The 2025 Audubon Photography Awards: The Top 100

1. White-eyed Parakeet by Sarah Hong

Contest: United States and Canada

Image Location: Iguaçu National Park, Paraná State, Brazil

Camera: Sony Alpha 9 with a Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens; 1/5000 second at f/2.8; ISO 400

Behind the Shot: One morning during our visit to Iguaçu National Park, home to an awe-inspiring stretch of waterfalls spanning 1.7 miles along the border of Brazil and Argentina, my dad and I set out at dawn. Instead of the usual throngs of tourists, the viewing platform was occupied by a band of coatis, which scattered as we approached. We soaked in the views as the mist shifted from rosy- pink to gold to white—and were soaked in return by the spray. As the sky brightened, flocks of green parakeets began to stir, but their swift and erratic movement made adjusting the shutter speed and locking focus a challenge. I waited, wiping droplets from my lens, until I could capture this fleeting moment. It’s humbling to think that these birds live in such a magnificent place, where they fly through rainbows to get their breakfast. I hope this image reminds us of the importance of preserving such places—not just for us, but for all the creatures that call them home.

2. Golden-bellied Starfrontlet by María Paula Lorenzo Moreno

Contest: Chile and Colombia

Image Location: Tenjo, Cundinamarca, Colombia

Camera: Sony Alpha 7 IV with a Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens; 1/500 second at f/6.3; ISO 6400

Behind the Shot: We arrived in the Subachoque highlands hoping to photograph eagles, but the thick fog, intense cold, and biting wind were harsh. We waited for hours for conditions to improve but eventually decided to look elsewhere to connect with nature. On our way toward the city of Tenjo, a small cave beside the road caught our attention, and we stopped. A trickle of water spilled from the cave, and as if by magic we heard the unmistakable song of hummingbirds. We stood in silence waiting. One by one, they appeared and ducked under the water to bathe, oblivious to our presence. It was a moment of amazement and gratitude: The photograph we thought was lost that day appeared unexpectedly.

3. White-crowned Sparrow by Protik Mohammad Hossain

Contest: United States and Canada

Image Location: Puyallup, Washington, United States

Camera: Sony Alpha 1 with a Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 lens; 1/80 second at f/22; ISO 3200

Behind the Shot: I had long had a vision of capturing a moment where wildlife, blooming wildflowers, and a glowing Mount Rainier all came together in one frame. But last spring, when I finally found myself in the right place at the right time, I faced several technical challenges. I had scanned the vibrant field of lupines in front of me, hoping to spot a bird, when first one White-crowned Sparrow, and then a second, appeared and began feeding on the flowers. I knew I had to act quickly. I was shooting handheld in the soft glow of the sunset. Stabilizing and timing the shot was difficult, and the low light required a careful balance of settings to retain enough depth of field to keep the mountain recognizable while freezing the birds in motion. I was lucky to capture both birds in the frame. The image reflects the harmony of life in the Pacific Northwest and the serendipitous moments that feel like nature’s most generous gifts.

4. Whooper Swan by Yoshiki Nakamura

Contest: United States and Canada

Image Location: Hokkaido, Japan

Camera: Nikon Z9 with a Nikon NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena lens; 1/4000 second at f/1.8; ISO 80

Behind the Shot: Whooper Swans gather in the open waters of Lake Kussharo, where hot springs rise to the surface and keep parts of the lake from freezing. Typically, these graceful birds play and float individually, each immersed in their own serene world. However, there was a magical moment when many simultaneously raised their heads, all gazing in the same direction as if drawn by an unseen cue. Despite the extreme cold, I positioned my camera on the ground to capture this low-angle perspective, allowing me to include both the swans and the mountain in the frame. I was fortunate to capture this beautiful collective movement set against the stunning winter backdrop.

5. Red Knot and other sandpipers by Damon L. Brundage

Contest: United States and Canada

Image Location: Jones Beach State Park, Nassau County, New York, United States

Camera: Canon EOS 90D with a Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II lens; 1/800 second at f/4; ISO 1250

Behind the Shot: On an overcast day, I crawled over wet sand in my chest waders. I stopped roughly 100 feet from a mixed flock of several hundred shorebirds. Several dozen birds moved closer, seemingly oblivious to the photographer lying motionless on the sand. My shallow depth of field allowed me to let me isolate this Red Knot among gently blurred Sanderlings and Semipalmated Sandpipers. Red Knots may appear fragile, but they are among the world’s great long-distance migrants, flying from South America wintering grounds to Alaska and Canadian Arctic breeding grounds. But challenges abound. In recent years, Jones Beach clammers have descended upon critical habitat used by migrating shorebirds, destroying the horseshoe crab roe upon which the knots feed. Hopefully access to this site will be restricted before it’s too late.

