submitted by Carolyn Derstine. Images that show floods and/or the effects on nature of flooding.

Weekly Challenge #782 (04/09/17 - 04/15/17) Depth of Field - Submitted by David Schoen. Photos that illustrate DOF at either extreme.

Weekly Challenge #781 (04/02/17 - 04/08/17) Spring into Spring - Submitted by Stan Rose. Subjects that inspire the first few weeks of the new season.

Weekly Challenge #780 (03/26/17 - 04/01/17) Photo Gear - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Artistic photos of your photo gear!

Weekly Challenge #779 (03/19/17 - 03/25/17) Desktop Wallpaper - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos suitable for desktop wallpaper (think "easy to find all of those desktop icons").

Weekly Challenge #778 (03/12/17 - 03/18/17) Flat Light - Submitted by David Schoen. Images taken in less than optimal cloudy flat winter light - could be taken on a snowy or rainy day (fog doesn't count; too easy).

Weekly Challenge #777 (03/05/17 - 03/11/17) Analogous Color Scheme - Submitted by Jay Patel. Analogous Colors are colors that are next to one another on a color wheel. For example, blue and green are analogous colors… as are orange and yellow. For this week’s challenge, share images with an analogous color scheme.

Weekly Challenge #776 (02/26/17 - 03/04/17) Ice - Submitted by Mark Seaver. Anything with lots of ice. Could be ice sculptures, icicles, iced drinks, iced foliage, ice on a pond or river, etc.

Weekly Challenge #775 (02/19/17 - 02/25/17) Local Icons - Submitted by Scott Lanz. A photo of popular local destination or subject, mething that may not have national or worldwide recognition, but is well kown locally or regionally.

Weekly Challenge #774 (02/12/17 - 02/18/17) Sands of Time - Submitted by Eva McDermott. Anything sand related, from beaches to dunes.

Weekly Challenge #773 (02/05/17 - 02/11/17) Stitched Panoramas - Submitted by Mark Seaver. Must include at 3 or more frames stitched together in either a vertical or horizontal format.

Weekly Challenge #772 (01/29/17 - 02/04/17) After Dark - Submitted by Mark Seaver. A photo taken after dark. Can be all natural, manmade, or mixed.

Weekly Challenge #771 (01/22/17 - 01/28/17) Trees - Submitted by Bill Fach. Can be a single tree or many trees in any season.

Weekly Challenge #770 (01/15/17 - 01/21/17) Snowless Winter Scenes - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Can you create a compelling winter image without snow?

Weekly Challenge #769 (01/08/17 - 01/14/17) Something New - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. In celebration of a new year, photos of something that you have never photographed before.

Weekly Challenge #768 (01/01/17 - 01/07/17) Diagonal Lines - Submitted by Paula Levay. Photos that use (or imply) diagonal lines as a compostional element.

Weekly Challenge #767 (12/18/16 - 12/31/16) Best of 2016 - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Post your favorite photos of 2016!

Weekly Challenge #766 (12/11/16 - 12/17/16) Shadows - Submitted by Preston Birdwell. Photos that use shadows as an important element of the compostion.

Weekly Challenge #765 (12/04/16 - 12/10/16) Turkeys - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. In celebration of the Thanksgiving holiday, images of wild turkeys.

Weekly Challenge #764 (11/27/16 - 12/03/16) Dogs - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Wild or domesticated.

Weekly Challenge #763 (11/20/16 - 11/26/16) It Went That-away - Submitted by Dennis Plank. Images of critter tracks, large or small, living or extinct.

Weekly Challenge #762 (11/13/16 - 11/19/16) Halloween - Submitted by Lucy VanSwearingen. A "POP" break from nature, images of decorations or costumes!

Weekly Challenge #761 (11/06/16 - 11/12/16) Nature Photographers - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos of you or other nature photographers enjoying your craft!

Weekly Challenge #760 (10/30/16 - 11/05/16) First Frost - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Images that depict "the first frost" such as frost on a flower, gree foliage, etc.

Weekly Challenge #759 (10/23/16 - 10/29/16) Fall is Falling - Submitted by Mark Seaver. An image that shows what Fall looks like where you live. A special challenge for those who live in the tropics.

Weekly Challenge #758 (10/16/16 - 10/22/16) Colored - Submitted by Mark Seaver. An image where a single color dominates.

Weekly Challenge #757 (10/09/16 - 10/15/16) POP - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Any photo suitable for NPN's People, Objects and Places gallery.

Weekly Challenge #756 (10/02/16 - 10/08/16) Paul DeCesare - Submitted by Paul DeCesare. Images with mostly (or even all) sky. Think clouds, storms, sunrise/sunset, night sky, eclipse, etc.

Weekly Challenge #755 (09/25/16 - 10/01/16) Backgrounds - Submitted by Dennis Plank. Deliberately oof images that would make a beautiful background.

Weekly Challenge #754 (09/18/16 - 09/24/16) Layers - Submitted by Carol Nichols. Photos showing multiple layers.

Weekly Challenge #753 (09/11/16 - 09/17/16) Look Again - Submitted by Mark Seaver. Two images showing how you returned to a subject and improved the view or created an alternate view. Post the best one first if you believe one is notably better than the other.

Weekly Challenge #752 (09/04/16 - 09/10/16) Yellow - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. With the return of those big yellow school buses on our local roads, photos that fit any of the NPN galleries where the color yellow dominates.

Weekly Challenge #751 (08/28/16 - 09/03/16) Beach Scenes - Submitted by Carolyn Derstine. Photos taken on a beach (can include hand-of-man).

Weekly Challenge #750 (08/21/16 - 08/27/16) Usurped - Submitted by Dennis Plank. Images that portray animals that have usurped a human made object for their own purposes.

Weekly Challenge #749 (08/14/16 - 08/20/16) Reflections - Submitted by Mark Seaver. What does summer look like to you? Images can fit in any NPN gallery.

Weekly Challenge #748 (08/07/16 - 08/13/16) Reflections - Submitted by Mark Seaver. An image where reflections dominate. Could be in water, windows, mirrors, etc.

Weekly Challenge #747 (07/31/16 - 08/06/16) Lightening - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos of lightening!

Weekly Challenge #746 (07/24/16 - 07/30/16) Halos and Silhouettes - Submitted by Lucy VanSwearingen. Backlighting creating a halo/silhouette...back lighting can be simple, white spots, star effects.

Weekly Challenge #745 (07/17/16 - 07/23/16) Downpour - Submitted by Dennis Plank. Photos taken in a deluge of rain.

Weekly Challenge #744 (07/10/16 - 07/16/16) Breaking the Rules - Submitted by Dennis Plank. An image that breaks the general "rules" for good photography. Must explain the rule you broke and why.

Weekly Challenge #743 (07/03/16 - 07/09/16) Red, White & Blue - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos where these three colors doninate the frame!

Weekly Challenge #742 (06/26/16 - 07/02/16) Bird Feeder Favorites - Submitted by Lucy VanSwearingen. Post your favorite feathered-friend shots taken at your feeder!

Weekly Challenge #740 (06/12/16 - 06/18/16) Spiders - Submitted by Lucy VanSwearingen. Cool, colorful, or creepy - they can, but don't have to have a web.

Weekly Challenge #739 (06/05/16 - 06/11/16) Think Local - Submitted by Mark Seaver. Photos of a local par or natural area taken in the last 30 days.

Weekly Challenge #738 (05/29/16 - 06/04/16) Clouds Got in the Way - Submitted by David Schoen. Weather changes and the best intentions don't always lead to the best images. Post an image where cloudy weather lead to a good photo when clear skies were what you were planning.

Weekly Challenge #737 (05/22/16 - 05/28/16) Parallel Lines - Submitted by Mark Seaver. Two or more "lines" running parallel (includes curved lines).

Weekly Challenge #736 (05/15/16 - 05/21/16) Moss & Lichen - Submitted by Dennis Plank. The main subject is mosses and/or lichens.

Weekly Challenge #735 (05/08/16 - 05/14/16) Humor in Nature - Submitted by David Schoen. A funny photo and a funny caption together. Make us laugh!

Weekly Challenge #734 (05/01/16 - 05/07/16) Swamp Creatures - Submitted by Lucy VanSwearingen. Turtles, 'gators, birds or other creatures in or on top of swamp "slime"(duckweed, lily pads).

Weekly Challenge #733 (04/24/16 - 04/30/16) Sand & Gravel - Submitted by Dennis Plank. The main subject is either sand or gravel. Anything from a photomicrograph of a grain of sand to a stony beach.

Weekly Challenge #732 (04/17/16 - 04/23/16) Damaged Goods - Submitted by Mark Seaver. A natural subject that has been damaged, from mountain with it's top blown off, to a butterfly with a broken wing.

Weekly Challenge #731 (04/10/16 - 04/16/16) Almost There - Submitted by Mark Seaver. Seasonal changes are rarely continuous, show us what happens as a dramatic shifts in weather rolls through as seasons change.

Weekly Challenge #730 (04/03/16 - 04/09/16) Heat - Submitted by Wayne Jones. Nature images representing heat. Fire. Heat Lightening. Creeks that have dried up. Fiery colors (not autumn colors) but dynamic oranges and reds. Dried flowers, trees that have been struck by lightening ...

Weekly Challenge #729 (03/27/16 - 04/02/16) Abstracts and Extracts - Submitted by Bill Fach. Find graphic compositions or extract one from a larger scene.

Weekly Challenge #728 (03/20/16 - 03/26/16) Cold Murk - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos that depict winter fog over ice, snow covered landscapes, etc.

Weekly Challenge #727 (03/13/16 - 03/19/16) Joy - Submitted by Bill Chambers. Photos that depict joy in nature - for either the subject or the photographer.

Weekly Challenge #726 (03/06/16 - 03/12/16) Bark - Submitted by Doug Koepsel. Photos where the entire frame depicts tree bark.

Weekly Challenge #725 (02/28/16 - 03/05/16) Cactus Scenes - Submitted by Paul Breitkreuz. Scenes that contain cactus.

Weekly Challenge #724 (02/21/16 - 02/27/16) Big and Little - Submitted by Lon Sharp. A large and small subject within the same nature photo.

Weekly Challenge #723 (02/14/16 - 02/20/16) The Color of Light - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos that depict the color of natural light.

Weekly Challenge #722 (02/07/16 - 02/13/16) Winter Avian Portraits - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos of birds in an obvious winter setting.

Weekly Challenge #721 (01/31/16 - 02/06/16) State Bird - Submitted by John Tobias. Photos of a state's offical bird. Please include the species and state!

Weekly Challenge #720 (01/24/16 - 01/30/16) Snowscapes - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Landscapes (no HOM) covered in snow.

Weekly Challenge #719 (01/17/16 - 01/23/16) Canine Portraits - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Portrait photos of canines, wild or domesticated.

Weekly Challenge #718 (01/10/15 - 01/16/16) On the Kill - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Predators feasting on their kill (gory is OK).

Weekly Challenge #717 (01/03/15 - 01/09/16) Winter Scenics - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos of winter scenes that include a man-made structure.

Weekly Challenge #716 (12/20/15 - 01/02/16) Best Shot of 2015 - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. During this extended WC for the EPA break, post your best shot of 2015!

Weekly Challenge #715 (12/13/15 - 12/19/15) Patterns by Water - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos of patterns in sand, rock, etc. that were formed by water.

Weekly Challenge #714 (12/06/15 - 12/12/15) Upland Fowl - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos of upland game fowl, such as American woodcock, bobwhite quail, ringtail pheasant, etc.

Weekly Challenge #713 (11/29/15 - 12/05/15) Natural Tunnels - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos of natural tunnels through rock, formed by forest trees, etc.

Weekly Challenge #712 (11/22/15 - 11/28/15) Rock Outcrops - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos that depict a rock outcrop silhouetted against the sky.

Weekly Challenge #711 (11/15/15 - 11/21/15) Bridges and Waterfalls - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photo must include both a man-made bridge and a water fall.

Weekly Challenge #710 (11/08/15 - 11/14/15) Seasonal Transitions - Submitted by Carolyn Derstine. Photos that illustrate the transition of one season to the next. Please be sure to indicate which two seasons the transition depicts!

Weekly Challenge #709 (11/01/15 - 11/07/15) Aliens - Submitted by Lucy VanSwearingen. Close-up photos of insects or other creatures that look scary alien life forms.

Weekly Challenge #708 (10/25/15 - 10/31/15) Peak Highlights - Submitted by Paul Breitkreuz. Mountain or foothill peaks, ridges, or tops being highlighted by sunlight with the rest of the scene dark or shadowed.

Weekly Challenge #707 (10/18/15 - 10/24/15) Faces in Trees - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos of trees or tree trunks that are shaped like the face of a human or animal.

Weekly Challenge #706 (10/11/15 - 10/17/15) Vacation - Submitted by Mark Seaver. An image from a summer trip.

Weekly Challenge #705 (10/04/15 - 10/10/15) Wave Action - Submitted by Mark Seaver. Could be anything from a tsunami (hopefully not...) to ripples on a pond, fully sharp to fully blurred.

Weekly Challenge #704 (09/27/15 - 10/03/15) Self Portrait - Submitted by Dennis Plank. As the photographer you may or may not be in the image, however the image should somehow reflect what you consider important in life or who you consider yourself to be.

Weekly Challenge #703 (09/20/15 - 09/26/15) Nature Photographers - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos of nature photographers in the field practicing their craft.

Weekly Challenge #702 (09/13/15 - 09/19/15) Old Cameras - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Old gear appreciation week - photos of old cameras!

Weekly Challenge #701 (09/06/15 - 09/12/15) Watering Holes - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Images taken at watering holes, both natural and man made.

Weekly Challenge #700 (08/30/15 - 09/05/15) Pathways - Submitted by Mark Seaver. Meant in it's most general sense of how we get from place to place. Could be a trail, backroad, highway, railroad, airport runway, etc.

Weekly Challenge #699 (08/23/15 - 08/29/15) Farmer's Markets - Submitted by Carol Hyman. Photos taken at farmer's markets.

Weekly Challenge #698 (08/16/15 - 08/22/15) Heat Mirage - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos that depict natural subjects viewed through heat mirage.

Weekly Challenge #697 (08/09/15 - 08/15/15) Edges - Submitted by Mark Seaver. Most of nature's diversity happens at the transition from one habitat to another. Show us your view of such edges.

Weekly Challenge #696 (08/02/15 - 08/08/15) Light on White - Submitted by Gary Minish. From brightly lit snow to light on a swan's feathers, anything from macros to landscapes, any photo that has a white subject with light.

Weekly Challenge #695 (07/26/15 - 08/01/15) Windmills and Barns - Submitted by Paul Breitkreuz. Photos that show windmills and barns in a natural setting.

Weekly Challenge #694 (07/19/15 - 07/25/15) All Wet - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Wet flora, fauna, landscapes or macroscapes!

Weekly Challenge #693 (07/12/15 - 07/18/15) Rainbows - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Post your best photos of rainbows!

Weekly Challenge #692 (07/05/15 - 07/11/15) Celebrations - Submitted by Mark Seaver. With the USA celebrating it's independence on July 4th, here's a chance for all to show us a celebration image: could be international, national, local, or even a family celebration.

Weekly Challenge #691 (06/28/15 - 07/04/15) Open Wide - Submitted by Sandy Richards and Lucy VanSwearingen. A bird, animal, or human with it's mouth wide open.

Weekly Challenge #690 (06/21/15 - 06/27/15) Long Exposures - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Exposures one second or longer.

Weekly Challenge #689 (06/14/15 - 06/20/15) Inspired by Others - Submitted by Mark Weaver (borrowed from Bruce Berman [04/09]). A photo inspired by a particular painter, photographer, or other artist. Post your shot and explain how or why it was influenced by the style or ideas of another artist.

