by Editor Jian Xu
Edited and published by Yvette Depaepe, the 18th of July 2025

'Scissor-tailed Flycatcher' by Mike He

A Scissor-tailed Flycatcher hovers gracefully above the sunlit grassland, chasing a bug. Its long tail streams behind it like ribbons in a breeze. Golden light ripples beneath it through the swaying grasses. In that moment, the essence of summer comes alive in the movement, light and colour, all captured in a single instant.

Summer is a season of abundance and vitality for birds. Birds sing loudly, raise their young and can be seen more frequently across open skies, fields and wetlands. For photographers, it’s a time of great opportunity, but also of great challenge. This article explores the spirit of summer bird photography, sharing stories and insights that celebrate the joy of birdwatching.

One of the joys of summer bird photography is capturing not just the bird itself, but also its surroundings. Whether it's the grasses wrapping around a sparrow's perch, sunflowers glowing behind a bunting or a heron standing quietly among blooming lotus flowers, these moments tell a broader story where the setting and the subject are inseparable.

This series of images features a variety of birds, including songbirds, owls, hummingbirds and herons, as well as a range of environments such as grasslands, sunflower fields, wetlands and forest edges. What ties them together is the atmosphere, whether it's the early morning light, the drifting clouds or the textured surroundings that capture the essence of each season in every frame.

‘Arizona morning’ by Greg Barsh

‘Sweet!’ by Ling Zhan

‘Small but loud’ By Greg Barsh

'freshen up’ by Taksing (吉星高照)

‘Quiet morning’ by Qing Zhao

‘Open wings’ by Marco Redaelli

‘bird on lotus seed pod’ by Judy Tseng

‘Black-crowned Night Heron with a Catch’ by Robert Zhang

Photographing in summer can be as challenging as it is rewarding. Early sunrises and intense midday sunlight mean that timing is crucial. Bugs, ticks and the intense heat can wear down even the most enthusiastic photographer. On hot days, heat distortion from the ground can turn sharp subjects into soft blurs.

Here are a few tips for achieving the ideal summer shooting conditions:

●        Shoot during golden hours: Early morning and late afternoon bring gentle light and fewer distractions.

●        Watch for cloudy skies: Overcast days extend the window for photography and soften harsh shadows.

●        Play with light direction: Backlighting and sidelighting can turn feathers into glowing edges or create painterly silhouettes.

Summer rewards those who return to familiar places and wait, paying attention to the subtle rhythms of nature and light.

‘Lost in Bokeh’ by Sina Pezeshki

‘A Burrowing Owl and his Breakfast’ by Mike He

‘Eurasian scops owl’ by Milan Zygmunt

‘Scramble for mother’s attention’ by Leechee Z

Sunflowers are among the most iconic symbols of summer. Their fields hum with life; finches, buntings, sparrows, and even hummingbirds gather among their golden heads, feeding or resting in postcard-like settings.

Capturing birds in sunflower fields requires a balance of patience and composition. While the flowers can easily steal the show, the goal is to let bird and bloom enhance each other through color, form, and a bit of timing…

‘Hi there’ by Ruiqing P

‘Painted Bunting’ by Max Wang

‘Sunflower Surfing’ by Jeff Graham

‘Hummingbird on Sunflower’ by Lucie Gagnon

In summer, wide, open grasslands come alive with sound: meadowlarks sing from fenceposts, sparrows tumble through the air and flycatchers dart from tall stems. These places hold a special magic, yet they are becoming increasingly rare. Grassland birds have experienced a sharp decline in their populations. The photograph below shows a Henslow's sparrow, whose population has fallen by over 50% since 1970, primarily due to habitat loss. Photographing these birds is a privilege, but it also comes with a quiet responsibility. An image of a bird singing in a fading prairie could be more than just beautiful; it could help to tell an important story.

https://www.audubon.org/news/state-us-grassland-birds-still-declining

‘Henslow's sparrow’ by Jian Xu

Summer provides an abundance of opportunities for artistic photography. Soft morning light, warm evenings and fleeting shadows provide endless creative possibilities. As the sun slips halfway below the horizon, a flamingo stands quietly, its silhouette gently defined in the fading light. The subdued tones lend the scene a calm, introspective mood. An owl in the light of dusk invites a sense of mystery. Its soft glow evokes a sense of awe and wonder.

‘Golden Moment’ by Kathy Yuan

‘Good morning’ by Yuan Su

‘Little owl’ by David Manusevich

‘Oriole's snack-1’ By Allen SD ( 艾伦）

One of the most touching aspects of summer bird photography is capturing moments of parental care. During this season, many birds actively feed their young, offering a glimpse into their tireless dedication and instinct. Capturing the moment a parent delivers food to a waiting chick conveys the beauty and fragility of bird life.

These scenes are full of emotion and story. Whether it's a small songbird feeding its young or a larger species sharing a fish, such images reveal the deep bonds of nature, reminding viewers of the shared rhythms of life.

‘Pileated Woodpecker’ by Max Wang

‘Yellow warbler feeding Cowbird baby’ by LM Meng

‘Feeding Time’ by Max Wang

‘breakfast’ by Marcel Špeta

Summer bird photography is about more than just capturing clear images. It's about being present during a season when nature offers so much. Through light, behaviour and setting, these photos celebrate life in full swing.

Here's to early mornings, golden light and the rustle of wings across warm fields. And here’s to noticing and sharing those fleeting, radiant moments.

‘Coming home at sunset’ by Siyu and Wei Photography

‘Summer fun’ by Judy Tseng

‘Great Gray Owl in fly’ by Bo Wang

‘Egret catching fish in the lotus pool’ by Chen FuYi