6. Common Nighthawk by Beau Cotter

Contest: United States and Canada

Image Location: Mill Pond Park, Isabella County, Michigan, United States

Camera: Nikon D500 with a AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm F/5.6E ED VR lens; 1/1600 second at f/8; ISO 1000 

Behind the Shot: I was looking at dusk for a rare Prothonotary Warbler reported in my local park when I heard an interesting noise in the marsh. It was a Common Nighthawk! It flew all around, sometimes coming right overhead and then past the distant trees. I noticed the waxing crescent moon directly overhead and thought if I could capture the nighthawk flying right in front of the moon, it would make for a contest-winning shot. Despite my intense doubt, I waited. The bird was very fast and unpredictable, making sudden turns and banks in the air. It was difficult to keep in the frame, let alone in focus. Finally, I watched through my viewfinder as the nighthawk flew directly in front of the moon, and I desperately fired away.

7. Dunlin by Tom Warren

Contest: United States and Canada

Image Location: Hammonasset Beach State Park, Connecticut, United States

Camera: Nikon D610 with a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 20mm f/1.8G ED lens and B+W 10-stop neutral density filter; 30 second exposure at f/8; ISO 400

Behind the Shot: While walking along a rocky shoreline at dusk, I stumbled upon a solitary Dunlin unfazed by my intrusion. To my amazement, it stayed perfectly still while I set up my tripod. I decided to use my wide-angle lens with a 10-stop neutral density filter attached. My goal was to capture long exposures of the shorebird in its surroundings. The water swirled softly around the rocks. For this moment, the cares of the world vanished as the last sliver of sunlight disappeared beneath the clouds. When it was time for me to leave, the bird was still there, exactly where I had found it. If I can learn anything from this shorebird, it might be that it’s important to find time to just be still and allow our worldly concerns to recede with the tide.

8. Burrowing Owl by Asher Lee

Contest: United States and Canada

Image Location: Syracuse, Utah, United States

Camera: Canon EOS R8 with a Canon RF 100-500mm F/4.5-7.1 L IS USM lens; 1/2000 second at f/8; ISO 1250

Behind the Shot: Bird photography is often a waiting game. I sat for hours in my car on a hot day watching some Burrowing Owls from a distance. I kept watching, hoping they would do something exciting, but the birds did nothing. I worried that I had wasted an afternoon with nothing to show for it. My camera was overheating and so was I. But I decided to keep waiting, knowing that the owls might get more active near sunset. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a Burrowing Owl fly straight at me. The sun was just going behind a hill, but luckily, there was just enough light to create a beautiful glow.

9. Costa’s Hummingbird by Lisa Kaplowitz

Contest: United States and Canada

Image Location: Palm Springs, California, United States

Camera: Nikon Z8 with a Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR lens and UV Filter; 1/3200 second at f/13; ISO 125

Behind the Shot: I am especially enamored with the resident Costa’s Hummingbirds of Palm Springs. Inspired by the pioneering work of Australian photographer Christian Spencer, I shot this photo shortly after sunrise. I love how the sunlight diffracts through his wings, creating a prismatic rainbow effect. I took advantage of Nikon’s pre-release capture technology, allowing me to photograph the bird’s movements in the moments before and after I fully depressed the shutter as the bird took flight. This hummingbird perched on a zip tie used to secure a misting system. At first, I didn’t like the aesthetics of the zip tie, but it provided a unique photographic perch for these beautiful, winged jewels and enabled me to capture a magical phenomenon invisible to the naked eye.

10. Whooping Crane and Red-winged Blackbird by Andrea Slemmons

Contest: United States and Canada

Image Location: Goose Island, Rockport, Texas, United States

Camera: Nikon Z9 with a Nikon NIKKOR 600mm f/4 lens TC VR S lens; 1/640 second at f/4; ISO 400

Behind the Shot: I flew to Texas in search of Whooping Cranes. We chartered a boat to take us up the intercoastal waterway. The weather was very foggy, and the cranes were very far away. While it was amazing to observe the cranes from a distance, I wasn’t able to get many good photos. Once off of the boat, we drove around the area and found a field with several cranes and a huge flock of Red-winged Blackbirds. Something startled the blackbirds, and the flock flew up behind the crane. I was thrilled.

