The 2025 Audubon Photography Awards: Honorable Mentions

Youth: Jake Hillygus

Contest: United States and Canada
Species: Common Raven
Image Location: Monterey County, California, United States 
Camera: Canon EOS R7 with a Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 lens at 450mm and a Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R; 1/800 second at f/8; ISO 6400 

Behind the Shot: Whenever my mom goes on work trips, I tag along so I can bird wherever she goes. On a trip to California, we went to Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park at dawn with the intention of photographing California Condors, which are present in relatively high numbers there. Instead, I found a pair of Common Ravens at a pull-off. The pair hopped from boulder to boulder, never leaving each other’s side. They showed no fear as I approached, seemingly curious about my camera. They preened each other’s feathers and nestled close together in the soft morning light. Their bond seemed to be as close as any human relationship, and their behaviors conveyed their sharp corvid intelligence. When the sun finally rose over the sea cliffs, they left, and I resumed my hunt for condors. 

Bird Lore: Indigenous cultures all over the Northern Hemisphere have admired Common Ravens for millennia. Modern scientists admire them as well. These are considered to be among the most intelligent of birds, with a level of awareness that seems eerily human. Members of a mated pair of ravens stay together at all seasons, foraging cooperatively and even engaging in active play. The two birds often perch very close together, preening each other’s feathers—a behavior called allopreening—which probably helps strengthen their bond.    

Judge’s Take (Sabine Meyer): It’s hard not to anthropomorphize this lovely capture. The raven pair seem to quietly bond like partners in a comfortable relationship, their gaze focused away, each lost in their own thoughts. The exposure is spot on with catchlight in both eyes. The velvety sheen of their feathers blends in like a regal cloak.

Youth: Camilo Sanabria Grajales

Contest: Chile and Colombia
Species: Pied-billed Grebe 
Image Location: Darién, Valle del Cauca, Colombia 
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 with a Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary lens at 600mm; 1/800 second at f/6.3; ISO 1600 

Behind the Shot: I’d been on Lake Calima all day, and it was a special one. I was using my new lens for the first time, which I’d bought with the money I earned by putting together a raffle and selling my PlayStation and a trampoline we had at home. With the winds blowing, I was bending down when suddenly, a Pied-billed Grebe diving for food captured my attention. Little by little, it came closer until it was just a few meters away. It was already 6 pm, so getting the lighting right was increasingly challenging. But then, the bird twitched, and its wet feathers fluffed up. I knew I had to snap a photo. When I saw the results, I felt the effort—the raffle, the sales, the time I spent that day—was worth it.       

Bird Lore: Pied-billed Grebes are masters of aquatic living. To swim underwater they can make a headfirst dive, or they can sink gradually, sometimes pausing with only their heads exposed. They adjust their buoyancy partly with deft control of the amount of air or water trapped by their body feathers. They also use their feathers for a more surprising purpose: They eat them. Adults eat many of their own feathers all year round and feed them to their young. These feathers may help protect the grebes’ stomach lining from fish bones and other sharp objects. 

Judge’s Take (Natalia Ekelund): The direct gaze of the grebe generates an immediate emotional connection with the viewer. Despite its apparent simplicity, the image conveys a sense of calm and curiosity, showing a remarkable understanding of animal behavior in an intimate moment. 

Birds Without Borders: Maceo Susi 

Contest: United States and Canada
Species: Sanderling
Image Location: Halibut Point State Park, Massachusetts, United States
Camera: Canon EOS R6 Mark II with a Canon RF-S 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM lens at 18mm; 1/2 second at f/10; ISO 100 

Behind the Shot: Hundreds of Sanderlings flocked to the rocky shoreline to feed. The intense surf combined with the massive group of birds scurrying to avoid the crashing waves prompted me to use a wide angle as I laid on the ground with my camera. I wanted to capture the dynamic nature of the scene, so I lowered my shutter speed to 0.5 seconds. I waited for waves to approach so the Sanderlings would react and move in the frame. I needed to capture the birds standing still for half the time the shutter was open, but the birds needed to move for the other half. If they moved too fast, the birds would become a blur; too slow, and I would not capture their motion. I remained as still as possible and fired as many shots as I could. Finally the moment lined up. 

