In celebration of Earth Day, we went into our archives to find some of the best nature photos captured by our photographers in the past decade.
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Orange in bloom
The first signs of spring were evident at Cox Arboretum Metropark in this March 2011 photo. JIM WITMER / STAFF
Reflections
Small drops
"Blaze of Glory" hosta was one of the hundreds of plants that were sold at the Wegerzyn Gardens Foundation 36th annual MayFair plant sale in 2008. LISA POWELL / STAFF
Rain? Who cares
Taking advantage of the warm weather despite a constant drizzle, Barb Ortel of Tipp City walked the winding road for exercise in Taylorsville MetroPark near Brown School Road in Vandalia in 2008. JIM WITMER / STAFF
Worth a closer look
Neil Chapman, 3, takes a look at the blooming flowers at Cox Arboretum & Gardens MetroPark Sunday while visiting with his mother, Dee Chapman of Centerville. LISA POWELL / STAFF
Silently stalking
A Great Blue Heron silently stalks its prey in the shallow waters along the Island MetroPark bike path. JIM WITMER/STAFF
Another perspective
Melissa Liput of Dayton (right) takes a walk through Cox Arboretum MetroPark in Miami Twp. with Quinn Eversole and Andrew Wunderlich, both 4 years old and from Dayton, to enjoy the sunshine and blooming spring flowers. LISA POWELL / STAFF
Upside down
A pair of ducks go tales up to feed from the bottom of a pond at Cox Arboretum and MetroPark in Miami Twp. LISA POWELL / STAFF
Flat view
MetroParks employee Dan Sahli tours the Medlar Bikeway. JIM WITMER / STAFF
Out for a stroll
Hikers take a walking tour of the 112-acre Huffman Prairie State Natural Landmark. Five Rivers MetroParks has partnered with WPAFB since 1988 to restore the prairie which is one of the largest tallgrass prairie remnants in Ohio. LISA POWELL / STAFF
Majestic eagles
A Bald Eagle flies over the marina at Hueston Woods State Park on May 16, 2014. GREG LYNCH / STAFF
Running toward the skyline
Brett Layton of Beavercreek takes a run with his dog "Meaty" along the path near Deeds Point MetroPark in Dayton. LISA POWELL / STAFF
Ribbit
A frog suns itself near the bank of dogwood pond at Hills and Dales Metropark in Kettering. MICHAEL FRANZ / STAFF
Mmm. Yummy.
A Cecropia moth caterpillar munches on a leaf inside the Butterfly House at Cox Arboretum MetroPark. JIM WITMER / STAFF
Have a seat
A Great Spangled Fritillary sits on a purple cone flower at the Aullwood Audubon Center prairie. LISA POWELL / STAFF
Ahh. Solitude.
Dave McAfee fishes the Mad River flowing into the Huffman Dam. JIM WITMER/STAFF
Winter views
Hiking in Taylorsville MetroPark in Vandalia during the winter can offer views of milkweed pods in managed grasslands, mature wooded ravines and the Great Miami River. LISA POWELL / STAFF
Deer crossing
A deer stands in a lawn in the area of Park Road near Ridgeway in Oakwood. JIM WITMER / STAFF
Lying on the pond
Fall leaves float across reflections of trees on Dogwood Pond located at Hills & Dales MetroPark in Kettering. LISA POWELL / STAFF
Major tree house
The Tree Tower at Cox Arboretum MetroPark in Miami Twp. The observation tower, which rises 46 feet above the ground, was designed by Belgian landscape architect Francois Goffinet. At the top visitors have a panoramic view of a collection of conifers and the arboretum grounds. LISA POWELL / STAFF
With best friend
Tyler Mittlestead and his English setter Chester take a paddle at Eastwood MetroPark Lake. Mittlestead, of Centerville, said it was Chester's first time on the stand up paddle board. CHRIS STEWART / STAFF
Get out on the river
Over 50 kayakers made up of students from the University of Dayton's River Stewards program start a two-day trip down the Great Miami River in August. LISA POWELL / STAFF
Yellow on yellow
The Jean V. Woodhull Prairie at Possum Creek MetroPark in Dayton is a good place to view tall grasses, flowers, birds and insects from summer into fall. LISA POWELL / STAFF
Hanging at the butterfly house
Looking upward
An ancient Elm tree about six feet around sits on a 15-acre property along the Stillwater River that Five Rivers MetroParks. JIM WITMER / STAFF
Get in line
More than 500 bicyclists commute to Riverscape MetroPark in downtown Dayton for a free pancake breakfast on National Bike to Work Day. LISA POWELL / STAFF
Fun in the sun
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