11. Northern Giant-Petrel by Yeifran Aular Gudiño

Contest: Chile and Colombia

Image Location: San Antonio, Valparaíso, Chile

Camera: Sony Alpha 6700 with a Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens; 1/500 second at f/6.3; ISO 125

Behind the Shot: My high school class went to the high seas to study pelagic birds, in collaboration with the Chilean Navy. We were out sailing when, for the first time in my life, I saw the Northern Giant-Petrel. I never imagined that a bird could have such a strong scent: It smelled of burnt oil. Its presence was unmistakable among the other birds. Imposing, distinct, almost intimidating. But what struck me most was its gaze. It had clear eyes, with a serious and deep expression. Taking the picture was not easy. We were in constant motion, the wind and waves shook the boat, and I had to make several attempts to get the focus right. I hope it conveys some of what we felt that day: the excitement of discovery, respect for marine life, and the desire to protect it.

12. Atlantic Puffin by Isaac Polanski

Contest: United States and Canada

Image Location: Elliston, Newfoundland, Canada

Camera: Sony Alpha 1 with a Sony 50mm f/1.4 GM lens; 1/2500 second at f/1.4; ISO 1000

Behind the Shot: Seeing an Atlantic Puffin has been a life goal of mine, so a friend and I organized a trip to photograph the birds in Canada. I am a landscape photographer and a storm chaser, so I wanted to get images of the puffins that were different from standard close-ups. With that in mind, I tried the 50mm and 12-24mm lenses for wider angle shots. Getting flight shots with the 50mm proved especially hard. Most puffins flew farther from the cliffs, but every so often one would fly right against the edge. I waited for one to fly close and tracked it as it went by. It was the trip of a lifetime. It also made me want to do more to protect these beautiful creatures.

13. Common Tern by Melissa Teller

Contest: United States and Canada

Image Location: Long Island, New York, United States

Camera: Canon EOS R5 with a Canon RF 600mm f/4L IS USM lens and a Canon Extender RF 1.4x; 1/2000 second at f/5.6; ISO 2500 

Behind the Shot: I was lying in the sand at a safe distance from a nesting colony of Common Terns, watching some parents with their newborn chicks. Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted two adult terns engaged in a behavior I had not witnessed before. With their bills locked together, one tern was suspended in the air above the other. I pivoted my camera and started clicking, thrilled to be able to capture this encounter. Perhaps the tern on the sand had expected a fish from its mate and expressed displeasure when its mate returned without one. The two tussled for a minute with their bills locked before one flew off—maybe to rectify its mistake.

14. Greater Roadrunner and Gambel's Quail by Andy DeBroux

Contest: United States and Canada

Image Location: Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve, Henderson, Nevada, United States

Camera: Canon EOS R5 with a Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM lens; 1/3200 second at f/7.1; ISO 800 

Behind the Shot: For the last three years while at a work conference in Las Vegas, I’ve gotten up early to bird. Last year, I came across a Greater Roadrunner that would dart into the brush and then come running out. I was curious about what it was doing, so I kept following it. Eventually, I realized the roadrunner was stalking a family of Gambel’s Quail hoping to snag a young one for a meal. The quail got fed up trying to deter the roadrunner and finally chased it away. In the photo, you can see a cloud of dust where the roadrunner abruptly turned to escape the angry quail parents. Bird interactions are one of my favorite types of photos to capture because they are generally more interesting than photos of solo birds, so when I saw this image on my camera, and all of the birds were in focus, I was beyond ecstatic.

15. Blue-footed Booby by Andrés Felipe Ramírez Goyeneche

Contest: Chile and Colombia

Image Location: Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

Camera: Sony Alpha 7 IV with a Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary lens; 1/3200 second at f/6.3; ISO 400

Behind the Shot: Blue-footed Boobies are living symbols of the Galapagos, and I had been trying for several days to photograph their fishing prowess. I spotted some birds diving into the sea near a cliff, so I decided to climb up, carrying my telephoto lens under the blazing sun. When I got there, I noticed a booby about 30 feet away, looking at me with curiosity. I stopped. I didn't pick up the camera. I just watched him, and he watched me. Slowly, he began to preen himself, unfazed, as if inviting me to witness his daily routine. His movements were expressive, even graceful. It wasn't the action shot I was looking for, but it was an intimate and unexpected portrait. Sometimes the most powerful thing is not in the spectacular, but in the subtlety that only trust can create.

