Your Best “In the Backyard” Photography
Updated: Mar. 01, 2022We challenged you to capture the action in your own backyard, and you delivered! From to feathered friends to beautiful blossoms, check out this gorgeous gallery of backyard photography.
Croquet all day
Calgary’s Maria Powell came up with a wonderful solution to quarantine-induced cabin fever: a spirited game of croquet in the backyard! When’s the last time you picked up a mallet? (We’re not even sure we remember the rules!)
Here’s what you should know about bunnock—the best game you’ve never heard of!
Point of impact
Of course, not every summer day can be sunny, but that didn’t stop talented shutterbug Dan Wever of Grande Prairie from capturing a mesmerizing moment. “In my backyard one rainy day, I captured this image of a rain drop bouncing off my picnic table,” Dan writes. Perfect timing, Dan—thanks for sharing!
See you later, pollinator!
“A bee bum in my delphinium!” writes Miriam Cerant of Abbotsford, B.C., who snapped this sweet little bee enjoying her backyard garden. “He was kind enough to pose for a photo.” Only fair, considering you provided the lunch, Miriam!
Here are six simple things you can do right now to help save the bees.
Happy harvesting
No, this isn’t the produce aisle at the supermarket—it’s the harvest from Dan Wever’s backyard! “We moved to another home recently, and to our surprise the 8-foot apple tree in our backyard produced over 200 pounds of apples!” Dan writes. Incredible!
Pitcher perfect
“This is part of my backyard Canadian oasis,” writes Paula Brown of Ottawa, who establishes her patriotic colour scheme in both the wind sock, and the red-and-white petunias in that adorable little pitcher-planter. What a fantastic container!
Check out more of Paula’s beautiful captures in this gallery of historical-themed Canadian photography.
Creativity in bloom
Speaking of brilliant repurposed garden planters, check out this genius idea from Beatrice Rauch of Cobourg, Ontario. Her do-it-yourself tulip planter brings new meaning to flower “beds”!
Check out more great ideas for repurposed garden planters.
Wild rosebud
Fun fact: Alberta adopted the wild rose as its official flower exactly 90 years ago. Rebecca Bromberger snapped this particularly pretty specimen in its natural habitat.
Winged wonder
Did you know that certain flowers tend to attract more butterflies to your backyard? This handsome monarch seems to be particularly fond of Linda Sweeney’s buttery-white hydrangea.
Are you looking at me?
“This squirrel is sizing up one of my backyard garden lights!” writes Paula Brown, who captured this tense-looking showdown in her backyard. No word on who came out victorious!
Check out more funny photos that will make you laugh out loud!
An unexpected guest
No need to visit a zoo for a close encounter with wildlife if you got a backyard like Richard Omanski! The Elliot Lake, Ontario, native assures us both photographer and subject maintained a safe social distance for the snap.
Peek-a-boo!
Those eyes! Those ears! Pamela Buck spied this unbearably cute baby bunny in her Parksville, B.C. backyard. Check out more adorable pictures of baby wild animals.
Study in purple
“The planter by our door contains wave petunias in various shades of purple,” writes Elaine King of Saskatoon. “A cheery spot to encourage all who see it.”
Find out why Saskatoon is Canada’s next great culinary destination.
Team effort
It’s hard to choose the star performer in this stunning mix of lillies, forget-me-nots and dramatically variegated greenery. “I had just returned after an evening bike ride when I noticed their beauty in the light at that time of day,” writes Edith Beerda of Smithers, British Columbia. “Flowers really do bring happiness.”
The upside of isolation
“With our family spending more time in the backyard due to social isolation we noticed a few dragonflies,” writes Debbie Wright of Niagara Falls, Ontario. “This blue dasher even posed for this pic.”
Don’t miss Debbie’s love letter to Niagara Falls.
Rockin’ robins
Cheryl Power of Innisfil, Ontario, snapped this incredible shot of what looks like a rather loud exchange between a pair of fledglings. “The robins were loving our yard this year; lots of worms to feed their young,” she writes.
You’ll find more of Cheryl’s spectacular stills in this gallery of inspiring travel photos.
Purr-fectly adorable
Between those gorgeous blue eyes and the sweet brown “boots,” we’re absolutely smitten with this little kitten. Thanks to Debbie Wright for sharing!
Check out more of Debbie’s photography in this collection of shelfie photography from across Canada.
How many more weeks of winter?
Every day is Groundhog Day at Heather McIlravey’s! This playful pair have been living under her shed, and occasionally pop up to say hello.
Here’s more of your best “two of a kind” photography.
Under the microscope
Even if your backyard looks tranquil, there’s always something going on—if you look closely enough! Russ Hayes of Sherbrooke, Quebec, sees it all with the help of a macro lens, including this portly snipe fly taking a break on his cedars. What an incredible photo, Russ.
Check out more mind-blowing macro photography in the garden.