Bird Lore: Sanderlings are birds of extremes. Almost all their breeding sites lie north of the Arctic Circle, on open tundra. But when they depart these remote regions, they may fly to shorelines practically anywhere in the world, spending the winter along coasts from Japan, England, and Canada to the southern reaches of Australia, Africa, and South America. There they focus on the water’s shifting edge, where waves crash on beaches or rocks. Dashing back and forth, the Sanderlings snatch tiny invertebrates left behind by each retreating wave. 

Judge’s Take (Lucas Bustamente): I love this frame because it gives us that ideal tide, cloud, and seabird feeling. The photographer did remarkable work by choosing underexposed light and a shutter speed to give a sense of movement of both waves and birds— while keeping them somewhat sharp. The waves and birds look like they are moving together. To me, this photo represents wild nature at its best!  

Birds Without Borders: Leonardo Guzmán-Jiménez 

Contest: Chile and Colombia
Species: Greater Yellowlegs 
Image Location: Chía, Cundinamarca, Colombia 
Camera: Sony Alpha 7R IV with a Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens at 600mm; 1/1000 second at f/10; ISO 500 

Behind the Shot: It was the beginning of February, and I went for a walk to one of the lakes near my home in Chia. Under the sporadic morning sun, among a variety of aquatic birds, I saw an uncommon species that can only be seen here during North America’s winter season. The shorebird, also known as Greater Yellowlegs in the North and Pitotoy Grande in the South, was hunting. The bird moved fast, but I was able to capture a serene moment. The roofs of the surrounding houses tinted the water red and delicate golden ripples encircled the bird. The Pitotoy Grande is a timid species, so I was lucky to get several shots. 

Bird Lore: Most members of the sandpiper family tend to be sociable. Some gather in dense flocks during migration and non-breeding season, feeding on tiny organisms that abound on tidal flats. But the Greater Yellowlegs is the opposite. Usually solitary or in very small flocks, it wades in shallow water to pursue more dispersed prey, including large aquatic insects and small fish. Breeding at scattered ponds in boreal forest across southern Alaska and central Canada, it spreads out to wintering sites all the way from the southern United States to the southern tip of South America. 

Judge’s Take (Natalia Ekelund): The solitary bird, framed by the golden lines of the water, creates a harmonious and balanced composition that conveys calm and elegance. This photo tells us about the beauty of simplicity and the essential role of water for migratory birds.

Birds In Landscapes, Colombia: Julián Felipe Arbeláez Aristizábal 

Contest: Chile and Colombia
Species: Torrent Duck  
Image Location: Villamaría, Caldas, Colombia 
Camera: Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-RX10 IV with fixed 24-600mm lens at 111mm; 1.6 seconds at f/16; ISO 64  

Behind the Shot: I’ve always been fascinated by the Torrent Duck’s beauty and nimbleness in the water, and I hoped to portray the species’ habitat with a minimalist style. I wanted to use the river rocks to direct the viewer’s gaze to the female bird and decided to give the water a silk effect to make for an interesting touch. I would only get this shot by sitting patiently. With my tripod set up near where the ducks sleep, I avoided the slightest movement, and I waited, camouflaged for about two hours. Jorge Osorio, my guide in the adventure, wondered why I was still taking pictures past sunset in the dimming light. Later, I showed him the results of my experiment: the Torrent Duck’s habitat, an abundant and mighty river, portrayed with calm and softness.

Bird Lore:  Only a few duck species are adapted to live in rushing streams. The well-named Torrent Ducks, denizens of the Andes from Venezuela to Argentina, are the ultimate examples. They favor steep, narrow gorges, diving and swimming beneath the surface where the waters leap and tumble over boulders in the streambed. Big feet and strong legs propel them through the swift current, while their long tails help provide steering. Baby Torrent Ducks enter their turbulent world early: They can swim expertly within a few hours after hatching.

Judge’s Take (Natalia Ekelund): A photograph full of subtlety and movement: The silky texture of the water in contrast to the static rocks and the small duck amid the current creates an atmosphere of strength and resilience. The scene conveys the fragility and tenacity of wildlife.