16. Shoebill by Jason Holzworth

Contest: United States and Canada

Image Location: Mabamba Swamp, Entebbe, Uganda

Camera: Canon R5 Mark II with a Canon RF 100-300mm f/2.8 L IS USM lens and Canon Extender RF 1.4x; 1/3200 second at f/4; ISO 1250

Behind the Shot: Paddling through the swamp in a worn wooden canoe, my desire was to get a glimpse of a Shoebill. Fewer than 15 Shoebills are left in the 64-square mile swamp, but the Ugandan guide at the helm of our vessel knew his way around. As we steered through the thick vegetation, I saw a large object in the distance. As we got closer, I realized it was a Shoebill. The bird turned, faced us, and took my breath away. I was overcome with emotion; I felt like I was watching a living dinosaur. The bird was decisive but elegant in its movements as it hunted. It is my hope that through this image, people will be moved by the elegance, grace, and power exhibited by the Shoebill and realize actions must be taken to protect this and other species from habitat loss, climate change, hunting, and ultimately extinction.

17. Western Cattle-Egret by Michael Dreese

Contest: United States and Canada

Image Location: Polk County, Florida, United States

Camera: Nikon Z8 with a Nikon NIKKOR Z 600mm f/6.3 VR S lens; 1/1000 second at f/6.3; ISO 1800

Behind the Shot: On a foggy morning, I went to photograph shorebirds on a 1,000-foot long fishing pier tucked behind the small community of Indian Lakes Estate. The deck lights remained on because of the low light, and I noticed a large flock of cattle-egrets. Every few seconds one of the birds would take flight and land a short distance away. My goal was to capture a bird in flight framed precisely between the lights. Lying on my stomach, I shot upwards to elevate the stature of my subject. Finally, a bird in beautiful breeding plumage flew into the perfect spot with a nice wing position. In most instances, I strive to exclude human-made elements from my photography. I’m so happy that I broke this rule to capture this unique urban wildlife image of our adaptable avian neighbors.

18. Blackburnian Warbler by Jacobo Giraldo Trejos

Contest: Chile and Colombia

Image Location: Dosquebradas, Risaralda, Colombia

Camera: Canon EOS R50 with a Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary lens; 1/250 second at f/6.3; ISO 1000 

Behind the Shot: This photograph has a spontaneous and almost magical backstory. It all started one random afternoon, when I looked out the window of my house and noticed intense bird activity in the trees nearby. Driven by curiosity, I grabbed my camera. But what happened next exceeded all my expectations. A male Blackburnian Warbler suddenly appeared in a tree close to me, standing out with its vibrant orange throat. The bird was foraging, utterly oblivious to my presence. The golden light of sunset made the scene even more special. I waited patiently and then pressed the shutter. It was a moment of deep connection—the kind that reminds you that even on the most ordinary of days, it’s worth getting out with your camera.

19. Magnificent Frigatebird by Liron Gertsman

Contest: United States and Canada

Location: Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico

Camera: Canon EOS R5 with a Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 IS USM lens; 1/4000 second at f/7.1; ISO 10000

Behind the Shot: While dreaming up some crazy wildlife photo concepts, I had an idea: What would it take to photograph birds during a total solar eclipse? Obviously, this was going to be difficult to pull off. Total solar eclipses only take place somewhere on the planet every 1 to 3 years and eclipse totality typically lasts just a few minutes. It is also very hard to know what birds are going to do when darkness envelops the Earth in the middle of the day. After more than a year of research and planning, and close to a week of intensive scouting, it all came together the morning of April 8, 2024. I used a small boat to position myself near islets where I found lots of seabirds. As the moon began to uncover the edge of the sun at the end of totality, I captured this image of a Magnificent Frigatebird in front of the spectacular eclipse phase known as the “diamond ring,” a moment that lasts just a few seconds.

20. Glaucous-winged Gull by Simon Smith

Contest: United States and Canada

Image Location: Lake Clark National Park, Alaska, United States

Camera: Sony Alpha 7R V with a Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens; 1/1250 second at f/2.8; ISO 250

Behind the Shot: Bears and gulls have a symbiotic relationship on the coastal mudflats of Alaska. Gulls call to alert the bears when the tide is low enough to clam, and the bears come to dig up the clams, leaving the leftovers behind for gulls to eat. I wanted to capture this relationship from the perspective of the gull, so I got low and waited for a bear to walk into the foreground to create a frame for the bird.