Weekly Challenge #688 (06/07/15 - 06/13/15) Deluge - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos that depict a downpour of rain!

Weekly Challenge #687 (05/31/15 - 06/06/15) Light Balance - Submitted by Mark Seaver. Images that include both man made and natural lighting.

Weekly Challenge #686 (05/24/15 - 05/30/15) Name That Tune - Submitted by Tony Kuyper. You supply the photo. It should represent the title of a popular song, which we the viewers must guess in the comments. Your title should not give away the song title, but can give a hint.

Weekly Challenge #685 (05/17/15 - 05/23/15) Spring Sprang - Submitted by Mark Seaver. Now that spring has arrived in the Northern Hemisphere, show us what it looks like around you. For those in the Southern Hemisphere, show us what it looked like last October.

Weekly Challenge #684 (05/10/15 - 05/16/15) The Flip Side - Submitted by Lucy VanSwearingen. Photos showing the side (or end) of something that we don't usually look at, like the underside of a bug, bird,or bridge or the animal running away from the photog.

Weekly Challenge #683 (05/03/15 - 05/09/15) Signs in Nature - Submitted by Carol Nichols. There are man-made signs everywhere. Some are made to be as beautiful as the scenery that surrounds them, some are made to blend into the scenery as much as possible, some can be quite funny and some are downright stupid.

Weekly Challenge #682 (04/26/15 - 05/02/15) Star Struck - Submitted by Mark Seaver. An image where the stars are the stars. Either pinpoints or trails.

Weekly Challenge #681 (04/19/15 - 04/25/15) Ground Level - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos taken with the camera on or within inches of the ground.

Weekly Challenge #680 (04/12/15 - 04/18/15) Accidental Exposures - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos captured as a result of accidental shutter activation while carrying the camera or at any time you were not in the process of taking a photo.

Weekly Challenge #679 (04/05/15 - 04/11/15) Pet Portraits - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos of your pet(s) posed in a natural (non-studio) setting.

Weekly Challenge #678 (03/29/15 - 04/04/15) Winter Fun - Submitted by Mark Seaver. Photos that depict cold-weather recreational activities.

Weekly Challenge #677 (03/22/15 - 03/28/15) The Eyes Have It - Submitted by Jerry Austin. Images that show the amazing eyes of our animal and avian friends.

Weekly Challenge #676 (03/15/15 - 03/21/15) Two in Motion - Submitted by Ajit Huilgol. Action shots with at least two subjects, either the same species, or different.

Weekly Challenge #675 (03/08/15 - 03/14/15) Not Rule of Thirds - Submitted by Mark Seaver. Images where the main subject is not on a rule of thirds intersection.

Weekly Challenge #674 (03/01/15 - 03/07/15) Windy - Submitted by Eric Stensland. Photos that show the effects of wind in action, bending trees, grasses, or flowers, flying snow or rain, spray from wave tops, etc.

Weekly Challenge #673 (02/22/15 - 02/28/15) Ice Macroscapes - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos that show intricate detail in ice.

Weekly Challenge #672 (02/15/15 - 02/21/15) Patterns - Submitted by Mark Seaver. An image where one or more patterns have a major role.

Weekly Challenge #671 (02/08/15 - 02/14/15) Famous Quotes - Submitted by Sharon Lane. The image immediately brings to mind or embodies a famous (or not so famous) quote. Indicate the quote source (or give the quote) in the description.

Weekly Challenge #670 (02/01/15 - 02/07/15) Say Ahhhhh - Submitted by Mark Seaver. Any image that speaks of peace, relaxation, or is calming to look at.

Weekly Challenge #669 (01/18/15 - 01/24/15) Evergreens in Winter - Submitted by John Tobias. Photos of evergreens in a winter setting.

Weekly Challenge #668 (01/11/15 - 01/17/15) Snow Shadows - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos of that include shadows on snow.

Weekly Challenge #667 (01/04/15 - 01/10/15) New Years Day - Submitted by John Tobias. Photos taken on the first day of 2015!

Weekly Challenge #666 (12/21/14 - 01/03/15) The Best of 2014 - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Post your favorite photos of 2014!

Weekly Challenge #665 (12/14/14 - 12/20/14) Nature Imperfect - Submitted by Mark Seaver. The natural world is full of imperfections, yet we photographers focus on the perfect or create a perfect photo using the clone tool. Show us images where the imperfections play an important role in telling the story of the plant, animal, or location.

Weekly Challenge #664 (12/07/14 - 12/13/14) Small in the Frame - Submitted by Ajit Huilgol. The main subject of the photo small in the frame.

Weekly Challenge #663 (11/30/14 - 12/06/14) Signs of Aging - Submitted by Ed Williams. Older animals, huge trees, tattered wings of butterflies, etc.

Weekly Challenge #662 (11/23/14 - 11/29/14) Hometown Autumn - Submitted by Mark Seaver. Photos of autumn scenes taken in your home town.

Weekly Challenge #661 (11/16/14 - 11/22/14) Fog on the Water - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. With the arrival of cooler air, fog often forms over lakes, ponds, etc. Post you photos showing fog on the water!

Weekly Challenge #660 (11/09/14 - 11/15/14) Leaves - Submitted by Mark Seaver. Images that focus on a single or a few leaves. Although it's fall now, leaves in any season are fine.

Weekly Challenge #659 (11/02/14 - 11/08/14) Rock Art - Continued! - Submitted by Carolyn Derstine. Frame-filling images that show the colors, designs, textures, that can be found in natural rocks and/or minerals.

Weekly Challenge #658 (10/26/14 - 11/01/14) Rock Art - Submitted by Carolyn Derstine. Frame-filling images that show the colors, designs, textures, that can be found in natural rocks and/or minerals.

Weekly Challenge #657 (10/19/14 - 10/25/14) Macro "What Is It?" - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Macro images of natural objects that are not easily identifiable. Be sure to let us know by the end of the week what the subject is!

Weekly Challenge #656 (10/12/14 - 10/18/14) Cloudscapes - Submitted by Doug Koepsel. Nothing but clouds, no land.

Weekly Challenge #655 (10/05/14 - 10/11/14) Pets - Submitted by Carolyn Derstine. Photos of your family pet(s)!

Weekly Challenge #654 (09/28/14 - 10/04/14) Camera Movement Abstract - Submitted by Carolyn Derstine. Abstract images created with camera movement.

Weekly Challenge #653 (09/21/14 - 09/27/14) Peak Highlights - Submitted by Paul Breitkreuz. Mountain or foothill peaks, ridges, or tops being highlighted by sunlight with the rest of the scene dark or shadowed.

Weekly Challenge #652 (09/14/14 - 09/20/14) People, Objects & Places - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Open to all on nature photos that depect people, an object or a place.

Weekly Challenge #651 (09/07/14 - 09/13/14) Oldie but Goldie - Submitted by Carol Nichols. Photos that you took at least five years ago that still hold a place in your heart.

Weekly Challenge #650 (08/31/14 - 09/06/14) Fog - Submitted by Buck Ward. Photos depicting fog.

Weekly Challenge #649 (08/24/14 - 08/30/14) Caught in Mid-leap - Submitted by Carolyn Derstine. Animals caught with all feet off the ground while leaping.

Weekly Challenge #648 (08/17/14 - 08/23/14) Alphabet Soup - Submitted by Ed Williams. Natural objects/animals/insects that look like letters in any alphabet. Be sure to tell us what the letter is and what alphabet it is from!

Weekly Challenge #647 (08/10/14 - 08/16/14) The Eyes Have It - Submitted by Jerry Austin. Close-up photos of bird and other wildlife eyes.

Weekly Challenge #646 (08/03/14 - 08/09/14) Moving Water - Submitted by Mark Seaver. Photos of water in motion.

Weekly Challenge #645 (07/27/14 - 08/02/14) Heat - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Images that depitct the heat of summer!

Weekly Challenge #644 (07/20/14 - 07/26/14) Fauna Landscapes - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos that depict fauna in a landscape setting.

Weekly Challenge #643 (07/13/14 - 07/19/14) Wetlands - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos taken in areas that are designated wetlands.

Weekly Challenge #642 (07/06/14 - 07/12/14) Abstracts and Extracts - Submitted by Bill Fach. Find graphic compositions or extract one from a larger scene.

Weekly Challenge #641 (06/29/14 - 07/05/14) First Impressions - Submitted by Lon Overacker. A very first photo of a favorite natural subject. Search your archives--or come up with a new favorite!

Weekly Challenge #640 (06/22/14 - 06/28/14) Green - Submitted by Larry Johnson. Images that feature the color green.

Weekly Challenge #639 (06/15/14 - 06/21/14) My Backyard - Submitted by Rebecka Lovell. Photos taken near or in one's backyard.

Weekly Challenge #638 (06/08/14 - 06/14/14) Droplets - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Droplets of water on a leaf or any other surface.

Weekly Challenge #637 (06/01/14 - 06/07/14) Swarms, Flocks & Herds - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos of animals or insects in great numbers.

Weekly Challenge #636 (05/25/14 - 05/31/14) Silhouettes - Submitted by Sandy Richards/Carol Hyman. Any natural subject in sihouette--either color or B&W.

Weekly Challenge #635 (05/18/14 - 05/24/14) Group Shots - Submitted by Buck Ward. Examples: A covey of quail, a flock of sheep, alpaca, birds, a herd of elk, a swarm of mosquitoes--anything that congregates in a group.

Weekly Challenge #634 (05/11/14 - 05/17/14) Spring Macro - Submitted by Carolyn Derstine. Maco/close-up photos of emerging buds, insect life, etc.

Weekly Challenge #633 (05/04/14 - 05/10/14) Shadows - Submitted by Philip Noll. Any photo using shadows as a primary element.

Weekly Challenge #632 (04/27/14 - 05/03/14) Quiet Water - Submitted by Miro Susta. Still bodies of water; ponds, puddles, even droplets.

Weekly Challenge #631 (04/20/14 - 04/26/14) Photographers in the Field - Submitted by Jim Goldstein. Post photos of your fellow photographers in the field posing or in the middle of catching that perfect shot.

Weekly Challenge #630 (04/13/14 - 04/19/14) April Showers - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos depicting the first rain of spring.

Weekly Challenge #629 (04/06/14 - 04/12/14) Caught in Mid-leap - Submitted by Carolyn Derstine. Photos of insects or wildlife caught on frame in mid air.

Weekly Challenge #628 (03/30/14 - 04/05/14) Ababndoned - Submitted by Bill Perltzman. Solitary objects, or anything with the theme of abandonment.

Weekly Challenge #627 (03/23/14 - 03/29/14) Lone Tree - Submitted by Carolyn Derstine. Photos of a single tree, in the open by itself.

Weekly Challenge #626 (03/16/14 - 03/22/14) Back View of Flowers - Submitted by Carolyn Derstine. Just as the title states!

Weekly Challenge #625 (03/09/14 - 03/15/14) Movie Titles - Submitted by Todd Caudle. Photos that can be best described by the title of a theatrical release (Red Dawn, The Sining, Raising Arizona, etc.). Be sure to include the title as part of your post!

Weekly Challenge #624 (03/02/14 - 03/08/14) Cactus Scenes - Submitted by Paul Breitkreuz. Scenes that contain cactus.

Weekly Challenge #623 (02/23/14 - 03/01/14) Joy - Submitted by Bill Chambers. Photos that depict joy in nature - for either the subject or the photographer.

Weekly Challenge #622 (02/16/14 - 02/22/14) Winter Activities - Submitted by Wayne Jones. Images that present the feeling of "c-c-c-coldness" with typical winter activities of people skiing, sled-riding, building a snowman, hiking while obviously freezing.

Weekly Challenge #621 (02/09/14 - 02/15/14) Photographic Challenge - Submitted by Mark Seaver. Post a photo that was a processing challenge; post the finished photo as your main post, then the original photo (unprocessed) as a response. Be sure to describe the processing challenge and how you overcame it!

Weekly Challenge #620 (02/02/14 - 02/08/14) Ice texture - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos that depict texture on the surface of ice.

Weekly Challenge #619 (01/26/14 - 02/01/14) Shadow Patterns - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos that rely on a pattern of shadows as a primary compositional element.

Weekly Challenge #618 (01/19/14 - 01/25/14) Windowlight Still Life - submitted by Jim Erhardt. Using only window light and reflectors for illumination, bring your subject inside and create still life images.

Weekly Challenge #617 (01/12/14 - 01/18/14) Warm Thoughts - Submitted by Donna Erhardt. Warm, early morning light over a snow covered landscape; a group of friends gathered around a fireplace. All photos that convey warmth in the winter and fit in any of the NPN galleries!

Weekly Challenge #616 (01/05/14 - 01/11/14) Something New - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Post photos of subjects that you normally don't take. Be sure to explain how the subject is unusual for you!

Weekly Challenge #615 (12/15/13 - 01/04/14) Winter - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Post photos that depict the beauty of the coldest season! Please note that this WC runs for 3 weeks.

Weekly Challenge #614 (12/08/13 - 12/14/13) Pets - Submitted by Carolyn Derstine. Post your favorite photos of your pets!

Weekly Challenge #613 (12/01/13 - 12/07/13) Tough Shot to Make - Submitted by Mark Seaver. Post two photos; the first one being the result and the second one showing what made this a challenging shot. Describe what you did to overcome the challenge(s) and make a clean and attractive image.

Weekly Challenge #612 (11/24/13 - 11/30/13) Ground Perspective - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos taken with the camera on or within a few inches of the ground

Weekly Challenge #611 (11/17/13 - 11/23/13) Bad Plant/Good Photo - Submitted by Carolyn Derstine. Nice images of annoying weeds/invasive plants.

Weekly Challenge #610 (11/10/13 - 11/16/13) Creature Feature - Submitted by Lucy VanSwearingen. Bug or other creature, that is scary to look at or just creeps you out.

Weekly Challenge #609 (11/03/13 - 11/09/13) Autumn Fauna - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos of wildlife taken in an autumn setting.

Weekly Challenge #608 (10/21/13 - 11/02/13) Frost Close-ups - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Close-up photos of natural objects covered in frost.

Weekly Challenge #607 (10/20/13 - 10/26/13) Falling Leaf - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos that depict leaves falling from trees.

Weekly Challenge #606 (10/13/13 - 10/19/13) Texture - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos that rely on texture as the primary point of interest.

Weekly Challenge #605 (10/06/13 - 10/12/13) Lawn Macros - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Lawns are often more than just grass, especially when you take a close look!

Weekly Challenge #604 (09/29/13 - 10/05/13) From the Door - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. A photo taken from a doorway.

Weekly Challenge #603 (09/22/13 - 09/28/13) Rural Landscape - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Landscape photos that includes HOM.

Weekly Challenge #602 (09/15/13 - 09/21/13) POP - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Any photo suitable for NPN's People, Objects and Places gallery!

Weekly Challenge #601 (09/08/13 - 09/14/13) Over the Edge - Submitted by Ed Williams. Canyon views, photos from the mountain top, into a crater or a peek into a secret place.

Weekly Challenge #600 (09/01/13 - 09/07/13) Smoke - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos that include smoke.

Weekly Challenge #599 (08/25/13 - 08/31/13) Single Color Images - Submitted by Carolyn Derstine. Photos composed mainly of one color.

Weekly Challenge #598 (08/18/13 - 08/24/13) Camera Movement Abstract - Submitted by Carolyn Derstine. Images made while intentionally moving the camera.

Weekly Challenge #597 (08/11/13 - 08/17/13) Full Bloom - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Post your best flora photos!

Weekly Challenge #596 (08/04/13 - 08/10/13) Sensuous - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Nature photos that mimic the human form - while remaining G-rated!

Weekly Challenge #595 (07/28/13 - 08/03/13) Shot from a Moving Platform - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Nature photos taken from a moving car, boat, etc. Should show some motion blure in the foreground.