Birds in Landscapes: Charlie Sandbo    

Contest: United States and Canada 
Species: Andean Condor 
Image Location: Torres Del Paine National Park, Magallanes and Chilean Antarctica, Chile 
Camera: Sony Alpha 7 III with a 200mm f/2.8 II lens; 1/1000 second at f/8; ISO 250 

Behind the Shot: Few forces of nature command awe like the untamed weather of Patagonia, a vast, wind-scoured wilderness where the elements reign supreme. Nowhere is this raw power more evident than in the Cuernos del Paine, a series of jagged, horn-like peaks rising defiantly from the heart of Chile’s most famous park. Winds stung my exposed eyes and hands as I raised my gaze upwards to see an Andean Condor soar above the towering, ice swept peaks. With immense wings spanning nearly 11 feet, the widest of any raptor, this ancient ruler of the sky masterfully navigated the turbulent thermals, where only the bold dare to venture. 

Bird Lore: The largest vulture species in the Americas, the Andean Condor ranges the length of the Andes, from western Venezuela (where it is now rare) to southernmost Chile and Argentina. Everywhere it soars over the open country, scanning for the carrion on which it feeds; high mountains above treeline make up much of its habitat. But toward the south it comes down to grassy plains of the lowlands and to the coast, where several condors may gather to dine on dead seals, whales, or other marine mammals washed up on shore. 

Judge’s Take (Evan Barrientos): The awe that you feel in high, snowy mountains is hard to describe—but this photo shows it. To me, this is a portrait of the powerful beauty of the Andes. I love the snow blowing off the mountain, the twist of the ridge, and how it leads to the condor. The photo is also an example of how it’s possible to take great photos of birds from far away. 

Birds in Landscapes, Chile: Francisco Vera Núñez

Contest: Chile and Colombia
Species: Austral Pygmy-Owl 
Image Location: Coyhaique, Aysén, Chile
Camera: Canon R6 with a Sigma EF 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM at 150mm | Sports lens and a RF to EF adaptor; 1/400 second at f/8; ISO 3200 

Behind the Shot: I was walking through a bushy area of Fundo Panguilemu, a family-owned regenerative farm by the Simpson River, as I taught a group of students. One of their assignments was to photograph an animal using certain composition rules, and I joined them in the field to teach by example. It was the wintertime, so dusk came early. Visibility was declining rapidly when I saw a small but robust bird flying overhead. Its profile was unmistakable: a chuncho! The bird perched on a thorny branch, which was interesting on its own, and the contrast between the bush’s deep red rose hips and the sunset’s blue tint made the scene even more attractive. However, the changing light made the shot difficult. I circled the bush and found a natural frame to enclose the little owl, which was already puffing up its feathers against the evening’s cold.  

Bird Lore: As a group, pygmy-owls are widespread, with about two dozen species scattered across five continents, although there are seldom more than one or two species found at any given locale. Very small (as their name suggests) and often active by day, they hunt small birds, rodents, large insects, lizards, and other creatures, searching for prey and then attacking with short, swift flights. The Austral Pygmy-Owl is the only representative in southern South America, where it is common in beech forests and other open woods, and even comes into city parks. 

Judge’s Take (Natalia Ekelund): This delicate and charming composition captivates with its contrast between warm colors in the background and the small pygmy owl in the foreground. Beauty is often found in the most subtle environmental details.

 Plants for Birds, Colombia: Rubén Tórres 

Contest: Chile and Colombia 
Species: Orange-winged Parrot and Blue-headed Parrot  
Image Location: Yalí, Antioquia, Colombia
Camera: Nikon D7500 with a Tamron 150–600mm lens at 600mm; 1/1600 second at f/6.3; ISO 1600 

Behind the Shot: Growing up, my family had a pet Blue-headed Parrot. Today, I remember it as a lesson: Even with no ill intentions, humans can threaten the integrity of wild animals. In 2024, I observed a parrot of the same species roosting in a dead palm. One morning, I heard unusual vocalizations, and I saw a couple of Orange-winged Parrots hanging around. Suddenly, the new visitors began to pull the Blue-headed Parrot, which had returned to nest, out of a hole in the tree. The confrontation was brief but intense, and the Blue-headed Parrot was expelled from the crevice. My image reflects the strength, adaptability, and complexity of these birds, which, far from cages, must struggle to survive in the wild. 