21. White-throated Sparrow by Nadia Haq

Contest: United States and Canada

Image Location: Lexington, Massachusetts, United States

Camera: Canon EOS R5 with a Canon RF 600mm f/4 L IS USM lens; 1/1600 second at f/4; ISO 1600 

Behind the Shot: During a snowstorm in February 2025, I set up a bird blind in my backyard. I sat in it for most of the day in freezing temperatures to photograph the little birds that visit the feeder. I decided to make it extra challenging by using in-camera multiple exposures. I wanted to capture the exact same bird, a White-throated Sparrow, in different poses to momentarily fool the viewer into thinking they are looking at three different birds. It took a lot of trials to get a clean composition in which my subject didn’t overlap as it flitted about on the ground.

22. Black-browed Albatross by Claudio Véliz

Contest: Chile and Colombia

Image Location: Valdivia, Los Ríos, Chile

Camera: Canon EOS R6 II with a Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM lens; 1/1600 second at f/7.1; ISO 800

Behind the Shot: Setting out on a pelagic outing off the coast of Chile, I hoped to capture a unique moment. After sailing a couple of miles, we came across a group of Black-browed Albatrosses feeding on jellyfish. As we approached, clouds began to obscure the sky, creating an eerie atmosphere. Taking advantage of the light, and inspired by the cover of Audioslave's album, Out of Exile, I tried to capture a scene that evoked a sense of mystery or terror. I have a lot of experience taking pictures from a boat, so the trickiest part was waiting for the right wave and finding an albatross facing us head-on, so I could capture its piercing gaze. After a couple of attempts, I got what I was looking for.

23. Ringed Kingfisher by Matías Antonio Cortés Calderón

Contest: Chile and Colombia

Image Location: Dalcahue, Lagos, Chile

Camera: Nikon Z9 with a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR lens; 1/3200 second at f/5.6; ISO 2000

Behind the Shot: It was a cold Wednesday morning in the city. The waterfront was unusually quiet compared to weekends when there are crowds of tourists. While waiting for my bus, I came across a male kingfisher calmly searching for fish. I have always been fascinated by their patience while looking for prey. I approached the bird slowly, and over approximately fifteen minutes, I managed to get very close. Despite having noticed my presence from the first moment, he continued to search for prey in the water. Through the lens, I could see the details of its sclera, the texture of its feathers, and the layers of keratin growing on top of each other. After taking some photos and videos, I moved a little further away and continued watching in silence. Missing my bus was nothing compared to the wonder of being able to observe him for so long.

24. Torrent Duck by Christian Navarrete

Contest: Chile and Colombia

Image Location: Maule River, Maule, Chile

Camera: Canon EOS 5D with a Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM

lens; 1 second at f/22; ISO 100

Behind the Shot: During an outing with friends, we made several stops to watch the river descending steeply between rocks. We were looking for the Torrent Duck, a very special bird adapted to live in this extreme environment. At one stop, we saw movement on a large rock in the middle of the current: It was a pair of the ducks. The female sat alone on the rock, looking over the water. When I saw her small body in comparison to the force of the environment, I had to photograph her. Since I didn't have my equipment, I borrowed a camera, along with a tripod and a lens. The silky effect of the water, achieved with a slow shutter speed, enhances the contrast between motion and stillness. It is a scene of perfect balance: nature, endurance, and beauty contained in an instant.

25. Gentoo Penguin by Erik A. Dahl

Contest: United States and Canada

Image Location: Cuverville Island, Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica

Camera: Canon R5 Mark II with a Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM lens; 1/1600 second at f/9; ISO 3200 

Behind the Shot: On a February cruise to Antarctica, we just loved photographing penguins. They’re fast and elegant in the water, slow and silly on land, and always a great subject. The calm waters around Cuverville Island had many rafts of Gentoo Penguins swimming, so we placed ourselves in a frequented spot and waited. I tightened my aperture to increase the depth of field and activated pre-capture, which saves half a second of images prior to pressing the shutter. This penguin jumped into my frame shortly afterwards. You can appreciate the penguin’s hydrodynamic body and slick feathers that allow it to “fly” through water. The photo also provides a great look at the hook-like papillae inside the penguin’s mouth, perfect for catching slippery food.
 