Weekly Challenge #594 (07/21/13 - 07/27/13) Vertical Panoramics - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Images that have at least a 2:1 vertical aspect ratio. Please limit total height of photo to 1,000 pixels.

Weekly Challenge #594 (07/21/13 - 07/27/13) Vertical Panoramics - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Images that have at least a 2:1 vertical aspect ratio. Please limit total height of photo to 1,000 pixels.

Weekly Challenge #593 (07/14/13 - 07/20/13) Chaos - Submitted by Donna Erhardt. Photos that depict chaos of pattern, texture, light, etc.

Weekly Challenge #592 (07/07/13 - 07/13/13) Macro - NOT! - Submitted by William Gillis. Macro images of things in nature EXCLUDING: Flowers, animals, reptiles and insects

Weekly Challenge #591 (06/30/13 - 07/06/13) Flooding - Submitted by Carolyn Derstine. Images that show floods and/or the effects on nature of flooding.

Weekly Challenge #590 (06/23/13 - 06/29/13) From the Road - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Nature photos that were taken from public access roads.

Weekly Challenge #589 (06/16/13 - 06/22/13) Droplet-oramas - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos of water droplets with reflections of the surroundings.

Weekly Challenge #588 (06/09/13 - 06/15/13) Webs - Submitted by Carolyn Derstine. Any photo containing some kind of natural web.

Weekly Challenge #587 (06/02/13 - 06/08/13) Over the Edge - Submitted by Ed Williams. Shots that are "over the edge" such as canyon views, or photos from the mountain top, or into a crater, or a peek into a secret place.

Weekly Challenge #586 (05/26/13 - 06/01/13) Moonscapes - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Landscape photos taken with only moon light.

Weekly Challenge #585 (05/19/13 - 05/25/13) Siesta - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos depicting wildlife napping during daylight.

Weekly Challenge #584 (05/12/13 - 05/18/13) After the Rain - Submitted by Carolyn Derstine. Photos of nature that were obviously taken after a rain shower.

Weekly Challenge #583 (05/05/13 - 05/11/13) Rock Art - Submitted by Carolyn Derstine. Frame-filling images that show the colors, designs, textures, that can be found in natural rocks and/or minerals.

Weekly Challenge #582 (04/28/13 - 05/04/13) Motor Vehicle Trails - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos of MV trails in an otherwise natural setting.

Weekly Challenge #581 (04/21/13 - 04/27/13) On the Water - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos taken from a body of water in a boat, canoe, etc.

Weekly Challenge #580 (04/14/13 - 04/20/13) Fruits & Vegetables - Submitted by Carolyn Derstine. Images where fruits and/or vegetables are the subject. Can be as seen in nature, at the market, or in an arranged still life.

Weekly Challenge #579 (04/07/13 - 04/13/13) Water's Edge Macro - Submitted by Carolyn Derstine. Close-up photos of nature seen along a water's edge (ocean, lake, river, etc.) Should have an obvious connection to the water such as shells, sea/lake/river animal and plant life, water-shaped rocks, etc.- not just a leaf that happened to be close to the water.

Weekly Challenge #578 (03/31/13 - 04/06/13) Zoo Action - Submitted by John Tobias. Zoo shots depicting action; wolves howling, birds flying, etc.

Weekly Challenge #577 (03/24/13 - 03/30/13) Unusual Macro - Submitted by William Gillis. Macro shots excluding the following subjects; flowers, animals, reptiles and insects.

Weekly Challenge #576 (03/17/13 - 03/23/13) Symmetry - Submitted by Charlie Baugh. Things in nature with very close proportion, conformity, form; two or more subjects forming a symmetrical pattern.

Weekly Challenge #575 (03/10/13 - 03/16/13) Murk - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos that depict reduced visabilty due to atmospheric conditions such as fog, mist, etc.

Weekly Challenge #574 (03/03/13 - 03/09/13) Death - Submitted by Charlie Baugh. Photos that depict the end of life; a fallen tree, a bone or skull, a predator harvesting a meal, etc.

Weekly Challenge #573 (02/24/13 - 03/02/13) Camouflage - Submitted by Ed Williams. Photos of insects or animals blending in with their environment.

Weekly Challenge #572 (02/17/13 - 02/23/13) Desirable Color Casts - Submitted by Steve Balke. Photos that have an obvious but pleasing color cast.

Weekly Challenge #571 (02/10/13 - 02/16/13) Favorite Mistake - Submitted by Lindy Martin. Photos that you think have an obvious flaw (technical or aesthetic) but that you like nonetheless. Explain what it is you like about the photo!

Weekly Challenge #570 (02/03/13 - 02/09/13) Sunflares - Submitted by Lucy VanSwearingen. Photos that include the sun in the frame.

Weekly Challenge #569 (01/27/13 - 02/02/13) Winter Macro - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. When most of us think of "macro," we usually think of summer subjects - insects, flora, etc. Can winter macro-photography be just as rewarding? Give it a try and show us your results!

Weekly Challenge #568 (01/20/13 - 01/26/13) Shadows - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Images in which shadows play an important compositional role.

Weekly Challenge #567 (01/13/13 - 01/19/13) Animal Tracks - Submitted by Carolyn Derstine. Photos of natural settings that include animal tracks in mud or snow.

Weekly Challenge #566 (01/06/13 - 01/12/13) Out of Season - Submitted by Jim DeWitt. A photo of a natural event occurring out of season. A thaw in mid-winter; a frost in mid-summer; a baby born early or late; a critter in the wrong plumage.

Weekly Challenge #565 (12/16/12 - 01/05/13) Red & Green - Submitted by Sandy Richards. Photos that are composed almost entirely of these colors.

Weekly Challenge #564 (12/09/12 - 12/15/12) B&W Flora - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. B&W photos of flowers, plants, trees, etc.

Weekly Challenge #563 (12/02/12 - 12/08/12) Fluffy - Submitted by Steve Balke. Photos of "fluffy" natural objects.

Weekly Challenge #562 (11/25/12 - 12/01/12) Wide Angle Wildlife - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Wide angle wildlife photos where the wildlife subject dominates the composition.

Weekly Challenge #561 (11/18/12 - 11/24/12) Past it's Prime - Submitted by Sandy Richards. Something old , shabby, dead/dying, on its way out - but still interesting.

Weekly Challenge #560 (11/11/12 - 11/17/12) Frost - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos that depict frost, either as close-up or part of a larger scene.

Weekly Challenge #559 (11/04/12 - 11/10/12) Snowflake Flowers - Submitted by Lucy VanSwearingen. Flowers still in bloom when the snow or ice has fallen.

Weekly Challenge #558 (10/28/12 - 11/03/12) Leaf Macro - Submitted by Carolyn Derstine. Close-up shots of leaves.

Weekly Challenge #557 (10/21/12 - 10/27/12) Ragged - Submitted by Lucy VanSwearingen. Natural objects with ragged edges.

Weekly Challenge #556 (10/14/12 - 10/20/12) Seasonal Transitions - Submitted by Carolyn Derstine. Photos that illustrate the transition of one season to the next. Can be of any of the seasons.

Weekly Challenge #555 (10/07/12 - 10/13/12) Cloudscapes - Submitted by Doug Koepsel. Photos that depict nothing but clouds, no land.

Weekly Challenge #554 (09/30/12 - 10/06/12) Composition Triplets - Submitted by Tom Stermitz. Photos that use three elements in a compostion.

Weekly Challenge #553 (09/23/12 - 09/29/12) A Spot of Color - Submitted by Carolyn Derstine. A scene that's largely monochrome or just flat-looking but with a single brightly colored element.

Weekly Challenge #552 (09/16/12 - 09/22/12) Eyes of the Beast - Submitted by David DesRochers. Close up photos of wildlife that show interesting or unusual eyes.

Weekly Challenge #551 (09/09/12 - 09/15/12) Beach Scenes - Submitted by Carolyn Derstine. Can include natural and man-made elements.

Weekly Challenge #550 (09/02/12 - 09/08/12) Substance over Form - Submitted by Carol Nichols. A photo that may not be technically terrific, but that has such emotional meaning to the photographer who took it that it ranks right up there with their best technical photos. Please explain why the photo means so much to you.

Weekly Challenge #549 (08/26/12 - 09/01/12) Parallel - Submitted by Kent Staubus. Two or more lines running alongside each other. Think of the banks of a river, cracks in lava, straight trees growing up, lines in a glacier, fibers in a plant.

Weekly Challenge #548 (08/19/12 - 08/25/12) Cellphone Masterpieces - Submitted by Charlie VanTassel. Photos good enough for display, taken with a cell phone. Other than the usual PS adjustments (contrast, levels, sharpening, etc.) no manipulation allowed. Be sure to state the phone used!

Weekly Challenge #547 (08/12/12 - 08/18/12) Bark - Submitted by Doug Koepsel. Photos where the entire frame depicts tree bark.

Weekly Challenge #546 (08/05/12 - 08/11/12) Drought - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos that depict drought conditions.

Weekly Challenge #545 (07/28/12 - 08/04/12) Alone - Submitted by Lucy VanSwearingen. Nature photos that depict the feeling of being alone.

Weekly Challenge #544 (07/22/12 - 07/28/12) Reflections Only - Submitted by Richard Rouch. Nature photos that are composed entirely of reflections.

Weekly Challenge #543 (07/15/12 - 07/21/12) Bug Eyed - Submitted by Sandy Richard. Post your macro shots of insect faces!

Weekly Challenge #542 (07/08/12 - 07/14/12) Your Favorite Mistake - Submitted by Lindy Martin. Submit your favorite mistake. Images should include a technical or obvious mistake that you really like despite of it.

Weekly Challenge #541 (07/01/12 - 07/07/12) Red, White and Blue - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Nature photos (no "hand of man") that include each of these three colors!

Weekly Challenge #540 (06/24/12 - 06/30/12) Garden Scenes - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos taken in or around gardens. Don't limit your submissions to just flowers!

Weekly Challenge #539 (06/17/12 - 06/23/12) New Icons - Submitted by Nancy Lea Sandy. We see so many images from the same predictable (albeit, beautiful) locations, or species. I think the time has come to find new "icons" Post your photos of a spectacular scene or composition of a little known or little photographed location or species.

Weekly Challenge #538 (06/10/12 - 06/16/12) One Year's Time - Submitted by Rob Graham. Two photos taken of the same scene from the same spot, one year apart. Show how the scene has changed in a year!

Weekly Challenge #537 (06/03/12 - 06/09/12) Sunflares - Submitted by Lucy VanSwearingen. Photos that use sunflare as an intentional part of the composition.

Weekly Challenge #536 (05/27/12 - 06/02/12) Desirable Color Casts - Submitted by Steve Balke. Images where a particular color affects the whole image uniformly, occurs naturally and is considered desirable (example: a color cast from morning light).

Weekly Challenge #535 (05/20/12 - 05/26/12) Fences - Submitted by Sandy Richards. Photos that include man-made fences.

Weekly Challenge #534 (05/13/12 - 05/19/12) Analogous Color Scheme - Submitted by Jay Patel. Analogous Colors are colors that are next to one another on a color wheel. For example, blue and green are analogous colors… as are orange and yellow. For this week’s challenge, share images with an analogous color scheme.

Weekly Challenge #533 (05/06/12 - 05/12/12) Monochromatic Color Scheme - Submitted by Varina Patel. Monochrome isn’t just black and white! Share images with a single color in varying tones and shades. A brilliant yellow sunset with golden grasses in the foreground. A cerulean (blue) sky over an azure (also blue) lake. Black and white images are acceptable as well.

Weekly Challenge #532 (04/29/12 - 05/05/12) Storming - Submitted by Mark Seaver. Photos depicting stormy weather.

Weekly Challenge #531 (04/22/12 - 04/28/12) Funny animals - Submitted by Lucy VanSwearingen. Funny positions, expressions, etc.

Weekly Challenge #530 (04/15/12 - 04/21/12) Wildlife in Town - Submitted by John Tobias. Wildlife photos taken in urban settings (the setting must show the urban environment!).

Weekly Challenge #529 (04/08/12 - 04/14/12) Green and Blue - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos that include large areas of both colors.

Weekly Challenge #528 (04/01/12 - 04/07/12) Last Signs of Winter - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos that depict the end of winter.

Weekly Challenge #527 (03/25/12 - 03/31/12) Tree Trunk Faces - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. We've all seen them - faces in the trunks of big, old trees. Post 'em if you have 'em!

Weekly Challenge #526 (03/18/12 - 03/24/12) Contrast in Size - Submitted by Jay Patel. Images with similar subjects that distinctly show differences in size. Forget-me-not’s and sunflowers, infant trees growing near their towering cousins, a puddle beside a lake, etc.

Weekly Challenge #525 (03/11/12 - 03/17/12) Abandoned Cars - Submitted by Roger Rouch. Abandoned cars or old farm gear left out in the field./P>

Weekly Challenge #524 (03/04/12 - 03/10/12) Beautiful Backgrounds - Submitted by Steve Balke. Backgrounds that are so pretty that the beauty of the image is shared between the background and the main subject.

Weekly Challenge #523 (02/26/12 - 03/03/12) Comical Flowers - Submitted by Carolyn Derstine. A photo of a flower that looks comical, makes you smile, looks like a cartoon character, etc. Also give it a descriptive and comical title if you wish.

Weekly Challenge #522 (02/19/12 - 02/25/12) Blowing in the Wind - Submitted by Sandy Richards. Photos depicting wind or movement from breezes.

Weekly Challenge #521 (02/12/12 - 02/18/12) Storming - Submitted by Mark Seaver. Pictures taken during bad weather, describe how you protected your equipment.

Weekly Challenge #520 (02/05/12 - 02/11/12) Heatscapes - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos landscapes that convey extreme heat!

Weekly Challenge #519 (01/29/12 - 02/04/12) Icescapes - Submitted by Richard Rouch. Photos of ice-covered landscapes!

Weekly Challenge #518 (01/22/12 - 01/28/12) Serenity - Submitted by Sandy Richards. A photo that conveys a feeling of serenity.

Weekly Challenge #517 (01/15/12 - 01/21/12) Subtle Changes - Submitted by Mark Seaver. Post two images* where subtle changes make one better than the other. Could be moving a few steps left or right, adjusting the zoom, sun popping out from behind clouds, etc.. There should not be major time differences (less than 15 minutes), distance changes (10 yards or meters), or lens changes between the two. Describe the change. *Post the improved (second) image first and then the orignial image (that was inproved upon) as the first reply in your thread.

Weekly Challenge #516 (01/08/12 - 01/14/12) A Single Point of Interest - Submitted by Varina Patel. Images where a single element gets all the attention. Explain what you were thinking as you set up your shot - and any field or processing techniques you used to help direct and focus the attention of the viewer.

Weekly Challenge #515 (12/18/11 - 01/07/12) Your Best Shot of 2011. Post your best shot taken in 2011! This theme will runs for 3 weeks during which time the NPN moderators make their recommendations for the 2011 Editor's Pick Awards.

Weekly Challenge #514 (12/11/11 - 12/17/11) Birth - Submitted by Charlie Baugh. Photos that show the birth or emergence of life.

Weekly Challenge #513 (12/04/11 - 12/10/11) Strange Bedfellows - Submitted by Lucy VanSwearingen. Animals or things that you would never expect to be near each other...such as predator and prey or cactus and tropical plant.

Weekly Challenge #512 (11/27/11 - 12/03/11) Rim Lighting - Submitted by Lorna Taylor. Natural subjects with backlighting.

Weekly Challenge #511 (11/20/11 - 11/26/11) Abandoned - Submitted by Carol Hyman. Abandoned and derelict buildings in a natural setting such as a field, forest, etc.