Bird Lore: The many parrot species in South America belong to a number of distinct groups. For example, the Orange-winged Parrot is one of the so-called Amazons (genus Amazona), recognized by their stiff, shallow wingbeats in flight, while the Blue-headed Parrot represents the genus Pionus, smaller birds with deep wingbeats and shrill voices. One thing they share: Like most parrots, they rely on cavities in trees for their nesting sites. Competition for prime sites can be intense, as with these two birds squabbling over a hole in a spiny palm. 

Judge’s Take (Natalia Ekelund): This photograph captures a dynamic and difficult-to-document scene. It conveys movement, communication, and the use of the tree habitat. The composition reflects great patience and excellent timing, which made it worthy of a special mention.

Plants for Birds: Sean Krepski 

Contest: United States and Canada
Species: Rose-breasted Grosbeak 
Image Location: Brooklyn, New York, United States  
Camera: Nikon Z9 with a NIKKOR Z 600mm f/6.3 VR S lens; 1/640 second at f/6.3; ISO 1000 

Behind the Shot: One October morning at the height of fall migration, I joined a local bird club on a walk in Prospect Park. We stopped by a shaded pool with a flowering dogwood tree beside it. This female Rose-breasted Grosbeak, one of our exciting fall migrants, perched among the autumnal red leaves as it feasted on the bright red berries. She was right in front of us but did not seem to notice or care about our presence, focusing solely on those berries. The whole encounter was such a mesmerizing experience, and I knew right away that I had a photo that would convey the emotion of watching this bird.  

Bird Lore:  The big beak of the Rose-breasted Grosbeak looks perfect for cracking open seeds. It is, and grosbeaks often visit bird feeders during spring migration to munch on sunflower seeds. But over the course of the year, this bird has quite a varied menu. It eats many buds, flowers, and seeds. During the breeding season in early summer, more than half its diet may consist of insects such as beetles and caterpillars. In fall it focuses on fruits and berries, perhaps better to fuel its southward migration to the tropics.   

Judge’s Take (Marlene Pantin): This close-up taken in fall captures how important native plants are for birds across all seasons. Flowering dogwoods with glossy red berries persist through autumn and even into winter and are relished by fall migrants such as this Rose-breasted Grosbeak. The photographer does a stunning job of capturing the twisting, acrobatic display of this bird to reach its prize. I love the color streaks of the feathers as a striking contrast to the drooping purple leaves. 

Female Bird Prize: Taryn M. Ware 

Contest: United States and Canada
Species: Acorn Woodpecker 
Image Location: Julian, California, United States 
Camera: Nikon D7500 with a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR lens at 500mm; 1/650 second at f/7.1; ISO 500 

Behind the Shot: I captured this photo while hiking Stonewall Peak in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. The trail is steep with plenty of switchbacks that, although brutal to climb, offer wonderful opportunities to document birds at eye level. I was pursuing a photo of a male Rufous Hummingbird that had been teasing me all morning with brief appearances, but by late morning, I felt defeated and started down the mountain. My spirits lifted when I heard two woodpeckers call back and forth in a stand of dead pine trees. I hiked up and down the trail a few times before spotting a snag full of the riches that give Acorn Woodpeckers their name. Soon, a female appeared. After a while, she finally turned her head to me and provided an excellent opportunity to capture her as she went about her hard labor.  

Bird Lore: Acorn Woodpeckers are famed for (and named for) their food-storing behavior. Living in colonies, they work together to create “granary” trees where they drill numerous holes and cache an acorn in each. All members of the colony dine on the acorns later. Unlike many birds, most woodpeckers have more-or-less equal sex roles in most behaviors. Female and male Acorn Woodpeckers both participate in harvesting and storing acorns. Both take part in incubating eggs and feeding young, and in this species, a single nest may be tended by multiple adults of both sexes. 

Judge’s Take (Joanna Wu): Acorn Woodpeckers are gregarious birds. We loved that this photo was naturally nearly all in monochrome—except for the bird’s bright red crown. Unlike in males, the red doesn’t touch the white on top of the female woodpeckers' bill. 