26. Common Raven by Sarah Killingsworth

Species: Contest: United States and Canada

Image Location: Drakes Beach, Point Reyes National Seashore, California, United States

Camera: Nikon Z9 and Nikon NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens; 1/2000 second at f/3.5; ISO 1400

Behind the Shot: At sunrise, I set out to photograph threatened Western Snowy Plovers, but it was this raven—bathed in golden light, framed by crashing waves—that captured my attention. The raven methodically searched the tide line, hopping on driftwood and inspecting washed-up debris. The ravens’ presence here, fueled by human waste and ranching operations in the National Seashore, poses a threat to the snowy plovers—especially ever since the corvids learned to recognize protective exclosures and prey on the breeding plover adults inside. But the beautiful raven isn’t the villain. It’s a symbol of how humans reshape natural dynamics and alter the balance between species. As I watched the raven move across the sand, I couldn’t help but respect its cleverness while lamenting the human-caused changes to this environment. It’s a reminder that conservation isn’t just about saving one species, but understanding the web that connects them all.

27. Great Frigatebird by Sunil Gopalan

Contest: United States and Canada

Image Location: Galapagos National Park, Ecuador

Camera: Canon EOS R3 with a Canon 600mm f/4L IS II lens and Canon EF 1.4X Extender; 1/500 second at f/8; ISO 2000 

Behind the Shot: While on a cruise, we had the opportunity to walk across an island with breeding frigatebird colonies. Several males showed off their brightly colored gular pouches. I chose this somewhat unconventional angle to highlight the contrast with the iridescent black feathers on the bird’s head without the distraction of the eyes and other facial features.

28. Wattled Jacana by León Felipe Jimenez

Contest: Chile and Colombia

Image Location: San Luis de Palenque, Casanare, Colombia

Camera: Sony Alpha 7 IV with a Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens; 1/3200 second at f/7.1; ISO 1600

Behind the Shot: When these two male jacanas unfolded their wings like shields in the middle of a territorial battle, I felt lucky. These birds usually roam the floating vegetation of Casanare's flooded savannas, and their confrontations are brief and unpredictable. I had to keep my eyes peeled and camera ready. As I snapped the shot, I glimpsed the secrets of these birds’ plumage, which are only visible in flight: the creamy greenish-yellow inner wing feathers and their bone spurs, small yellow structures on the edge of the wing that they use for self-defense and to protect their offspring. I want this image to remind us how rich and dynamic life is in every corner of Colombia.

29. Sandhill Crane by Arlene Moir-Swinton

Contest: United States and Canada

Image Location: Trinity, Florida, United States

Camera: Canon EOS R6 with a Canon RF 100-500mm F/4.5-7.1 L IS USM lens; 1/200 second at f/7.1; ISO 100

Behind the Shot: Florida’s Sandhill Cranes are year-round residents, and while protected, their population is at risk due to increased development. Trinity, located in Pasco County, was once farmland, cattle ranches, and countless tree lines, but the landscape is changing. A group of locals, including myself, keep track of the new crane families as the number of houses and communities grow. This pair shares a lake with a new neighborhood that borders Trinity College of Florida. The parents were teaching the young colts how to use their bills to forage for small insects along the water’s edge, under new trees that will provide future habitat. As volunteers identify new Sandhill Crane families, we put up signs encouraging drivers to slow down, helping to protect the slowest and most graceful Trinity residents.

30. Belted Kingfisher by Linda Scher

Contest: United States and Canada

Image Location: Big Cypress Bayou, Caddo Lake, Jefferson, Texas, United States

Camera: Nikon Z-9 with a Nikon NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S lens; 1/320 second at f/5.6; ISO 1000

Behind the Shot: I was at a landscape photography workshop to capture the fall colors of the bald cypress trees on the border of Texas and Louisiana. The wetlands around Jefferson, Texas, make up part of the largest cypress forest in the world. These unearthly trees, dripping with Spanish moss, rise from the ponds and sloughs to create an amazing ecosystem that is unfortunately threatened by pollution and the proliferation of exotic aquatic species. Our tour allowed us to kayak through these magnificent swamps. Of course, many fish-loving birds make this their home, and I couldn’t resist photographing them. While standing on a dock, I heard and then saw a Belted Kingfisher fishing the bayou. I caught this shot as the kingfisher intently watched the waters for movement.