Weekly Challenge #510 (11/13/11 - 11/19/11) To Drip or Not to Drip - Submitted by Steve Balke. Images including water droplets clinging to plants and animals or by themselves.

Weekly Challenge #509 (11/06/11 - 11/12/11) Abstracts - Submitted by Mark Seaver. Can be close or far, recognizable or not. The emphasis needs to be on the lines, textures, shapes, etc., not the greater subject.

Weekly Challenge #508 (10/30/11 - 11/05/11) The Rule of Thirds - Submitted by Varina Patel. Images in which you have used the rule of thirds in your composition. Is the horizon at the top third? Do you have a point of interest placed along the intersection of the horizontal and vertical thirds? Explain how and why you used this most basic of compositional rules.

Weekly Challenge #507 (10/23/11 - 10/29/11) Long Exposure - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos that were taken with a shutter speed of 1 second or longer.

Weekly Challenge #506 (10/16/11 - 10/22/11) Private Lands - Submitted by Mark Seaver. Most of our images are taken on public lands or in our own yards. There are also private organizations and individuals dedicated to conservation. Use this as an opportunity to share pictures taken on these private grounds (with permission to access as needed). Please indicate the organization or person who has provided this opportunity in your description.

Weekly Challenge #505 (10/09/11 - 10/15/11) Rivers and Streams - Submitted by Mark Seaver. Pictures where the river or stream is either the major element or a vital part of the composition.

Weekly Challenge #503 (10/02/11 - 10/08/11) Birds vs. Flowers - Submitted by Sandy Richards. For all of a bird photographers, post a photo of a floral subject. For all of our floral photographers, post a photo of a bird!

Weekly Challenge #502 (09/25/11 - 10/01/11) Ripples - Submitted by Mark Seaver. Could be sand, water, clouds, fields of grass waving in the wind, etc.

Weekly Challenge #501 (09/18/11 - 09/24/11) Feather - Submitted by Charlie Baugh. Photos of a single feather.

Weekly Challenge #500 (09/11/11 - 09/17/11) My Local Park - Submitted by Sandy Richards. Photos of your local park taken in the last 30 days.

Weekly Challenge #499 (09/04/11 - 09/10/11) Roads and Paths - Submitted by Mark Seaver. We dislike roads in our landscapes, but they're critical for getting to great locations. Paths are more acceptable, but also very important for access. Post your photos of paths and roads through nature!

Weekly Challenge #498 (08/28/11 - 09/03/11) Just the Right Moment - Submitted by Rob Graham. Post a photo and a reply photo showing the same scene with one showing a much stronger photo because of the right timing.

Weekly Challenge #497 (08/21/11 - 08/27/11) Through the Window - Submitted by Sandy Richards. Photos taken through a Window", either natural or man made.

Weekly Challenge #496 (08/14/11 - 08/20/11) Extremes - Submitted by Paul D. Can be anything that's at its limit.

Weekly Challenge #495 (08/07/11 - 08/13/11) Rain - Submitted by Sandy Richards. Photos taken of or in rain.

Weekly Challenge #494 (07/31/11 - 08/06/11) Green - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos that include plenty of this color!

Weekly Challenge #493 (07/24/11 - 07/30/11) Going, Going, Gone - Submitted by Steve Balke. Photos where the subject decides to vacate the premises just as the image is captured. The image should include the subject (i.e. not just an empty branch for a bird)……or at least part of the subject.

Weekly Challenge #492 (07/17/11 - 07/23/11) Heat - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos that depict heat.

Weekly Challenge #491 (07/10/11 - 07/16/11) Flash Images: the Good, Bad and the Ugly - Submitted by Steve Balke. Photos where flash contributed significantly to the quality of the image and possibly even to the action of the subject. Examples can include: over-flashed images, images where the animal is obviously spooked by the flash, images where fill flash really works and the flash is not discernible.

Weekly Challenge #490 (07/03/11 - 07/09/11) Red, White and Blue - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Nature photos that include all three of these colors!

Weekly Challenge #489 (06/26/11 - 07/02/11) Light Up the Sky - Submitted by Paul DeCesare. Photos where the subject is to be mostly the sky showing anything from a fiery sunrise/sunset, lightning, astrophotography, Northern Lights, etc.

Weekly Challenge #488 (06/19/11 - 06/25/11) Humanoid - Submitted by Lucy Van Swearingen. Photo of a natural object that looks like a human.

Weekly Challenge #487 (06/12/11 - 06/18/11) Freeze, Partner - Submitted by Steve Balke. Images where we would not normally realize the actual action happening without the help of a high shutter speed. Examples include: splashing water, prey capture, etc.

Weekly Challenge #486 (06/05/11 - 06/11/11) Urban Nature - Submitted by Dennis Plank. A nature image with a decidedly urban background or where an urban feature is a prominent part of the composition.

Weekly Challenge #485 (05/29/11 - 06/04/11) Like a Sore Thumb - Submitted by Steve Balke. Images where the subject of the image “sticks out like a sore thumb” from its background. This can include cases where this is accomplished by camera techniques or by post processing to overcome a really busy background.

Weekly Challenge #484 (05/22/11 - 05/28/11) Local Icons - Submitted by Scott Lanz. A photo of popular local destination or subject, mething that may not have national or worldwide recognition, but is well kown locally or regionally.

Weekly Challenge #483 (05/15/11 - 05/21/11) Microscapes - Submitted by Linnett Long. A photo taken within a 2 foot square space. Not necessarily a macro, but a small "space" in a big word.

Weekly Challenge #482 (05/08/11 - 05/14/11) Out of Context - Submitted by Jim Dewitt. A photo in which one or more of the elements are decidedly out of place.

Weekly Challenge #481 (05/01/11 - 05/07/11) Caught By Surprise - Submitted by Carol Nichols. A quick grab of a subject that suprised you, a spur-of-the-moment shot.

Weekly Challenge #480 (04/24/11 - 04/30/11) My Backyard - Submitted by Rebecka Lovell. Photos taken near or in one's backyard.

Weekly Challenge #479 (04/17/11 - 04/23/11) Sands of Time - Submitted by Eva McDermott. Anything sand related, from beaches to dunes.

Weekly Challenge #478 (04/10/11 - 04/16/11) Name That Tune! - Submitted by Tony Kuyper. You supply the photo. It should represent the title of a popular song, which we the viewers must guess in the comments. Your title should not give away the song title, but can give a hint.

Weekly Challenge #477 (04/03/11 - 04/09/11) The Blues - Submitted by Stan Rose/Sandy Richards. A photo in which the predominant color or mood is blue.

Weekly Challenge #476 (03/27/11 - 04/02/11) 11 Years of NPN - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos that in some way or another show 11 - eleven flowers in the frame, natural objects in the shape of the number 11, etc.

Weekly Challenge #475 (03/20/11 - 03/26/11) Silhouettes - Submitted by Sandy Richards/Carol Hyman. Any natural subject in sihouette--either color or B&W.

Weekly Challenge #474 (03/13/11 - 03/19/11) Spring into Spring - Submitted by Stan Rose. Subjects that inspire the first few weeks of the new season.

Weekly Challenge #473 (03/06/11 - 03/12/11) What is It? - Submitted by Gary Marquat. Photos of nature subjects that aren't too obvious what they are, can consist of extreme close-ups of just part of a subject, and commentors can try to guess the subject.

Weekly Challenge #472 (02/27/11 - 03/05/11) Violent Weather - Submitted by Phil Schwarz. Photos depicting violent weather. Anything from floods, lightning, tornados, hurricanes, etc. where the central focus is violent weather.

Weekly Challenge #471 (02/20/11 - 02/26/11) Damaged Goods - Submitted by Charlie Baugh. A natural subject that has been damaged, from mountain with tops blown off, to a butterfly with a broken wing.

Weekly Challenge #470 (02/13/11 - 02/19/11) Unique - Submitted by Charlie Baugh. A subject that has likely never been photographed before (or a common subject photographed in a unique way).

Weekly Challenge #469 (02/06/11 - 02/12/11) Unusual Angles - Submitted by Lucy VanSwearingen. A photo taken at an unusual or extreme angle or vantage point.

Weekly Challenge #468 (01/30/11 - 02/05/11) Eye to Eye - Submitted by Monica Siri. A shot in which the subject is looking directy into the camera.

Weekly Challenge #467 (01/23/11 - 01/29/11) So Bad it's Good! - Submitted by Stan Rose. You know those movies that are just so bad they become cult classics? Here's your chance for a favorite bad (either intentionally or not) shot to become famous!

Weekly Challenge #466 (01/16/11 - 01/22/11) Textures (continued) - Submitted by Doug Koepsel. Continuation of WC #463 - all photos posted are under #463 and this week are eligible.

Weekly Challenge #465 (01/09/11 - 01/15/11) First Impressions - Submitted by Lon Overacker. A very first photo of a favorite natural subject. Search your archives--or come up with a new favorite!

Weekly Challenge #464 (01/02/11 - 01/08/11) Rainbow Colors - Submitted by Monica Siri. A shot of a literal rainbow, or one that contains as many rainbow colors as possible.

Weekly Challenge #463 (12/20/10 - 01/01/11) Textures - Submitted by Doug Koepsel. A photo in which texture is an important or strongest part of the composition.

Weekly Challenge #462 (12/12/10 - 12/18/10) Minimalism - Submitted by Mel Ladewig. Final WC of 2010! Go as minimal as possible in this week's theme!

Weekly Challenge #461 (12/05/10 - 12/11/10) Nesting - Submitted by Paula Dittrick. Natural images that encompass the theme of "nesting"; from the literal birds nest to parental care or even nested images--use your imagination!

Weekly Challenge #460 (11/28/10 - 12/04/10) Humor Me - Submitted by Mia. Submit a funny photo and let the viewers supply a funny title for it! The winner will be partially judged by the quality of the proposed captions.

Weekly Challenge #459 (11/21/10 - 11/27/10) Big and Little - Submitted by Lon Sharp. A large and small subject within the same nature photo.

Weekly Challenge #458 (11/14/10 - 11/20/10) Naturally Monochromatic - Submitted by Lon Sharp. . A subject that is naturally subdued in color. Saturation can be reduced in processing, but the shot should not be converted to monochrome--it should be "naturally" so.

Weekly Challenge #457 (11/07/10 - 11/13/10) Photographers - Submitted by Sandy Richards. A photo of another nature photographer in action.

Weekly Challenge #456 (10/31/10 - 11/06/10) H2O Flow - Submitted by Philip Schwarz. A photo that illustrates the effects of water seepage (for example, ice or mineral formations, or drainage channels).

Weekly Challenge #455 (10/24/10 - 10/30/10) What the ?!?!? - Submitted by Charles Caudle. A photo that inspires the reaction in the theme title! Either something unusual, surprising, shocking, or just plain indescribable.

Weekly Challenge #454 (10/17/10 - 10/23/10) Boo! - Submitted by Sandy Richards. Submit your favorite scary/halloween-themed photo of a natural subject. Orange and black colors, leaves, pumpkins, scarecrows, candy, Trick or Treat, goblins.

Weekly Challenge #453 (10/10/10 - 10/16/10) Fall Colors - Submitted by Stan Rose. Enter your favorite fall colors photo this week.

Weekly Challenge #452 (10/03/10 - 10/09/10) Offshore - Submitted by Wain Barnes. Any photo taken off of land--either while wading/swimming, or from a boat--but offshore.

Weekly Challenge #451 (09/26/10 - 10/02/10) Postcard - Submitted by Stuart Williams. Images that would inspire the viewer to remark, "this would make a great postcard."

Weekly Challenge #450 (09/19/10 - 09/25/10) Nocturnal - Submitted by David Lester. . Any natural scene or subject taken after nightfall (twilight doesn't count).

Weekly Challenge #449 (09/12/10 - 09/18/10) Opposites Attract - Submitted by Stan Rose. A variation of my popular "telephone" theme: this time, like last, I supply the initial photo. Unlike the last version, this time the person who follows must submit a photo which they feel is completely opposite the preceding post. For example, if I submit a Black and White shot of a black cat, maybe you could then submit a color photo of a white dog?? Of course, the next post in theory could seesaw back to the cat (but maybe in this version the cat will be a tiger...) First poster in time determines the next post. Use your imagination!

Weekly Challenge #448 (09/05/10 - 09/11/10) Favorite Places - Submitted by Stan Rose. A representative photo of a favorite place or subject.

Weekly Challenge #447 (08/29/10 - 09/04/10) Trip to the Zoo - Submitted by John Tobias. Either photos of the zoo or wildlife park itself, or the animals themselves, in a restricted environment.

Weekly Challenge #446 (08/22/10 - 08/28/10) Navigational Aids - Submitted by David Cobb. From lighthouses to the moon, anything that assists in navigation.

Weekly Challenge #445 (08/15/10 - 08/21/10) Layers - Submitted by Carol Nichols. Any image that shows distinct layers or layering.

Weekly Challenge #444 (08/08/10 - 08/14/10) High Noon - Submitted by Mark Stahlke. Nature photo taken well outside of the "magic hours".

Weekly Challenge #443 (08/01/10 - 08/07/10) Man Made Nature - Submitted by Mike Lotito. From plastic flamingoes to lawn deers, or even fake flowers--show us the natural artificial!

Weekly Challenge #442 (07/25/10 - 07/31/10) State or National Symbols - Submitted by Rob Graham. Official flowers or animals, or natural objects that have been adopted as a symbol by a political entity.

Weekly Challenge #441 (07/18/10 - 07/24/10) Days Gone By - Submitted by Rich Olsen. Old buildings, rusted equipment, run down fences, or any deteriorating subject in a natural setting.

Weekly Challenge #440 (07/11/10 - 07/17/10) Tracks - Submitted by Phil Schwarz. Tracks as a major focus of the photo. Can be made by people, rocks, animals, etc, and can be in the snow, mud, sand etc.

Weekly Challenge #439 (07/04/10 - 07/10/10) Camping - Submitted by Timothy Epp. Anything related to "camping"; from photos of tents, to campsites, campgrounds, etc.

Weekly Challenge #438 (06/27/10 - 07/03/10) Three of a Kind - Submitted by Sandy Richards. A trio as a subject, three of anything, from animals to plants to rocks.

Weekly Challenge #437 (06/20/10 - 06/26/10) Where's Waldo? - Submitted by Keith Anderson. An image of a large scale grouping or pattern that hides the 'true' subject. The 'true' subject should be obvious once found.

Weekly Challenge #436 (06/13/10 - 06/19/10) Fastest Finger! - Submitted by Stan Rose. The first person who posts a photo in the challenge (after Midnight, Saturday, GMT) determines the theme. Anyone who posts after that must adhere to the theme represented by the first photo posted, but anyone is entitled to interpret the subject of the theme in their own individual way. The first poster is eligible for the Weekly Pick.

Weekly Challenge #435 (06/06/10 - 06/12/10) Save The Planet - Submitted by Mia. Post a photo that delivers a message inspired by the recent Gulf of Mexico oil spill tragedy.

Weekly Challenge #434 (05/30/10 - 06/05/10) Cascades - Submitted by Helio Cristavao. Small waterfalls or tumbling water.

Weekly Challenge #433 (05/23/10 - 05/29/10) Message in a Bottle - Submitted by Stan Rose . If you could send one of your nature photos in a spaceship headed for some distant galaxy and potential alien civilization, which would it be and why?

Weekly Challenge #432 (05/16/10 - 05/22/10) Yum! - Submitted by Avi Hirshfield. A photo with "food" as a primary theme.

Weekly Challenge #431 (05/09/10 - 05/15/10) Windy - Submitted by Eric Stensland. From blowing snow, to twisted trees or mountain clouds, phtoos that depict the power of wind.

Weekly Challenge #430 (05/02/10 - 05/08/10) Blurred Motion - Submitted by Neil Rossmiller. A photo incorporating motion blur as a strong characteristic of the photo.