Coastal Birds, Chile: Solange Sepulveda  

Contest: Chile and Colombia 
Species:  Black-necked Stilt 
Image Location: Papudo, Valparaíso, Chile 
Camera: Nikon Z7 II with a Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary lens at 600mm; 1/320 second at f/6.3; ISO 400 

Behind the Shot: I waited in absolute silence at the Estero Agua Salada wetland, hoping to capture something special. The sun was beginning to set, its golden light reflecting on the water. Suddenly, a couple of Black-necked Stilts burst onto the scene, exhibiting a behavior I had never witnessed so closely: the mating ritual. In a fleeting, delicate, and perfectly synchronized instant, the male balanced on the female and spread his wings—a natural dance, as precise as it was ephemeral. I used a 600mm telephoto lens and lay down on the ground, avoiding any sudden movement that could scare the birds away. Capturing this magical moment, which reveals the complexity and elegance of these birds’ reproductive behavior, reminded me why I love bird photography. 

Bird Lore: With impossibly thin legs and bills, the shorebirds called stilts look almost too delicate to survive in the wild. But they survive, and thrive, on six continents. The Black-necked Stilt, found from Chile north to Hawaii and Canada, varies in its pattern of black and white, with the southernmost populations showing white across the crown and upper back. Both members of a breeding pair are vigorous in defense of their nest, badgering intruders with incessant yapping cries that have earned them the Spanish name of “Perrito,” or little dog. 

Judge’s Take (Natalia Ekelund): Capturing this type of mating moment not only requires patience, but also an understanding of the reproductive cycle and habits of the species. The scene is powerful from an ethological point of view and represents an important visual contribution to the documentation of Chile’s coastal biodiversity.

Video: Anderson Vásquez García 

Contest: Chile and Colombia
Species: Chestnut-headed Oropendola 
Image Location: Buenaventura, Valle del Cauca, Colombia 
Camera: Sony FX 30 ILME-FX30 with a Sony FE 200-600 mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS (SEL200600G) lens; 1/120 second at f/8; ISO 800 

Behind the Shot: Chestnut-headed Oropendola are incredibly social and form large colonies. They return to the same tree each year to build hanging nests. The females are in charge of collecting palm leaf fibers, moss, vines and dry leaves, and painstakingly weaving each nest, hanging it from the thinner end of the branches. For weeks, I filmed this behavior for a documentary I am producing about the species. Watching the young females trying to build their first nests is magical: Their lack of practice shows, and sometimes the result is not very firm, but each attempt is a learning experience. In this clip, a female knots the first fibers of her support structure. 

Bird Lore: The nine species of oropendolas, widespread in the American tropics, are large and colorful members of the blackbird family. They are best known for their nests: hanging pouches, tightly woven from long plant fibers, suspended from exposed branches in tall trees. These nests can be more than a meter long. In their nest building behavior, they can suggest an exaggerated version of their smaller relatives, the orioles. But oriole nests are almost always isolated, while oropendolas gather in colonies, with many nests in a single tree or in a few adjacent trees. 

Judge’s Take (Martín del Río López): This video highlighted the meticulous behavior of a bird at its finest. It's impressive how this species can be both an architect and an engineer, with an attention to detail that inspires and amazes me. The clip offers a good reminder of the importance of conserving this species. 

Video: Nathan Clark 

Contest: United States and Canada
Species: Great Gray Owl 
Image Location: Washington, United States  
Camera: Sony Alpha 1 with a Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens; 1/250 second at f/2.8 

Behind the Shot: Great Gray Owls—with their beautiful eyes, silent flight, and large size—have always been among my favorite birds. I searched for them for two summers and finally found a nest in an old snag. Their successful breeding was my top priority, so I asked a park ranger to advise me on best practices and used a blind. After a bear tore it up, I shot from a hillside using long telephoto lenses, always keeping quiet and avoiding any fast movements. The chicks hatched and their mother sheltered them from rain, fed them prey delivered by the male, and protected the owlets from predators. As the owlets grew into adults, I realized the importance of highlighting the old growth forests and undisturbed tree snags that serve as nest sites for Great Gray Owls and myriad other species. 

