It’s that time of year again for the yearly Editors Picks at NPN! It was incredibly challenging to make selections from the enormous amount of amazing images posted this year!

Thank you to all the moderators for their tireless work picking the Editors Pick each week and helping us make the final selections for the Yearly Editors Picks; without further ado, here are the 2021 awards! 

Click here to leave comments on all images or follow the link for the individual images.

Thank you to all the members who have made this an incredible year at NPN. It’s because of you that NPN is still one of the best communities out there!

– David and Jennifer

Avian

Avian 01

First Place

Youngsters by Hans Overduin
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Avian 02

Second Place

Focused by Johan Lennartsson
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Avian 03

Third Place

Simplicity by Mark Muller
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Flora

Flora 01

First Place

Sanguinaria canadensis (bloodroot) by Paul Wiegman
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Flora 02

Second Place

Unknown Succulent by Jim Zablotny
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Flora 03

Third Place

Bougainvillea and window by Diane Miller
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Human & Fauna

HF 01

First Place

On the rocks by David Schoen
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HF 02

Second Place

Rattlesnake by Tony Kuyper
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HF 03

Third Place

Dune Dog by Harley Goldman
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Landscape

Land 01

First Place

Blueberry Meringue by John Williams
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Land 02

Second Place

Submerged Fire by Bonnie Lampley
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Land 03 New

Third Place

What’s it all about, Alvord? by Igor Doncov
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Macro

Macro 01

First Place

Long Legged Fly by Balan Vinod
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Macro 02

Second Place

At the Hub of Diffraction by Mike Friel
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Macro 03

Third Place

Whitetail metamorphosis by Mark Seaver
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Wildlife

Wildlife 01

First Place

Best Friends by Ingrid Vekemans
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Wildlife 02

Second Place

Poke! by Max Waugh
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Wildlife 03

Third Place

Violence at the Hatchery by Gary Minish
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Weekly Challenge

The Kiss Of Death

First Place

The Kiss of Death by Kristen Smith
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WC 02

Second Place

Driftwood Abstract by Dick Knudson
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Third Place

WC 03

Eternal Embrace by David Haynes
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Nature Photographer of the Year

Ed McGuirk

This year’s pick for Nature Photographer of the Year is one of our very own moderators, Ed McGuirk. Ed is incredibly talented with a knack for intimate landscapes. Ed’s consistent quality and creativity earned him the top spot this year. Ed has proven that despite limits on travel this year, you can create incredible imagery no matter where you are.

View Ed’s Portfolio