Weekly Challenge #429 (04/25/10 - 05/01/10) Cycles - Submitted by Stan Rose/Stuart Williams/Reba Franklin. In nature, there are cycles everywhere. From birth to death, seasonal changes, or even the flow of water. Show us a photo that depicts some kind of cycle in nature.

Weekly Challenge #428 (04/18/10 - 04/24/10) National Parks - Submitted by Eric Vaughan. Any shot taken in one of the national parks either in America or elsewhere, either a grand scenic shot or intimate scene. Include the parks's name in the title.

Weekly Challenge #427 (04/11/10 - 04/17/10) Star Gazer - Submitted by Eric Vaughan. A shot with stars in it.

Weekly Challenge #426 (04/04/10 - 04/10/10) Ha Ha!! - Submitted by Carol Nichols. A photo that is intended to make the viewer laugh or smile.

Weekly Challenge #425 (03/28/10 - 04/03/10) Sense of Smell - Submitted by Reba Franklin. A photo pertaining to the olfactory, natural stuff that smells good or bad, or that reminds you of a specific smell.

Weekly Challenge #424 (03/21/10 - 03/27/10) Low Light - Submitted by Peter Conway. Images shot in very low light, to the point where there's almost not enough to capture the shot.

Weekly Challenge #423 (03/14/10 - 03/20/10) Song Titles - Submitted by Kathy Odiorne. A repeat of a popular theme, a photo that relates to the title of a popular song or piece of music. Include the song title in the title.

Weekly Challenge #422 (03/07/10 - 03/13/10) Brrrr!! - Submitted by Phil Schwarz. A photo that say's "it's really cold out here!"

Weekly Challenge #421 (02/28/10 - 03/06/10) De Vine - Submitted by Mia. Images that have vines in them. Vine covered trees, vines creeping along the ground, draping over things. Fruit of the vine. Any thing "De Vine".

Weekly Challenge #420 (02/21/10 - 02/27/10) DragonQuest - Submitted by Mia. Anything ressembling a dragon, from gragonflies, komodo lizards, even clouds.

Weekly Challenge #419 (02/14/10 - 02/20/10) Lone Tree - Submitted by David Cobb. Any photo of a lone or isolated tree, in any natural setting.

Weekly Challenge #418 (02/07/10 - 02/13/10) Underground - Submitted by Phil Noll. A photo taken in a cave, tunnel, mine or any underground setting.

Weekly Challenge #417 (01/31/10 - 02/06/10) Leading Lines - Submitted by Bill Brennan. A photo that uses strong leading lines as a primary aspect of the photo.

Weekly Challenge #416 (01/24/10 - 01/30/10) Patterns - Submitted by Phil Schwarz. Patterns in nature, a photo where the primary attribute is thepattern of a natural scene or object.

Weekly Challenge #415 (01/17/10 - 01/23/10) Twins - Submitted by Reba Franklin. Two of a kind, two related objects side by side.

Weekly Challenge #414 (01/10/10 - 01/16/10) Alphabet Soup - Submitted by Reba Franklin/Kathy Odiorne. Things in nature shaped like some letter of the alphabet (title should include the letter in some way).

Weekly Challenge #413 (01/03/10 - 01/09/10) Telephone - Submitted by Stan Rose. Remember this game? Well, here's the Weekly Challenge Version: I submit the original photo. The next person who posts must post a photo incorporating some subject from the original photo (If I post a shot of a waterfall at sunset, you must then post a shot that either has a waterfall, sunset or both) The idea is to keep the posts coming. Photos will be judged primarily on their creativity and teamwork. If two people post at the same time, the most recent entry determines the next post.

Weekly Challenge #412 (12/20/09 - 01/02/10) 2009 - Submitted by Stan Rose. First WC of 2010! A photo that sums up 2009 in nature photography for you, either your best shot, or one that has meaning for you about this past year.

Weekly Challenge #411 (12/13/09 - 12/19/09) Bluebird Skies - Submitted by Floris van Breugel. Last WC of 2009! Images taken in completely cloud free conditions on clear sunny days. The photo need not contain the sky, but it can.

Weekly Challenge #410 (12/06/09 - 12/12/09) Still - Submitted by Stuart Williams. A moment when everything is utterly still, peace pervades the scene, you hold your breath so as not to disturb it.

Weekly Challenge #409 (11/29/09 - 12/05/09) Beaks, Bills, Noses - Submitted by Stuart Williams. From the obvious to rocks or other objects that resemble the nose.

Weekly Challenge #408 (11/22/09 - 11/28/09) Grassy - Submitted by Cezar Mart. Images where grass or grasses constitute a primary subject.

Weekly Challenge #407 (11/15/09 - 11/21/09) Rebirth - Submitted by Floris van Breugel. Images showing the cycle of life, in a literal or figurative way: from death to rebirth, Winter to Spring, or a hopeful transition.

Weekly Challenge #406 (11/08/09 - 11/14/09) Falling Water - Submitted by Paul Duval. Any type of falling water: rain, snow, waterfalls, cascades, etc.

Weekly Challenge #405 (11/01/09 - 11/07/09) Signs in Nature - Submitted by Carol Nichols. There are man-made signs everywhere. Some are made to be as beautiful as the scenery that surrounds them, some are made to blend into the scenery as much as possible, some can be quite funny and some are downright stupid.

Weekly Challenge #404 (10/25/09 - 10/31/09) Wired - Submitted by Phil Shchwarz. A wire or wires (barbed wire, telephone wires...) must be in the photo.

Weekly Challenge #403 (10/18/09 - 10/24/09) Close to Home - Submitted by Sandy Richards/Stan Rose. Any nature photo taken within a stones throw away from your primary residence, or even inside your house!

Weekly Challenge #402 (10/11/09 - 10/17/09) Signs of Fall - Submitted by Sandy Richards. The leaves changing, birds flying south, the elk rut, etc!

Weekly Challenge #401 (10/04/09 - 10/10/09) Cloudy - Submitted by Sandy Richards. Clouds or cloudiness as the only subject or primary subject of the photo.

Weekly Challenge #400 (09/27/09 - 10/03/09) Lunacy - Submitted by Stan Rose/Ron Richins. Any photo with the moon as a subject.

Weekly Challenge #399 (09/20/09 - 09/26/09) Scratch the Itch - Submitted by Dennis Plank. Either animals scratching themselves, or "scratching an itch" in the figurative sense; a photo taken that struck your fancy, fulfilling an urge that has to be scratched.

Weekly Challenge #398 (09/13/09 - 09/19/09) Best of the Week - Submitted by Stan Rose. Only photos taken this week are eligible: identify the time and location, you're on your honor but shots identifiable as being within the time period are encouraged!

Weekly Challenge #397 (09/06/09 - 09/12/09) In the Forest - Submitted by Miro Susta. Natural subject photographed in the woods.

Weekly Challenge #396 (08/30/09 - 09/05/09) Original Icons - Submitted by Stan Rose. Iconic locations or subjects presented in an unusual or original way.

Weekly Challenge #395 (08/23/09 - 08/29/09) Spur of the Moment - Submitted by Mitch Erwin. No time for a tripod--post your best hand-held shot, preferably an action shot, taken with little or no preparation.

Weekly Challenge #394 (08/16/09 - 08/22/09) Conflict in Nature - Submitted by Ron Bielefeld. Any struggle or conflict existing in nature, from animals in prey to plants fighting the elements.

Weekly Challenge #393 (08/09/09 - 08/15/09) Guess - Submitted by Rebecka Lovell. A photo where the subject is not readily identifiable: dont tell us what the subject is--let us guess!

Weekly Challenge #392 (08/02/09 - 08/08/09) Quiet Water - Submitted by Miro Susta. Still bodies of water; ponds, puddles, even droplets.

Weekly Challenge #391 (07/26/09 - 08/01/09) High Key - Submitted by Kent Mearig. Color or B&W photos that are high key; predominantly light or white toned.

Weekly Challenge #390 (07/19/09 - 07/25/09) Behinds - Submitted by Carol Nichols. Uncooperative animals shot from the backside, or people in nature photographed from behind.

Weekly Challenge #389 (07/12/09 - 07/18/09) The Long and Winding Road - Submitted by Morris McClung. Any road, figurative or literal leading to or from nature or a natural setting.

Weekly Challenge #388 (07/05/09 - 07/11/09) Funny Faces II - Submitted by Lia. Images of animals, birds, even insects that lok as though they are making a funny face at you.

Weekly Challenge #387 (06/28/09 - 07/04/09) Red, White and Blue - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Nature photos that include these three colors.

Weekly Challenge #386 (06/21/09 - 06/27/09) Serendipity - Submitted by David Sparks. The act of finding something valuable or delighful when you were not looking for it. For example, discovering an unusual pattern or surprise object long after the photo was taken, or while processing the shot.

Weekly Challenge #385 (06/14/09 - 06/20/09) Seen Better Days - Submitted by Pam Colander. Anything in a nature context that is in a state of ruin, neglect, or disrepair.

Weekly Challenge #384 (06/07/09 - 06/13/09) Light on White - Submitted by Gary Minish. From brightly lit snow to light on a swan's feathers, anything from macros to landscapes, any photo that has a white subject with light.

Weekly Challenge #383 (05/31/09 - 06/06/09) Inspired by NPN - Submitted by Philip Noll. A photo inspired by a fellow NPNer: tell who it is and how it inspired the shot!

Weekly Challenge #382 (05/24/09 - 05/30/09) Explosions - Submitted by Greg Cope. Anything depicting an explosion or explosive force, from crashing waves to an erupting volcano.

Weekly Challenge #381 (05/17/09 - 05/23/09) Shadows - Submitted by Philip Noll. Any photo using shadows as a primary element.

Weekly Challenge #380 (05/10/09 - 05/16/09) Wind and its Effects - Submitted by Erik Stensland. Photos that show the effect of wind on the landcape (eg, sandunes, twisted trees) or some aspect of the wind (windmills, soaring bird)--let your imagination fly!

Weekly Challenge #379 (05/03/09 - 05/09/09) Primary Colors in Nature - Submitted by Lon Sharp. Shots that feature prominently colors of red, green and blue.

Weekly Challenge #378 (04/26/09 - 05/02/09) It's Not Me - Submitted by Kenn Leonhardt. Any photo that deviates completely from your usual or typical syle: explain how it differs.

Weekly Challenge #377 (04/19/09 - 04/25/09) Ababndoned - Submitted by Bill Perltzman. Solitary objects, or anything with the theme of abandonment.

Weekly Challenge #376 (04/12/09 - 04/18/09) Pure Luck - Submitted by Philip Noll. An outstanding photo arrived at by pure chance, no planning involved, just being in the right place at the right time.

Weekly Challenge #375 (04/05/09 - 04/11/09) My Ride - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos of your vehicle in a natural setting.

Weekly Challenge #374 (03/29/09 - 04/04/09) Images Inspired by Other Artists - Submitted by Bruce Berman. Has a particular painter or other artist inspired your photography? Post your shot and explain how or why it was influenced by the style of this artist.

Weekly Challenge #373 (03/22/09 - 03/28/09) Unexpected Finds - Submitted by Carol Hyman. Finding an Object unexpectedly in the middle of nowhere, a surprising discovery.

Weekly Challenge #372 (03/15/09 - 03/21/09) Nature Still Life - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Natural objects used to ceate still life photos.

Weekly Challenge #371 (03/08/09 - 03/14/09) Rock My World - Submitted by Lia. A photo with a rock or rocks as the primary subject.

Weekly Challenge #370 (03/01/09 - 03/07/09) Faces in Nature - Submitted by Carol Nichols. Any nature photo that has a natural opbject (rock, tree, or even animal) that ressmbles a human face.

Weekly Challenge #369 (02/22/09 - 02/28/09) Fences & Barriers - Submitted by Rob Graham. Natural or manmade, any photo with a fence or barrier as a primary subject.

Weekly Challenge #368 (02/15/09 - 02/21/09) Ice is Nice - Submitted by Rob Graham. Any photo of frozen H2O.

Weekly Challenge #367 (02/08/09 - 02/14/09) Be My Valentine - Submitted by Carol Hyman. Photos for Valentines Day; themes of love, a photo of heart shaped objects, dominant red colors etc.

Weekly Challenge #366 (02/01/09 - 02/07/09) Self Portraits - Submitted by Stan Rose. Search your archives for your favorite photo showing you in nature, either a self-timed shot or photo of you taken by another photographer.

Weekly Challenge #365 (01/25/09 - 01/31/09) Winter Storms - Submitted by Stan Rose. Any photo depicting a winter storm or its effects; the storm doesnt have to have snow or ice (for a warm climate it could be rain or wind).

Weekly Challenge #364 (01/18/09 - 01/24/09) Movie Titles - Submitted by Todd Caudle. Photos that can be best described by the title of a theatrical release (Red Dawn, The Sining, Raising Arizona, etc.). Be sure to include the title as part of your post! This was the most popular posting at the beginning of 2008, so we thought we'd do a repeat ;^).

Weekly Challenge #363 (01/11/09 - 01/17/09) Parks - Submitted by Kent Johnson. Images from parks--local, state, National. Please specify the location and provide shooting data.

Weekly Challenge #362 (01/04/09 - 01/10/09) New Year's Photos - Submitted by Carol Hyman. Any images that depict either new year's eve or the new year. Please explain how the image portrays the New Year.

End of year break for the Editor's Pick Awards. During this break from the weekly picks, please feel free to post your holiday greeting cards!

Weekly Challenge #361 (12/07/08 - 12/13/08) One Photo - Submitted by Charlie Van Tassel. If the Apocalypse was coming and we all had to relocate to Mars, and you could only take one single photograph from your work files with you...which one would it be and why? Now I'm not talking about the photo of your wife, mom, or dog that you keep in your wallet ... but the best example of your "work" out of everything you have EVER done. Just one image! An explanation of why is not required but does add to the value when your image is reviewed by others. Basically I am looking to see the "Cream of the Crop" all in one week from our members.

Weekly Challenge #360 (11/30/08 - 12/06/08) Long Exposures - Submitted by Avi Hirschfield. Shots at dawn or dusk or possibly weather shots that require long exposures - a second or longer. Please be sure to include your shooting data.

Weekly Challenge #359 (11/23/08 - 11/29/08) Pests and Problems - Submitted by Ted Griffith. Images of pests and/or problems. Things like flys, aphids, dandilions, thistle, mistletoe, gophers, etc. Please state in the posting why you consider it a pest or problem.

Weekly Challenge #358 (11/16/08 - 11/22/08) Group Shots - Submitted by Buck Ward. Examples: A covey of quail, a flock of sheep, alpaca, birds, a herd of elk, a swarm of mosquitoes--anything that congregates in a group.

Weekly Challenge #357 (11/09/08 - 11/15/08) Black & White Images - Submitted by Sandy Richards. B&W nature photos!

Weekly Challenge #356 (11/02/08 - 11/08/08) Geologic Formations - Submitted by Pat Sampson. Hoodoos, strata, crystals, patterns on the earth surface, boulders, water polioshed rocks, lava. Describe what we are seeing.

Weekly Challenge #355 (10/26/08 - 11/01/08) Halloween - Submitted by Carol Hyman. Orange and black colors, leaves, pumpkins, scarecrows, candy, Trick or Treat, goblins.

Weekly Challenge #354 (10/19/08 - 10/25/08) Hard to See - Submitted by Lia. Images that show how well animals, birds, insects are camouflaged in their normal environment.

Weekly Challenge #353 (10/12/08 - 10/18/08) Emotions - Submitted by Wim Reyns. Take an image or look through your archives and find an image that evokes emotion. Describe the emotion pictured in your image.