The next best thing
When a global pandemic prevents you from travelling to Vegas, why not bring a bit of Vegas to your own backyard? “This is our version of the Bellagio fountain on our deck,” writes Deb Sandau of Red Deer, Alberta. We think you’ve hit the jackpot, Deb!
Take a virtual tour of the world’s most beautiful fountains.
Untamed beauty
Check out those eye-popping blue and purple petals! Sue Thompson’s wildflower garden in Chatham, Ontario, is a celebration of colour.
Take a look at more fantastic flower photography from across Canada.
Jam session
Jillian Manton of Sarnia, Ontario, has a sweet treat in store for any Baltimore orioles making a stop at her backyard feeder: jam!
Don’t miss our collection of great Canadian bird stories.
Storm’s a-brewin’
Batten down the hatches! This dramatic front swept over Cass Cardy’s backyard in Basswood, Manitoba in July.
Don’t miss these extraordinary weather events captured on camera.
Forever chasing bubbles
For wee ones, a backyard is an opportunity for endless adventures—particularly when one of the grown-ups brings out the bubble wand. Thanks to Bruce Raby of Perth, Ontario, for sharing this sweet image.
Silver strands
A silky spider’s web can be nearly invisible until it’s backlit, and here, Paula Eves has the help of the sun in picking out every single strand. This elaborate web spanned the rungs of her back porch in Sarnia, Ontario.
Check out this gallery of incredible spider webs found in nature.
Fenced in
We defy even the craftiest rabbit from getting into Tammy Clifford’s fortified vegetable garden! The gorgeous structure graces her backyard in Cottam, Ontario.
Thinking of growing your own? Here’s what you should know before starting a garden.
Beauty bush
Maryalice Wood’s backyard in Langley, B.C., is home to this incredible flowering shrub. “Its Latin name is Kolkwitzia amabilis, but it’s more commonly called ‘beauty bush’,” she says. “It lives up to its name every year!”
Reflecting on summer
The unbroken surface of a pond provided Tammy Green of Harrington Harbour, Quebec, with the opportunity to capture a visit from the kids in a creative way. “They decided to clean the pond out, put clean water back in and turn it into a ‘swimming pool’,” she writes. “The imagination of a child… Priceless!”
Precious gems
Raindrops on a backyard clothesline become glittering gems under the macro lens of Russ Hayes. Thanks for another gorgeous submission, Russ!
These magical photos of frozen bubbles will take your breath away.
Welcome back!
Imagine being greeted at the door with the same enthusiasm this young sparrow has for its returning parent! An incredible moment caught on camera by Donna Guenther of Portage la Prairie, Manitoba.
Check out more incredible photography of birds across Canada.
Mission completed
Young Daphnée and Arthur’s Canada Day challenge: Create a maple leaf out of building blocks! Nichole White of Cornwall, Ontario, captured the end result. Congrats, kids!
Check out more cute photos of kids in the great outdoors.
All abuzz
It’s not just humans who find the fragrance of blooming lilac totally irresistible! Cindy Herbert snapped this appreciative bumblebee in her Welland, Ontario, backyard.
Don’t miss these flower photography tips from a professional photographer.
Having a ball
If this precious pooch looks like he’s having the time of his life in his Grandma’s backyard, it’s with good reason. “Winston lives in a condo so when he comes to visit, he enjoys spending time in the yard,” writes Alexandra Fontaine of Mission, B.C.
Don’t miss this gallery of adorable pets from across Canada.
Heirloom blooms
“These bulbs came from my parents garden 25 years ago,” writes Diane Turner of Regina. What a lovely way to keep happy memories alive!
Check out more colourful plants that are guaranteed to brighten up your yard.
Dream staycation
Vivian Gouliquer of Lake Country, British Columbia, has the perfect staycation plan during COVID-19: simply build a tent in the backyard, and enjoy. What a view!
Here are more places in Canada every Canadian should visit.
Making a splash
Even fur babies can use a splash pad during a heat wave! This cute pic from Norma Keith of Baltimore, Ontario, gives new meaning to the “dog days of summer.”
Check out more “making a splash” photography from across Canada!
Not to be sniffed at
“At this size, he’s cute,” writes Paul Barber of Brantford, Ontario, who came across this little critter in his backyard one day. Who’d guess something so sweet could potentially cause such a stink?
Don’t miss this gallery of stunning nature photography from across Canada.
Mirror, mirror…
“After my father no longer wanted this mirror, he asked me if we could use it. We painted it and then we decided to hang the mirror on our fence to get the reflection of our backyard,” writes Rena Nixon of New Minas, Nova Scotia. “Sometimes one man’s garbage is another man’s treasure!” It’s a gorgeous bit of garden design that we can’t wait to add to our own backyard, Rena—thanks for sharing!
These thrifty gardening tips will save you time, money and effort.
Fiery foliage
Creeping vines bursting with burnt red leaves have given this gazebo an enchanted quality. Thanks to Heidi Sanita of Pickering, Ontario, for sending in this gem.
Check out more gorgeous garden photography from across Canada.