31. Great Gray Owl by Scott Suriano

Contest: United States and Canada

Image Location: Meadowlands, Minnesota, United States

Camera: Canon EOS R5 Mark II with a Canon EF 500mm f/4 IS II USM lens; 1/2500 second at f/4; ISO 640

Behind the Shot: In January, I traveled to one of America’s premier winter birding destinations, Sax Zim Bog, to photograph the elusive Great Gray Owl. I avoided crowds who often, in their excitement, unintentionally disrupt and flush this sensitive species. I also sought something more therapeutic and personal that only the quiet sanctity and solitude of the winter forest can offer. I eventually found this majestic raptor perched on a weathered birch snag. Its piercing yellow eyes scanned the snowy forest floor below, looking for prey beneath the frozen crust. Backlit by the low winter sun, the owl’s profile shimmered against snow swirling through the air like suspended gold flecks. The owl’s intricate plumage blended seamlessly with the muted tones of its surroundings. It is intimate moments like these that feed the soul and every now and again reward a photographer with a decent photo.

32. Green Hermit by Juan Daniel Mejía Arango

Contest: Chile and Colombia

Image Location: Angelópolis, Antioquia, Colombia.

Camera: Canon EOS 6D with a Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary lens; 1/16000 second at f/6.3; ISO 6400

Behind the Shot: During the past eight years, I have been photographing hummingbirds on my family farm in Angelopolis, a mountainous municipality in the Colombian Andes. I’ve managed to follow, observe, and photograph the nesting process of several Green Hermits. This photo captures a very unusual episode. Instead of using natural fibers to build her nest, this female used the insides of a toy that a dog had recently torn up. With this material and some spider web, the hummingbird built her nest in a plantain leaf. She carefully warmed her eggs for about a week, until a severe storm knocked her nest to the ground, bringing the nesting process to a tragic end.

33. Harris's Hawk by Nicolás Valenzuela

Contest: Chile and Colombia

Image Location: Caleu, Tiltil, Santiago, Chile

Camera: Canon EOS 80D with a Rokinon 8mm f/3.5 HD Fisheye Lens; 1/800 second at f/8; ISO 2000

Behind the Shot: As I have many times, I headed out early in the morning to a forest relatively close to my home, near Cerro El Roble, where desert slopes and scrubby forests mingle near the mountains. I usually bring a long-distance lens to capture birds’ fine details, but this time I decided to take it easy and walk with a wide-angle lens. I decided to photograph without looking through the viewfinder. In a small clearing, I glimpsed the silhouette of a bird above me and quickly pointed up and shot a burst of photos. Only when I reviewed the pictures at home did I realize it was a Harris’s Hawk. The wide-angle lens captured the complexity of the forest, as several tree species such as quillay and poplars can be seen, and in the distance, quisco cactus and chaguals.

34. Great Egret by Sebastian Di Domenico

Contest: Chile and Colombia

Image Location: Trinidad, Casanare, Colombia

Camera: Sony Alpha 1 with Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens; 1/2000 second at f/10; ISO 500

Behind the Shot: As the sun sets in the Lagunazo, a huge estuary within the Buenaventura Nature Reserve, the sky turns rich red and passing birds appear as silhouettes beside the iconic moriche palms, a native species threatened by agricultural expansion. A few days earlier, a cloud had prevented me from taking the photo I envisioned, but on one of the last days of our trip, we returned. I raced to the spot, hoping to photograph the area’s Orinoco Geese—but this egret stood out so powerfully that I couldn't resist. I captured many photographs that night, but I think this image is the best representation of the beautiful, endangered ecosystem.

35. Magellanic Woodpecker by Juan Meza Cid

Contest: Chile and Colombia

Image Location: Villarrica National Park, Araucanía, Chile

Camera: Sony Alpha 6600 with a Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens; 1/2000 second at f/6.3; ISO 1250

Behind the Shot: Several years ago, I visited the Villarrica Volcano and managed to spot Magellanic Woodpeckers; to repeat that feat was my goal on the day I took this picture. I learned a little about their behavior from my previous experience, so I decided to wait in the forest until I detected the characteristic sound that the bird emits when looking for food in the upper part of the trees. My sighting was spectacular: I had excellent lighting, and the bird was very calm in my presence. Fortunately, I was equipped with a 600mm lens, which allowed me to observe the male without disturbing him. I was ready with my camera the moment he glanced my way.