Weekly Challenge #352 (10/05/08 - 10/11/08) Head Shots - Submitted by Danny Young. Head shots of animals, birds, bees, insects, but only their heads! No other body parts, please.

Weekly Challenge #351 (09/28/08 - 10/04/08) Onset of Autumn - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos that depict the change of season from summer to fall.

Weekly Challenge #350 (09/21/08 - 09/27/08) Your Favorite Nature Image - Submitted by Zack Schnepf. In your description please share why this is your favorite image.

Weekly Challenge #349 (09/14/08 - 09/20/08) Nature Photographers - Submitted by Ron Pullen. Create an image of yourself or another photographer(s) shooting a nature scene. No faces should be included in the shot.

Weekly Challenge #348 (09/07/08 - 09/13/08) Funny Faces - Submitted by Lia. Check your archives for images of animals, birds, even insects that look as though they are making funny faces at you.

Weekly Challenge #347 (08/31/08 - 09/06/08) Reclaimed by Nature - Submitted by Wim Reyns. Show us objects that are man made but have been completely taken over by nature.

Weekly Challenge #346 (08/24/08 - 08/30/08) Jig-saw Puzzle - Submitted by Curtis Knight. A nature scene that would make a good jog-saw puzzle. Examples might be Ponderosa Pine bark or Sycamore tree bark, possibly an Autumn leaf, or a peacock feather.

Weekly Challenge #345 (08/17/08 - 08/23/08) Symbiosis in Nature - Submitted by Gaurav Manglick. A pollinating bee, butterfly, or humming bird, coral, a clown fish among Anemones, a plover cleaning a crocodile's teeth, etc. Please explain the nature of the symbiosis in your description.

Weekly Challenge #344 (08/10/08 - 08/16/08) Heat - Submitted by Wayne Jones. Nature images representing heat. Fire. Heat Lightening. Creeks that have dried up. Fiery colors (not autumn colors) but dynamic oranges and reds. Dried flowers, trees that have been struck by lightening ...

Weekly Challenge #343 (08/03/08 - 08/09/08) Reflections - Submitted by Sandy Richards. Reflections on water and/or ice.

Weekly Challenge #342 (07/27/08 - 08/02/08) Faces in Nature - Submitted by Ron Pullen. You might see this face in a rock formation, a tree, possibly a flower. It might be a face of a human being or possibly and animal. Please sure to include specific information in your description.

Weekly Challenge #341 (07/20/08 - 07/26/08) Stitched Panoramics - Submitted by Wim Reyns. Panoramic shots created with multiple photos. Indicate how many photos were used to create the finished panoramic.

Weekly Challenge #340 (07/13/08 - 07/19/08) Emotions - Submitted by Wim Reyns. Show us an image that evokes an emotion with you, and tell us why--Anger, sadness, joy, etc.

Weekly Challenge #339 (07/06/08 - 07/12/08) Nature Displays of Warning - Submitted by Wayne Jones. Thorns on bushes, startling colors, snakes, rattles, fangs, low, low tides that come before a Tsunami hits land.

Weekly Challenge #338 (06/29/08 - 07/05/08) July 4th Celebrations - Submitted by Sandy Richards. Red, White, and Blue Colors, Fireworks

Weekly Challenge #337 (06/22/08 - 06/28/08) Slow Shutter Panning & Zooming - Submitted by Catherine Reilly. Zooming: Experiment with creative in-camera techniques to make your subject appear to be moving either toward you or away from you. Panning: Experiment with horizontal or vertical panning to create motion in your images. In your description please include shooting and processing data.

Weekly Challenge #336 (06/15/08 - 06/21/08) Summer Solstice - Submitted by Carol Hyman. June 20th, 23:59 GMT, The Longest Day of the Year--Anything that reminds us that this is the longest day of the year. Be sure to include the why behind your image in your description. Possible Ideas: te summer solstice, known variously throughout Europe as the Feast of Epona, Gathering Day, Johannistag, Litha, Vestalia and Midsummer, was viewed across cultures as a period of peak fertility and a time for weddings. The term "honeymoon" sprung from Celtic tradition and referred to the June moon after the fermented honey mead drunk at wedding celebrations. Shakespeare’s romantic comedy “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” commemorates the magical pairings of the solstice, and Aragorn and Arwen hold their nuptials on that night in Tolkein’s “Lord of the Rings” trilogy.

Weekly Challenge #335 (06/08/08 - 06/14/08) Patterns in Nature - Submitted by Nathan Buck. Rocks, leaves, cliffs, flower petals, etc.

Weekly Challenge #334 (06/01/08 - 06/07/08) City Life - Submitted by Wim Reyns. Animals, birds, or plants that have adapted to busy lifestyles. Examples, pigeons, foxes, deers, moose, bears or other animals that have moved into heavily inhabited areas; plants in container, green rooftops.

Weekly Challenge #333 (05/25/08 - 05/31/08) Fungi - Submitted by Bruce Berman. The world of Fungi includes many shooting opportunities: Club Fungi (Basidiomycota), Sac Fungi (Ascomycota), Lichens (Mycophycophyta), Conjugation Fungi (Zygomycota), Imperfect Fungi (Deuteromycota). Think beyond mushrooms and lichens.

Weekly Challenge #332 (05/18/08 - 05/24/08) No Child Left Indoors - Submitted by Wayne Jones. Any Photo of a child or children enjoying nature in the out-of-doors--hiking, walking, exploring flora and fauna, etc.

Weekly Challenge #331 (05/11/08 - 05/17/08) Night Shots - Submitted by Stan Rose. Any nature photo taken at night!

Weekly Challenge #330 (05/04/08 - 05/10/08) Celebrating Cinco de Mayo Day - Submitted by Carol Hyman. Colors of the Mexican Flag--Greens, Whites, Reds

Weekly Challenge #329 (04/27/08 - 05/03/08) HDR - Submitted by Wim Reyns. Any nature photograph that makes use of a HDR technique (so at least 3 photo's combined to get increased dynamic range)

Weekly Challenge #328 (04/20/08 - 04/26/08) Earth Day - April 22nd - Submitted by Carol Hyman. Carbon Emissions, Wind Energy, Reforestation

Weekly Challenge #327 (04/13/08 - 04/19/08) Post Processing Techniques-1 - Submitted by Charlie VanTassel. Beg, borrow, or dig into the closet for an older digital camera with 3 megapixels or less and take some jpeg images at the lowest resolution. The purpose of the them is to demonstrate what you can accomplish with various post processing techniques--adjusting levels, contrast, photo filters, or other techniques. Describe how you accomplished the final result.

Weekly Challenge #326 (04/06/08 - 04/12/08) First Signs of Spring - Submitted by Sandy Richards. Photos showing the ermergence of spring.

Weekly Challenge #325 (03/30/08 - 04/05/08) Local Desaturation - Submitted by Wim Reyns. Show us an image that is mostly black and white but with one or two objects still in full color.

Weekly Challenge #324 (03/23/08 - 03/29/08) Genesis - Submitted by Carol Hyman. What do you see in Nature that indicates the beginning of life? Buds, Seeds, sprouting bulbs, Bird Nests and/or Bird eggs… I'm sure you can think of even more ideas.

Weekly Challenge #323 (03/16/08 - 03/22/08) Saint Patrick's Day - Green - Submitted by Carol Hyman. The color of spring, shamrocks, the Blarney stone, symbols depicting leprechans. When you post your image, please provide a description of your image and tell us how it relates to St. Patrick's Day.

Weekly Challenge #322 (03/09/08 - 03/15/08) Spring Flooding - Submitted by Carol Hyman. A swollen creek bed, a river overflowing it's banks, ice floating downstream.

Weekly Challenge #321 (03/02/08 - 03/08/08) Song Titles - Submitted by Pam Colander. Depict either a popular or your favorite song title. Please use the title as part of your image title.

Weekly Challenge #320 (02/24/08 - 03/01/08) Winter Activities - Submitted by Wayne Jones. Images that present the feeling of "c-c-c-coldness" with typical winter activities of people skiing, sled-riding, building a snowman, hiking while obviously freezing.

Weekly Challenge #319 (02/17/08 - 02/23/08) Death - Submitted by Richard Wong. Either a visual metaphor for death or literally show it.

Weekly Challenge #318 (02/10/08 - 02/16/08) Valentine's Day - Submitted by Carol Hyman. February 14th, Red, White, Pink Colors, Flowers, Hearts, Cupid

Weekly Challenge #317 (02/03/08 - 02/09/08) In My Yard - Submitted by Sandy Richards. Flowers, trees, birds, insects, bees, flies, other critters, deer, possums, coyotes…anything that comes to visit your back yard.

Weekly Challenge #316 (01/27/08 - 02/02/08) Weather, in general and Ground Hog's Day - Submitted by Stan Rose. This is a chance to be your own prognosticator. Will Punxsutawney Phil see his shadow? How long will winter last? Other images depicting weather other than winter are fine.

Weekly Challenge #315 (01/20/08 - 01/26/08) Something is Missing - Submitted by Daniel Moore. Photos of things that are missing (a flower with missing petals, a park with no children, a tree with no leaves, a dried up creek bed, extraordinarily low water in a place such as Lake Mead, a missing waterfall, etc.).

Weekly Challenge #314 (01/13/08 - 01/19/08) Make Your Dream Come True - Submitted by Carol Hyman. What is your secret dream? A balloon ride? A pot of gold at the end of the rainbow? Becoming the most sought after photographer in the world? An early retirement to a desert island? G0 for it! Be sure to name the dream you are depicting as part of your title. Tell us more about it in your description.

Weekly Challenge #313 (01/06/08 - 01/12/08) Man and Ice - Submitted by Carol Hyman. Ice or icicles on man made objects, ice sculptures, etc.

Weekly Challenge #312 (12/30/07 - 01/05/08) Movie Titles - Submitted by Todd Caudle. Photos that can be best described by the title of a theatrical release (Red Dawn, The Sining, Raising Arizona, etc.). Be sure to include the title as part of your post!

Weekly Challenge #311 (12/23/07 - 12/29/07) Barriers - Submitted by David Weber. Photographs of natural or man-made barriers which confine, hinders movment or mark the limits of a place.

Weekly Challenge #310 (12/16/07 - 12/22/07) Holiday Greeting Cards - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Share your holidays greetings with us!

Weekly Challenge #309 (12/09/07 - 12/15/07) A View from Below - Submitted by Richard Olsen. Any nature photo taken with the camera pointing upward.

Weekly Challenge #308 (12/02/07 - 12/08/07) Branches and Twigs - Submitted by Andy Puttbach. Photos of branches and twigs.

Weekly Challenge #307 (11/25/07 - 12/01/07) Fallen leaves - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos of leaves that are no longer on trees.

Weekly Challenge #306 (11/18/07 - 11/24/07) Rusted Remains - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos of metal objects in a natural setting that Mother Nature is reclaiming.

Weekly Challenge #305 (11/11/07 - 11/17/07) Color and B&W - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photoshop creations of natural scenes that combine grayscale and color elements.

Weekly Challenge #304 (11/04/07 - 11/10/07) A View From Above - Submitted by Richard Olsen. Any nature photo taken with the camera pointing downward.

Weekly Challenge #303 (10/28/07 - 11/03/07) Through a Window - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Nature photos taken through a window, either natural "windows" or man-made.

Weekly Challenge #302 (10/21/07 - 10/27/07) The Moon - Submitted by Phil Noll. Photos that include the moon as part of the composition.

Weekly Challenge #301 (10/14/07 - 10/20/07) After the Rain - Submitted by Michael Dougherty. Images of the multitude of possibilities arising from rain and mist soaked nature.

Weekly Challenge #300 (10/07/07 - 10/13/07) Nature Overcoming Adversity - Submitted by Charlie Miller. Photos of flora or fauna in adverse environments.

Weekly Challenge #299 (09/30/07 - 10/06/07) Reptiles and Amphibians - Submitted by Michael Dougherty. The title says it all!

Weekly Challenge #298 (09/23/07 - 09/29/07) Shore Birds - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos of birds at the shore line.

Weekly Challenge #297 (09/16/07 - 09/22/07) Backlit Flora - Submitted by Michael Dougherty. Closeups and macros of plants illuminated from behind with dramatic light.

Weekly Challenge #296 (09/09/07 - 09/15/07) Negative Space - Submitted by Michael Dougherty. "If it is the silence between the notes that creates the melody, it might the negative space in the composition that creates power."

Weekly Challenge #295 (09/02/07 - 09/08/07) Fauna Landscape - Submitted by Michael Dougherty. Landscape photos that include wild animals.

Weekly Challenge #294 (08/26/07 - 09/01/07) Windmills and Barns - Submitted by Paul Breitkreuz. Photos that show windmills and barns in a natural setting.

Weekly Challenge #293 (08/19/07 - 08/25/07) All In The Family - Submitted by Dave Weber. Photos of animal families.

Weekly Challenge #292 (08/12/07 - 08/18/07) Another day at the Office - Submitted by Brian VanDenzen. Images taken while working (non-photography job) or traveling for work. Be sure to include the location of where the photo was taken.

Weekly Challenge #291 (08/05/07 - 08/11/07) Wolves - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos of wolves, either captive or in the wild (please state which in your post).

Weekly Challenge #290 (07/29/07 - 08/04/07) On The Prairie - Submitted by Charlie Miller. Photos taken on the flat lands.

Weekly Challenge #289 (07/22/07 - 07/28/07) Helter Skelter - Submitted by Brian VanDenzen. Images embracing chaos.

Weekly Challenge #288 (07/15/07 - 07/21/07) Mountain Streams - Submitted by Tom Biggs. The title says it all! Be sure to include the location of where the photo was taken.

Weekly Challenge #287 (07/08/07 - 07/14/07) Telephoto Sunrise/Sunsets - Submitted by Curtis Knight. Sunrise or sunset images taken with a 200mm or longer lens.

Weekly Challenge #286 (07/01/07 - 07/07/07) Red, White and Blue - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Nature photos that include each of these colors.

Weekly Challenge #285 (06/24/07 - 06/30/07) Storms - Submitted by Dale Williams. Nature photos that depict actual storms or the immediate results in nature.

Weekly Challenge #284 (06/17/07 - 06/23/07) In The Woods - Submitted by David Weber. Photos of natural objects found in the woods.

Weekly Challenge #283 (06/10/07 - 06/16/07) Pink - Submitted by Carol Hyman. Nature photos with plenty of the color in the composition.

Weekly Challenge #282 (06/03/07 - 06/09/07) White-tailed deer - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Post your best photos of this species.

Weekly Challenge #281 (05/27/07 - 06/02/07) Cactus Scenes - Submitted by Paul Breitkreuz. Scenes that contain cactus.

Weekly Challenge #280 (05/20/07 - 05/26/07) Farmer's Markets - Submitted by Carol Hyman. Photos taken at farmer's markets.

Weekly Challenge #279 (05/13/07 - 05/19/07) Sensual Flower Macros - Submitted by Rick Lundh. Well, as the title suggests...

Weekly Challenge #278 (05/06/07 - 05/12/07) Lichen - Submitted by Paul Breitkreuz. Photos that include lichen-covered rocks.

Weekly Challenge #277 (04/29/07 - 05/05/07) Shallow DOF - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Nature photos that use shallow depth-of-field.

Weekly Challenge #276 (04/22/07 - 04/28/07) Taken In The Rain - Submitted by David Schoen. Photos taken in the rain.

Weekly Challenge #275 (04/15/07 - 04/21/07) Budding of Life - Submitted by Dale Williams. Photos of the first sign of spring growth and new life.

Weekly Challenge #274 (04/08/07 - 04/14/07) Photos of Photographers Photographing Nature - Submitted by Bill McCarey. The title says it all!

