Wildlife in Nature or Wildlife in the City?

 When most people think of wildlife photography, they picture vast, untouched nature—lush forests, wide meadows, or calm lakes. These natural environments are beautiful, and photographing wildlife there often feels like capturing nature in its purest form. But there’s also something special about photographing wildlife in urban settings. The mix of nature and human-made surroundings offers its own challenges and rewards. 
(Photo: Canadian geese resting on the sport field)

Wildlife in cities can be fascinating because it shows how animals have adapted to living alongside humans. Birds, squirrels, raccoons, foxes, and even deer are seen in city parks, on rooftops, or wandering through streets, all trying to survive in a world shaped by people. What makes
urban wildlife photography interesting is the contrast. The animals blend into the background of concrete, metal, and glass, making for powerful images where wildlife seems out of place. This contrast adds a deeper meaning to the shot.

Urban wildlife photography often shows a mix of environments. You might capture a pigeon sitting on a streetlight while cars rush by or a fox running through a busy street. These moments highlight the tension between nature and human development, showing how wildlife finds ways to adapt and thrive in cities. It makes us think about how urbanization affects animals and how they’re constantly adjusting to our world.

What I also find fascinating about urban wildlife photography is how it allows for a closer connection with the animals. In nature, animals tend to be shy and hard to approach, but in the city, many are more used to human presence. This makes it easier to photograph them, but it also gives a different perspective—animals living in the same world as we do. Capturing these moments of interaction between wildlife and human spaces sparks a conversation about our relationship with nature and how we share our environments.

Personally, I find photographing wildlife in urban settings to be more challenging. Animals in the city are more aware of movement and changes around them, so it can be hard to get the perfect shot. But when you do capture a good moment, it often feels more connected to everyday life. It’s part of the world I see around me. That’s what makes urban wildlife photography interesting—it shows a different side of nature, mixed with the city, and adds meaning in a way that’s not always found in more traditional wildlife photography.

Eastern grey squirrel

At the end of the day, both wildlife photography in nature and urban wildlife photography have their unique charm. Each offers something different, and both can tell powerful stories about the world we live in.

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