Bird Lore: Although they occupy a vast range across northern reaches of North America, Europe, and Asia, Great Gray Owls are generally uncommon everywhere. These big, soft-plumaged hunters require extensive stands of forest—but not unbroken forest, because they often seek their prey in open meadows or bogs. In many places, their numbers may be limited by a lack of nest sites. These owls favor large broken-topped dead trees, called snags, or the abandoned, bulky stick nests of hawks or ravens in tall trees, situations found mainly in undisturbed old-growth forests.  

Judge’s Take (Mick Thompson): Filmed at eye level with exquisite clarity, this slow-motion clip offers an intimate look at one of North America’s most beloved birds. Just as impressive is the respect shown: The videographer clearly used a long lens from a safe distance, ensuring the birds remained undisturbed. It’s a beautiful blend of skill, ethical practices, and awe-inspiring natural behavior.  

 Conservation: Miguel Hechenleitner 

Contest: Chile and Colombia
Species: Gray Gull and Kelp Gull  
Image Location: Quintero, Valparaíso, Chile 
Camera: Canon EOS 7D Mark II with a Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens at 400mm; 1/2000 second at f/10; ISO 640 

Behind the Shot: My wife and I were taking a walk on Ritoque beach, a tourist beach that we frequented on day trips back when we lived in Santiago. Morning and afternoon blended into one another, and without us realizing it, we found ourselves in a lonely spot with many gulls. Even though everything was quiet, we were shocked by the tracks in the sand, which revealed one of the many threats Chile’s more than 2,600 miles of shores face. Since 1998, vehicles have been banned from beaches and dunes, due to their impact on shorebirds reproduction and their role in accelerating coastal erosion. However, this prohibition has not been enshrined as a law. The photo highlights the vulnerability of a threatened ecosystem and underscores the urgent need for solid legislation to enforce the ban and ensure integrated management of Chile’s coasts. 

Bird Lore: Although the Gray Gull is very common in coastal Chile and Peru, for many years no one could find a nest. Not until the 1970s was it confirmed that these gulls were choosing nest sites deep in Chile’s barren Atacama Desert. From these colonies, the adult gulls fly to the coast, up to 70 miles away, returning to regurgitate small fishes and other prey for their young. The advantage of these remote sites seems to be the near absence of predators in one of the world’s most extreme deserts. 

Judge’s Take (Natalia Ekelund): With great sensitivity, this photographer shows the importance of preserving natural spaces for species that depend on them.  This is well-deserved recognition for capturing the essence of conservation. 

Conservation: Gail Bisson 

Contest: United States and Canada
Species: Double-crested Cormorant 
Image Location: Nova Scotia, Canada 
Camera: Canon R5 Mark II with a Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM lens and a Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R; 1/640 second at f/5.6; ISO 2500 

Behind the Shot: I regularly visit the Sydney River to photograph waterfowl. On this gloomy day I caught a glimpse of something moving by the old, abandoned pier. I assumed it was a cormorant flying up from the water, as the pier is a favorite resting spot. When I noticed the movement again, I walked over to investigate and was so upset to find this dead cormorant hanging from the pier, gently swaying in the wind. I realized that the bird had gotten tangled in improperly discarded fishing gear that became a noose when it caught on a nail. As I surveyed the scene, my sadness turned to anger, and I decided to take some photographs. I waded into the water until I was waist deep to get the correct angle.  

Bird Lore: The most widespread cormorant species in North America, the Double-crested is common on inland lakes and coastal waters, breeding in colonies that may contain hundreds of nests. It does all its feeding by diving and swimming underwater, generally not far below the surface in shallow waters, propelling itself with its large, webbed feet. Feeding almost entirely on fish, it may draw ire when anglers regard it as competition. More often, like other diving birds, it falls prey to the anglers’ discarded nets or fishing line just below the surface. 

Judge’s Take (Daniel Dietrich): Conservation images come in many flavors. Some are harder to see than others. This image is a skillful combination of technical knowledge, recognition of opportunity, and powerful messaging. It shows us all that we can do better in our efforts to protect the natural world.