Weekly Challenge #273 (04/01/07 - 04/07/07) Movie Scenes/Locations - Submitted by Lon Overacker. Nature photos that depict the location, or the sense of the location of a motion picture setting. For example; Austrian Alps - The Sound of Music; Ireland landscape - The Quiet Man; Redwood Forest - Empire Strikes Back, etc. Be sure to include the name of the movie and the actual location of where your photo was taken.

Weekly Challenge #272 (03/25/07 - 03/31/07) Last Signs of Winter - Submitted by Miro Susta. Photos that depict the end of winter.

Weekly Challenge #271 (03/18/07 - 03/24/07) Coastlines - Submitted by Bill McCarey. Photos of ocean coastlines.

Weekly Challenge #270 (03/11/07 - 03/17/07) Anthropomorhic - Submitted by Muareen Pulignano. Nature images that seem to have a human look.

Weekly Challenge #269 (03/04/07 - 03/10/07) City Parks & Gardens - Submitted by Miro Susta. Photos taken in urban parks and gardens. Be sure to include the name and location of the park/garden!

Weekly Challenge #268 (02/25/07 - 03/03/07) Clouds - Natural or Man-made - Submitted by Harald Rust. Photos that inlude clouds - clouds of dust, clouds of steam, or natural clouds - as an important compositional element.

Weekly Challenge #267 (02/18/07 - 02/24/07) The Alphabet in Nature - Submitted by David Weber. Photos featuring a natural object (or objects) which appear to form a letter of the alphabet.

Weekly Challenge #266 (02/11/07 - 02/17/07) Vacant - Submitted by Harald Rust. Photos that depict empty, vast, spacious landscape.

Weekly Challenge #265 (02/04/07 - 02/10/07) Rural Landscape - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Landscapes that includes HOM.

Weekly Challenge #264 (01/28/07 - 02/03/07) Tunnels - Submitted by Miro Susta. Tunnels formed of rock, vegetation, etc.

Weekly Challenge #263 (01/21/07 - 01/27/07) Monochromatic - Submitted by Janet Bentley. Not B&W, but photos that are comprised almost entirely of variations of one color.

Weekly Challenge #262 (01/14/07 - 01/20/07) Rivers and Streams - Submitted by Miro Susta. Photos that includes rivers or streams.

Weekly Challenge #261 (12/31/06 - 01/06/07) Long Shadows in B&W - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. B&W photos that depict the long shadows of winter.

Weekly Challenge #260 (12/17/06 - 12/30/06) Holiday Greeting Card - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. The title says it all! This theme will run for 2 weeks!

Weekly Challenge #259 (12/10/06 - 12/16/06) Noise - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Not digital noise, but photos that depict a noisy, natural scene.

Weekly Challenge #258 (12/03/06 - 12/09/06) Bare Trees - Submitted by Chuck Beatty. Photos of trees after they have lost their leaves!

Weekly Challenge #257 (11/26/06 - 12/02/06) The Final Days of Autumn - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos that depict the end of autumn and the onset of winter

Weekly Challenge #256 (11/19/06 - 11/27/06) Reclaimed by Nature - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos of abandoned man-made structures that are being reclaimed by nature.

Weekly Challenge #255 (11/12/06 - 11/18/06) Paths and Trails - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Man made paths, trails and unimproved roads in an otherwise natural setting.

Weekly Challenge #254 (11/05/06 - 11/11/06) Pumpkin Portraits - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. In keeping with the end of October tradition, pumpkins and Jack-O-Lanterns are the focus of this week's challenge!

Weekly Challenge #253 (10/29/06 - 11/04/06) Old Trees - Submitted by David Weber. Photos of big, old majestic trees.

Weekly Challenge #252 (10/22/06 - 10/28/06) Frost - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. The title is the description!

Weekly Challenge #251 (10/15/06 - 10/21/06) Autumn Intimate Landscapes - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos of colorful autumn leaves, acorns, etc. covering the ground.

Weekly Challenge #250 (10/08/06 - 10/14/06) Reflections - Submitted by L.G. Price. Autumn's color makes for some great opportunities to shoot relections on water. Post your favorite autumn reflection photos!

Weekly Challenge #249 (10/01/06 - 10/07/06) Photo Makover - Submitted by David Weber. What do you do with problem-plagued (lighting, noise, etc.) but otherwise terrific photos? Either you toss them or you edit them and hope for the best. This week's challenge is to select such a photo and give it a photo makeover. Post both the "before" (unedited) and "after" (edited) photos together as a set (flattened as a single file, "before" on top and "after" under it, up to 1200 pixels in height including both photos), describing the steps you took to improve the photo.

Weekly Challenge #248 (09/24/06 - 09/30/06) Cloud Patterns - Submitted by L.G. Price. Post photos that include patterns in clouds as an important part of the composition.

Weekly Challenge #247 (09/17/06 - 09/23/06) People Enjoying Nature - Submitted by David Weber. Photos suitable for the Man & Nature Gallery that depict people enjoying nature or outdoor activity in a natural setting.

Weekly Challenge #246 (09/10/06 - 09/16/06) High Contrast - Submitted by L.G. Price. Photos taken in bright, high contrast light that use the wide range of contrast to good effect.

Weekly Challenge #245 (09/03/06 - 09/09/06) In Threes - Submitted by Ned Fenimore. Compositions of elements of three - three trees, three mountains, three birds, etc.

Weekly Challenge #244 (08/27/06 - 09/02/06) Humorous Cliché - Submitted by Kathleen Shepherd. Nature photos that depict a cliché in a humorous way.

Weekly Challenge #243 (08/20/06 - 08/26/06) 50mm on Film - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Nature photos taken on film with a 35mm SLR/50mm lens.

Weekly Challenge #242 (08/13/06 - 08/19/06) Joy - Submitted by Bill Chambers. Photos that depict joy in nature - for either the subject or the photographer.

Weekly Challenge #241 (08/06/06 - 08/12/06) Misery - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos that depict misery in nature - for either the subject or the photographer.

Weekly Challenge #240 (07/30/06 - 08/05/06) Wide Angle MFD - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Get close to the subject with a wide angle lens at its minimum focusing distance.

Weekly Challenge #239 (07/23/06 - 07/29/06) Fog - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos taken in foggy conditions.

Weekly Challenge #238 (07/16/06 - 07/22/06) Dead Wood - Submitted by Ian Mason. Fallen trees, stumps, etc.

Weekly Challenge #237 (07/09/06 - 07/15/06) Heat - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos that convey a sense of heat.

Weekly Challenge #236 (07/02/06 - 07/08/06) Speed - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos that convey a sense of speed.

Weekly Challenge #235 (06/25/06 - 07/01/06) Bird Silhouettes - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos of birds silhouetted against a colorful background.

Weekly Challenge #234 (06/18/06 - 06/24/06) Lightening - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos of lightening in a natural setting.

Weekly Challenge #233 (06/11/06 - 06/17/06) Fauna in Green - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos of fauna subjects in green vegetation.

Weekly Challenge #232 (06/04/06 - 06/10/06) Wide Angle Flowers - Submitted by Rick Lundh. Wide angle photos of flowers.

Weekly Challenge #231 (05/28/06 - 06/03/06) Blue Sky - Submitted by Rick Lundh. Photos that include plenty of blue, cloudless sky.

Weekly Challenge #230 (05/21/06 - 05/27/06) Flower Macro - Submitted by Jim Goldstein. Macro and close-up shots of flowers.

Weekly Challenge #229 (05/14/06 - 05/20/06) Rain - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos taken on rainy days.

Weekly Challenge #228 (05/07/06 - 05/13/06) Photographers in the Field - Submitted by Jim Goldstein. Post photos of your fellow photographers in the field posing or in the middle of catching that perfect shot.

Weekly Challenge #226 (04/23/06 - 04/29/06) Rocks - Submitted by Jim Goldstein. Dramatic landscapes featuring not mountains, but boulders on down to rocks or pebbles.

Weekly Challenge #225 (04/16/06 - 04/22/06) Buds - Submitted by LG Price. This should be a great spring theme for our flora and macro shooters!

Weekly Challenge #224 (04/09/06 - 04/15/06) Point & Shoot - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Leave that LF, MF, SLR, D-SLR and "prosumer" photo gear at home and enjoy some nature photography using a point-and-shoot pocket camera (film or digital). Be sure to include the make and model of camera used.

Weekly Challenge #223 (04/02/06 - 04/08/06) Wind Scapes - Submitted by LG Price. Landscapes and seascapes that show the effects of wind.

Weekly Challenge #222 (03/26/06 - 04/01/06) Grab Shots - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Post those "unplanned" nature photos that were taken on a "spur of the momment" basis, without a tripod or other mechanical support (hand held). Be sure to include a bit of narrative on why and where you decided to "grab the shot."

Weekly Challenge #221 (03/19/06 - 03/25/06) Long Shutter Speed - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos that were taken using a shutter speed of 1 second or longer. Be sure to include the shutter speed used!

Weekly Challenge #220 (03/12/06 - 03/18/06) People in a Winter Landscape - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos suitable for the Man & Nature gallery that depict people in a winter landscape.

Weekly Challenge #219 (03/05/06 - 03/11/06) "Just OK" - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. We all have them - those shots that we think are "just OK" but nothing great. Post your "just OK" nature photos (that haven't been posted before) and let your fellow nature photographers make the call!

Weekly Challenge #218 (02/26/06 - 03/04/06) Barren Landscapes - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. The title tells all!

Weekly Challenge #217 (02/19/06 - 02/25/06) Green - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Tired of winter yet? Post your summer photos that use green as the dominant color.

Weekly Challenge #216 (02/12/06 - 02/18/06) Man vs. Winter - Submitted by Mark Turner. Photos that depict winter's onslaught on man and man-made structures. Photos should be appropriate for NPN's Man & Nature gallery.

Weekly Challenge #215 (02/05/06 - 02/11/06) Orton Technique - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos that have been manipulated using the Orton technique.

Weekly Challenge #214 (01/29/06 - 02/04/06) Long shadows - Submitted by LG Price. Post photos that use the long shadows of winter as a compositional element.

Weekly Challenge #213 (01/22/06 - 01/28/06) Ice Up Close - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Close-up photos that reveal the hidden beauty of frozen water.

Weekly Challenge #212 (01/15/06 - 01/21/06) Ice - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Scenes that include ice as a prominent compositional element.

Weekly Challenge #211 (01/08/06 - 01/14/06) Winter Solitude - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Images that depict the quiet solitude often found in a winter setting.

Weekly Challenge #210 (01/01/06 - 01/07/06) Winter Wildlife - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Images that depict wildlife in a winter setting.

Weekly Challenge #209 (12/25/05 - 12/31/05) Winter Macro - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Macro/close-up photos taken outdoors during the winter.

Weekly Challenge #208 (12/18/05 - 12/24/05) Fir Trees - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos of fir trees, taken inside or out!

Weekly Challenge #207 (12/11/05 - 12/17/05) Holiday Greeting Card - Submitted by Maureen Pulignano. Use a nature photo to create a holiday greeting card.

Weekly Challenge #206 (12/04/05 - 12/10/05) Not Obviously the Zoo - Submitted by Reindert Nijland. Photos taken at the zoo that that show no signs of hand-of-man, captivity or the man-made surroundings. Include the name of the zoo where the photo was taken.

Weekly Challenge #205 (11/27/05 - 12/03/05) High Key Images - Submitted by Cay-Uwe Kulzer. Backlight situations in which the main subject is not a silhouette.

Weekly Challenge #204 (11/20/05 - 10/26/05) Silhouettes - Submitted by Reindert Nijland. Natural subjects in silhouette.

Weekly Challenge #203 (11/13/05 - 10/19/05) Looks Like a Mouth - Submitted by Dave Weber. Post a photo of a place or object in nature that resembles a mouth in shape, position or use.

Weekly Challenge #202 (11/06/05 - 11/12/05) Reflections in Water - Submitted Reindert Nijland. Photo must be a reflection in water across the entire frame!

Weekly Challenge #201 (10/30/05 - 11/05/05) Autumn - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Post your best photo that depicts the color of the season.

Weekly Challenge #200 (10/23/05 - 10/29/05) Official Symbols - Submitted by Dave Weber. What is the official bird, flower or tree of the nation, state, province or territory in which you live? Does it have a unique symbol such as an official fish, reptile, gem or mammal? Post a photo of it and please identify whose official symbol it is.

Weekly Challenge #199 (10/16/05 - 10/22/05) Close-up On Leaves - Submitted by Cay-Uwe Kulzer. Close-up photos of leaves!

Weekly Challenge #198 (10/09/05 - 10/15/05) Moose - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Post your photos of moose - in memory of Bill Silliker, Jr.

Weekly Challenge #197 (10/02/05 - 10/08/05) Open Mouth - Submitted by Cay-Uwe Kulzer. Photos of animals yawning, eating, etc. - any photo showing an animal with an open mouth.

Weekly Challenge #196 (09/25/05 - 10/01/05) Water - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos that include water of any kind (rain, oceans, puddles, etc.).

Weekly Challenge #195 (09/18/05 - 09/24/05) On the Beach - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos taken at an ocean or lake beach.

Weekly Challenge #194 (09/11/05 - 09/17/05) Signs of Autumn - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos that depict the onset of the autumn season (first signs of color, first frost, etc.)

Weekly Challenge #193 (09/04/05 - 09/10/05) Texture - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos that strongly depict the texture found in nature.

Weekly Challenge #192 (08/28/05 - 09/03/05) Red - Submitted by LG Price. Nature photos that include a lot of the color red!

Weekly Challenge #191 (08/21/05 - 08/27/05) Dramatic Sky - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos that depict dramatic sky as the main theme.

Weekly Challenge #190 (08/14/05 - 08/20/05) Yellow - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Nature photos that include a lot of the color yellow!

Weekly Challenge #189 (08/07/05 - 08/13/05) Youth - Submitted by Robert Parnell. A young animal, a new sprout or bud, newly hatched insects, etc.

Weekly Challenge #188 (07/31/05 - 08/06/05) From the Car - Submitted by Maureen Pulignano. A vehicle can serve as a "blind on wheels" that wildlife will often accept more readily than the appearance of a human. Post you wildlife photos that were taken from your vehicle!

Weekly Challenge #187 (07/24/05 - 07/30/05) Back Yard Fauna - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos appropriate for the NPN Fauna gallery, taken in your back yard.

Weekly Challenge #186 (07/17/05 - 07/23/05) Altered By Animals - Submitted by Dave Weber. It's not just humans who alter and reshape the natural world around them. Post a photo that shows either an animal at work, or the results of an animal's labor.

Weekly Challenge #185 (07/10/05 - 07/16/05) This Old (NPN) Hat - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. The NPN Field Cap has been available for 4 years now, and we're sure there are some pretty "well used" samples out there. Post a photo of your old NPN hat!

Weekly Challenge #184 (07/03/05 - 07/09/05) Red, White and Blue - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Nature photos that include all three of those colors.

Weekly Challenge #183 (06/26/05 - 07/02/05) Member Portraits - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. It's time once again for our yearly "place a face with the name" challenge. Both old and new members are encouraged to participate!

Weekly Challenge #182 (06/19/05 - 06/25/05) Insects - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. It's "bug week" - post your photos of insects!

Weekly Challenge #181 (06/12/05 - 06/18/05) Competing Forces - Submitted by LG Price. Nature is a relentless struggle. Find an example of competing forces struggling for survival.

Weekly Challenge #180 (06/05/05 - 06/11/05) Telephoto Landscapes - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Landscape photos suitable for the Earth, Sea and Sky gallery taken with a telephoto lens.

Weekly Challenge #179 (05/29/05 - 06/04/05) Wide Angle Wildlife - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos of wildlife taken with a wide angle (35mm or wider equivalent) lens.

Weekly Challenge #178 (05/22/05 - 05/28/05) Fog - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos of nature subjects taken in foggy conditions.

