Two California Photographers Win in 2025 International Audubon Photography Awards

Today the National Audubon Society announced the winners of the 2025 Audubon Photography Awards – including two winning photographers from California and two honorable mention photos taken in the state.  

The Plants for Birds prize was awarded to Barbara Swanson from San Diego County for her exceptional photo of a Brandt’s Cormorant in La Jolla, flying in with a full beak of seagrass and red grape algae. Parham Pourahmad of Santa Clara County received the Youth Prize for his elegant image of a Long-eared Owl gliding above a marsh during golden hour in Coyote Hills Regional Park, Fremont. And two of the 15 honorable mention awardees were for images taken in California, with Youth runner-up Jake Hillygus capturing a serene close-up of two Common Ravens in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park and Female Bird runner-up Taryn M. Ware highlighting an Acorn Woodpecker with her namesake acorn cache in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. 

“We are thrilled that two winners and two honorable mentions of this prestigious competition are from California, with stunning photographs that showcase the beauty of our state’s landscapes and birds,” said Andrea Jones, interim Executive Director of Audubon California. “As one of the most biodiverse places in the world and with around 600 bird species spotted, California is critical to conservation progress. We hope these photos inspire more bird lovers, nature enthusiasts, and all Californians across the state, to help protect the habitats that birds and people need to thrive.” 

Award winners and honorable mentions will be featured in the Fall 2025 issue of Audubon magazine, and select photos and videos will also be featured in digital galleries promoted on Audubon's website and social channels throughout the year.  

Audubon California works to protect the Brandt’s Cormorant, Long-eared Owl, and all the state’s almost 600 species of birds through on-the-ground conservation and advocacy efforts across the state. From partnering with working lands in the Central Valley and stewarding coasts to campaigning for habitat protections and engaging local communities through centers and sanctuaries, Audubon California is making a lasting impact on California’s landscapes and the wildlife that depends on them. 

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Media contact:   Shineh Rhee, Communications Director,  Audubon California  

shineh.rhee@audubon.org  

415.644.4605  

Audubon California is a regional office of the National Audubon Society. Learn more at audubon.org/california and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter @AudubonCA.     

The National Audubon Society is a leading nonprofit conservation organization with 120 years of science-based, community-driven impact, dedicated to protecting birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Birds are powerful indicators of our planet’s health, acting as sentinels that warn us of environmental change and inspire action. Audubon works across the Western Hemisphere, driven by the understanding that what is good for birds is good for the planet. Through a collaborative, bipartisan approach across habitats, borders, and the political spectrum, Audubon drives meaningful and lasting conservation outcomes. With 800 staff and over 1.9 million supporters, Audubon is a dynamic and ever-growing force committed to ensuring a better planet for both birds and people for generations to come.