Weekly Challenge #177 (05/15/05 - 05/21/05) Leaves - Submitted by Mike Maples. Post a photo that shows a leaf (or leaves) as the main subject.

Weekly Challenge #176 (05/08/05 - 05/14/05) Wind - Submitted by LG Price. You don't have to go out in the wind to see the evidence of wind in nature. Post a photo that shows the effects of wind.

Weekly Challenge #175 (05/01/05 - 05/07/05) Old Theme Week - Submitted by LG Price. Post a photo that meets any of themes listed below (WC 92 through WC 174) Be sure to use "WC 175" in the title of your post and the theme number from below that your photo pertains too.

Weekly Challenge #174 (04/24/05 - 04/30/05) Campsite Photos - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Camping is a great way to get closer with nature. Show us your photos that depeict the beauty of nature taken at the campsite!

Weekly Challenge #173 (04/17/05 - 04/23/05) Nature Rides - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. We often use our vehicles to go off-road for nature photography. Create a "portrait" of your favorite off-road vehicle in a natural setting. Be sure that you comply with Tread Lightly! guidelines in the creation of the photo.

Weekly Challenge #172 (04/10/05 - 04/16/05) In all the wrong Places - Submitted by Linda Price. Nature likes to show up in unlikely places - create an image of nature revealing itself in an unlikely or out of place location.

Weekly Challenge #171 (04/03/05 - 04/09/05) Camouflage - Submitted by Linda Price. Nature likes to disguise - create an image that reveals what nature tries to disguise.

Weekly Challenge #170 (03/27/05 - 04/02/05) Green - Submitted by Larry Johnson. Images that feature the color green.

Weekly Challenge #169 (03/20/05 - 03/26/05) First Signs of Spring - Submitted by Will Vrolyk. Images that depict the emergence of the season.

Weekly Challenge #168 (03/13/05 - 03/19/05) Harsh Light - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. It's often said that mid day photography on sunny days is not worth the effort; post your photos that show it is!

Weekly Challenge #167 (03/06/05 - 03/12/05) Rain - Submitted by Will Vrolyk. Images that depict nature's beauty on a rainy day.

Weekly Challenge #166 (02/27/05 - 03/05/05) Turbulence - Submitted by BJ Chadwick. Turbulence in air, water, mood, fur, feathers, etc.

Weekly Challenge #165 (02/20/05 - 02/26/05) Winter water - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Images that depict the beauty of water (in its liquid form) in the winter.

Weekly Challenge #164 (02/13/05 - 02/19/05) Trees - Submitted by Robert Parnell. An image that uses tree(s) whole or part to tell a story.

Weekly Challenge #163 (02/06/05 - 02/12/05) Emotions - Submitted by Robert Parnell. Emotions - Happy, sad, lonely, affection, excited, etc. (let's leave out angry - there is enough of that in the world).

Weekly Challenge #162 (01/30/05 - 02/05/05) Winter Wildlife - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Images that depict wildlife in a winter setting.

Weekly Challenge #161 (01/23/05 - 01/29/05) Pairs - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos that depict a pair (2 of the same) of some natural subject.

Weekly Challenge #160 (01/16/05 - 01/22/05) Winter Landscapes - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Images that depict the winter landscape.

Weekly Challenge #159 (01/09/05 - 01/15/05) Boundaries - Submitted by Michelle Parent. Images that depict a boundary as the main subject, such as the boundary between water and land, land and sky, night and day, light and shadow, etc.

Weekly Challenge #158 (01/02/05 - 01/08/05) Patterns in Ice - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. The title says it all!

Weekly Challenge #157 (12/05/04 - 12/11/04) My Favorite Shot of 2004 - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. For our final WC of the year, post your favorite nature photo of 2004!

Weekly Challenge #156 (11/28/04 - 12/04/04) Thanksgiving - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Photos taken during the Thanksgiving holiday that are suitable for any of the NPN galleries - especially those that say "Thanksgiving."

Weekly Challenge #155 (11/21/04 - 11/27/04) From the Road - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Nature photos that were taken from public access roads.

Weekly Challenge #154 (11/14/04 - 11/20/04) Early Winter - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Images that depict the first signs of winter.

Weekly Challenge #152 (10/31/04 - 11/06/04) Birds of Autumn - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. The final installment of our "autumn" series of weekly challenges, photos of birds in an autumn setting.

Weekly Challenge #151 (10/24/04 - 10/30/04) Autumn Landscapes - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. A continuation of last week's "autumn" theme, this week post your "classic autumn" photos.

Weekly Challenge #150 (10/17/04 - 10/23/04) Autumn Macros - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Use the color of autumn to create interesting close-ups!

Weekly Challenge #149 (010/10/04 - 10/16/04) Moose - In Memory of Bill Silliker, Jr. - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. In memory of the man who so many of us got to know through NPN, but never had the chance to meet in person. Post your photos of moose in memory of "The Mooseman."

Weekly Challenge #148 (10/03/04 - 10/09/04) On Your Back - Submitted by Joshua Evans. Any image taken while laying on your back.

Weekly Challenge #147 (09/27/04 - 10/02/04) Tree Trunks - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Images that include bark or tree trunks as the main subject. A bit of creativity with a common subject should yield some interesting photos!

Weekly Challenge #146 (09/19/04 - 09/25/04) Motion Blur - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Images that show at least part of the subject sharp but the background blurred due to panning with a long shutter speed. In-camera blurring only - no Photoshop effects!

Weekly Challenge #145 (09/12/04 - 09/18/04) Straight Down - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Any image taken with the lens pointing straight down.

Weekly Challenge #144 (09/05/04 - 09/11/04) Bridges - Submitted by John Christopher. Bridges, both literal or metaphorical

Weekly Challenge #143 (08/29/04 - 09/04/04) The One That Got Away - Submitted by Phil Noll. It would have been a terrific photo if...(the light was better, the subject didn't move, if I had used more DOF, etc.).

Weekly Challenge #142 (08/21/04 - 08/28/04) In the Shadows - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Images depicting the subject in shadow.

Weekly Challenge #141 (08/15/04 - 08/21/04) Yellow - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Images in which the color yellow dominates.

Weekly Challenge #140 (08/08/04 - 08/14/04) Optical illusions - Submitted by John Christopher. Natural objects that look like something entirely different than what they really are. Example: the "man on the moon."

Weekly Challenge #139 (08/01/04 - 08/07/04) Stairway to Heaven - Submitted by John Christopher. Natural or man-made stairways in a non-urban setting (no escalators at Macys).

Weekly Challenge #138 (07/25/04 - 07/31/04) As Low As I Can Go - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Break out the beanbags, ground pods and right-angle finders - images taken at ground level!

Weekly Challenge #137 (07/18/04 - 07/24/04) Vertical Panoramas - Submitted by Nathan Buck. Images in vertical panoramic format. Images must be no higher than 800 pixels, and the width no more than 50% of the height.

Weekly Challenge #136 (07/11/04 - 07/17/04) Evening Light - Submitted by John Christopher. Images taken in late-day light.

Weekly Challenge #135 (07/04/04 - 07/10/04) Morning Light - Submitted by John Christopher. Images taken in the early morning light.

Weekly Challenge #134 (06/27/04 - 07/03/04) Self Portraits - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Always a favorite theme (and a great way to put faces to names), this time you have to shoot yourself!

Weekly Challenge #133 (06/20/04 - 06/26/04) Tenacity - Submitted by Phillip Noll. Once again, no description for this challenge - simply post images that you feel best illustrate the title!

Weekly Challenge #132 (06/13/04 - 06/19/04) Edges - Submitted by Phillip Noll. No description for this challenge - simply post images that you feel best illustrate the title!

Weekly Challenge #131 (06/06/04 - 06/12/04) Patterns in Nature - Submitted by Nathan Buck. The title says it all!

Weekly Challenge #130 (05/30/04 - 06/05/04) Reflections - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Images that are entirely reflections.

Weekly Challenge #129 (05/23/04 - 05/29/04) Abstracts and Extracts - Submitted by Bill Fach. Find graphic compositions or extract one from a larger scene.

Weekly Challenge #128 (05/16/04 - 05/22/04) Horizontal Panoramics - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Images that have at least a 2:1 aspect ratio. Images may be up to 720 pixels in width.

Weekly Challenge #127 (05/09/04 - 05/15/04) Freeze Action - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Dial in a high shutter speed and catch nature in action!

Weekly Challenge #126 (05/02/04 - 05/08/04) Under a Postage Stamp - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. OK nature photography macroholics, it's your turn! The area covered in the image must be about the size of a postage stamp - 25mm by 20mm - give or take a little.

Weekly Challenge #125 (04/25/04 - 05/01/04) Nature in Peril - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Pollution. Over development. It seems a day does not go by without seeing man wreaking havoc on our natural world. For this challenge, post images that depict this unfortunate trend - be sure to include a little commentary about the circumstances behind it.

Weekly Challenge #124 (04/18/04 - 04/24/04) Oldies but Goodies - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Have you been photographing nature for more than 10 years? Show us your best shot taken prior to 1994!

Weekly Challenge #123 (04/11/04 - 04/17/04) Lunch Time Photography - Submitted by Jim Erhardt. Many of us bring our photo gear to work and look forward to snapping a shot or two during our lunch breaks - show us you best shots!

Weekly Challenge #121 (03/28/04 - 04/03/04) Rain - Submitted by Will Vrolyk. The theme title says it all!

Weekly Challenge #120 (03/21/04 - 03/27/04) Under the..... - Submitted by Nathan Buck. Images that depict a natural subject "under something." For example, a rock under water, or a bug under a leaf. The "something" does not neccessarily have to be naturally occuring!

Weekly Challenge #119 (03/14/04 - 03/20/04) Nature Photographers - submitted by Jim Erhardt. Images of nature photographers practicing their craft.

Weekly Challenge #118 (03/07/04 - 03/13/04) For a Good Cause Part 2 - "Hope" - suggested by Tim Kingston. A continuation from WC #117, this week's challenge will give us an opportunity to post and evaluate images that convey "hope." Be sure to save any image that you post so that when the time comes, it can be submitted for this worthy cause.
For this challenge, up to 4 images may be posted per individual.

Weekly Challenge #117 (02/29/04 - 03/06/04) For a Good Cause Part 1 - "Serenity" - suggested by Tim Kingston. As NPN members begin to consider their photo contributions for the Duke University Medical Center chemotherapy research program, this week's challenge will give us an opportunity to post and evaluate images that convey "serenity." Be sure to save any image that you post so that when the time comes, it can be submitted for this worthy cause.
For this challenge, up to 4 images may be posted per individual.

Weekly Challenge #116 (02/22/04 - 02/28/04) Far Away from Home - submitted by Jim Erhardt. What's the furthest from home you've ever been and taken nature images? Show us your favorite "far away" image and tell us where it was taken!

Weekly Challenge #115 (02/15/04 - 02/21/04) "Tall" - submitted by Will Vrolyk. Images that make us think "tall."

Weekly Challenge #114 (02/08/04 - 02/14/04) People Portraits - submitted by Jim Erhardt. While the images are not considered nature photography, this weekly challenge requires that nature photography equipment be used! No fancy studio strobes, softboxes, snoots, etc. - just the equipment you use for your nature photography. Images may be taken indoors or out, and may be of friends and/or family. Any equipment or accessory that you use for your nature photography is permitted - be sure to list it in your post!

Weekly Challenge #113 (02/01/04 - 02/07/04) Indoor Wildlife - submitted by Jim Erhardt. Spiders, crickets, ants or God knows what else! Images of those critters that make the inside of your house their home.

Weekly Challenge #112 (01/25/04 - 01/31/04) Snowless Winter Landscapes - submitted by Jim Erhardt. Is it possible to use those barren, snowless winter landscapes to create appealing winter imagery? Let's see what we can come up with!

Weekly Challenge #111 (01/18/04 - 01/24/04) Windowlight Still Life - submitted by Jim Erhardt. Using only window light and reflectors for illumination, bring your subject inside and create still life images.

Weekly Challenge #110 (01/11/04 - 01/17/04) Winter Macro - submitted by Jim Erhardt. When most of us think of "macro," we usually think of summer subjects - insects, flora, etc. Can winter macro-photography be just as rewarding? Give it a try and show us your results!

Weekly Challenge #109 (01/4/04 - 01/10/04) The Lens I Never Use - submitted by Jim Erhardt. We all seem to end up with at least one - a lens that seemed like a good idea when we bought it, but ends up sitting in the camera bag. Your assignment, should you choose to accept it, is to dust it off, use it and post your results! Maybe it wasn't such a bad purchase afterall!

Weekly Challenge #108 (12/7 - 12/13/03) Look Up! - submitted by Jim Erhardt. Images taken with the camera pointed upward.

Weekly Challenge #107 (11/30 - 12/6/03) Black & White - submitted by Jim Tomisser. Images taken in black and white. Remember - lines, texture and pattern are some of the prime ingredients of a successful B&W image!

Weekly Challenge #106 (11/23 - 11/29/03) Turkeys! - submitted by Jim Erhardt. Hey, it's Thanksgiving, isn't it? Time to post those gobbler shots!

Weekly Challenge #105 (11/16 - 11/22/03) Shot by Moon Light - submitted by Jeane Vogel. Nightime images, illuminated by moonlight.

Weekly Challenge #104 (11/9 - 11/15/03) Outdoor Still Life - submitted by Jeane Vogel. Use natural items arranged deliberately in their natural environment.

Weekly Challenge #103 (11/2 - 11/8/03) The Tail End - submitted Sue Alden. Catch the "tail lights" of a fauna subject!

Weekly Challenge #102 (10/26 - 11/1/03) Our Back (or front) Yards - submitted by Beth Summer. Nature images taken in or from our back or front yards.

Weekly Challenge #101 (10/19 - 10/25/03) Autumn - submitted by Jim Erhardt. For those of us in the northern hemisphere, we have hopefully captured some spectacular autumn images by now. Time to share them with the rest of us!

Weekly Challenge #100 (10/12 - 10/18/03) Wind - submitted by Colleen Kumrow. Show us images that depict this force of nature!

Weekly Challenge #99 (10/5 - 10/11/03) Symmetry - submitted Rose Read. Hard to find in nature, though not impossible!

Weekly Challenge #98 (9/28 - 10/4/03) Digital Darkroom Challenge - submitted by Laura Stiefel. You will be supplied an untouched image (TIFF file) to download, and then use your digital darkroom skills to make the image the best it can be, or make it into something entirely different! A link to the image will be provided on 9/28 in the WC gallery.

Weekly Challenge #97 (9/21 - 9/27/03) Shadows - submitted by Jim Erhardt. Images in which shadows play an important compositional role.

Weekly Challenge #96 (9/14 - 9/20/03) Happy Accidents - submitted by Bill Whala. You had previsualized the image you wanted, and the final result came out well - except not at all what you had envisioned! Show us your "happy accident" images, and how they differ from what you were shooting for!

Weekly Challenge #95 (9/7 - 9/13/03) Song Lyrics - submitted by Matt Hoberg. Pick a line of lyric from a song (for example, "row, row, row your boat," "California dreamin'," etc.) and use it as a theme for your nature image. Be sure to include the music artist's name and the name of the song the lyrics are from.

Weekly Challenge #94 (8/31 - 9/6/03) Sticks and Stones - submitted by Jim Tomisser. From sticks and stones to tree trunks and boulders - make these objects the theme of your image!

Weekly Challenge #93 (8/24 - 8/30/03) At the Shore - submitted by Jim Erhardt. Whether it be the shore of an ocean, a lake, a river, etc., images should depict the sights (both large and small) found "at the shore."

Weekly Challenge #92 (8/17-8/23/03) Green - submitted by Jim Erhardt. The title says it all! The color green should be a major element of the image.