36. Yellow-eared Parrot by León Felipe Jimenez

Contest: Chile and Colombia

Image Location: Anaime, Cajamarca, Tolima, Colombia

Camera: Sony Alpha 7 IV with a Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens and a UV protective filter; 1/3200 sec at f/6.3; ISO 6400

Behind the Shot: At dusk, Yellow-eared Parrots return to their homes in dead wax palms, Colombia’s national tree. I had positioned myself in a stand of palms, but I had no way of knowing which nest the parrots would return to. I focused on one cavity, crossed my fingers, and waited. I was lucky: One parrot flew into the nest. The birds are monogamous, and I knew that its mate would not be long. I chose my camera settings—a fast shutter speed to freeze the movement and a high ISO because the light was rapidly fading—and in just a few seconds, there it was: click. Can you imagine having such a deep relationship with a place where you grew up and where you raised your own family…only for that place to disappear? That is the story of the Yellow-eared Parrots, which nest almost exclusively in dead wax palms in landscapes at risk from deforestation, monoculture plantations, and cattle ranching. That's why the work of farmers who protect these palms is essential. Thanks to their care, species like this one continue to find refuge.

37. Anna’s Hummingbird by Michael Yee

Contest: United States and Canada

Image Location: Fremont, California, United States

Camera: Sony Alpha 7C with a Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens and UV filter; 1/8000 second at f/6.3; ISO 3200 

Behind the Shot: Many birds enjoy the water fountain at Ardenwood Historic Farm in the East Bay. On this day, I saw warblers, tanagers, and finches fly back and forth between the fountain and adjacent trees. But the hummingbirds were most entertaining. While most other birds bathed in the fountain or perched at the edge to sip, hummingbirds made a sport out of drinking airborne water droplets. They seemed to have the ability to manipulate time and the speed of the water as they hovered over the fountain and danced gracefully with the drops.

38. Tree Swallows by Jinchao Lyu

Contest: United States and Canada

Image Location: Sebastopol, California, United States

Camera: Sony Alpha 1 with a Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens; 1/125 second at f/4; ISO 800

Behind the Shot: There’s a family of long-tailed weasels that lives in Ragle Ranch Park. They’re usually active during summer, but when I went in June, I couldn’t find any. As I headed back to the parking lot, feeling a bit disappointed and thinking it was just another quiet day, I noticed something small on a fence. I took a closer look through my binoculars and saw five fluffy young Tree Swallows: four perched close together and one sitting slightly apart. While I photographed them, the lone swallow suddenly flew into the group, landing right in the middle. That’s when I captured this photo. Those five little cuties made my day. In wildlife photography, you never really know what surprise might be waiting at the end of the trail.

39. Greater Sage-Grouse by Savannah Rose

Contest: United States and Canada

Image Location: Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, United States

Camera: Nikon Z8 with a Nikon NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S lens; 1/1250 second at f/6.3; ISO 640

Behind the Shot: I visit this sage-grouse lek every year, rising before dawn to catch the birds at their most active. Last year, a beautiful crust of hard ice covered the lek well into March. The grouse looked especially elegant strutting atop the white twinkling snow, like it was a marble dance floor. I lay prone with my long lens as the birds made their way closer to the road, and the sunlight began to illuminate the mountains. This male appeared at close range from behind a rise and began to puff up his magnificent chest. Something about this individual struck me, evoking imagery of a high fantasy soldier decked out for the battlefield.

40. Broad-winged Hawk and Swainson's Hawk by Diego Cervera

Contest: Chile and Colombia

Image Location: Lerida, Tolima, Colombia

Camera: Nikon D5300 with a Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED VR Lens; 1/200 second at f/14; ISO 100 

Behind the Shot: I have been learning about and observing raptor migrations for a few years now, with the help of monitoring stations and many other photographers. When any of us sees something, we report it, and that has allowed us to predict—at least to some degree—the passage of these birds through certain parts of Colombia. This encounter took place on a farm called La Medialuna, and I integrated the roof of a farmer’s house into the composition. Propelled by wind currents, the birds seem to float effortlessly, synchronized in an aerial dance. They remind us that we are part of the same biological cycles, that there are no borders, and that, like birds, we can go further if we work together across generations.

41. Magnificent Frigatebird by Liron Gertsman

Contest: United States and Canada

Image Location: Santa Cruz Island, Galápagos, Ecuador

Camera: Canon EOS R5 with a Sigma 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art for Canon EF lens and

Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R, and Aquatech underwater housing with 8-inch dome port; 1/3200 second at f/16; ISO 1600 

Behind the Shot: When I think of frigatebirds, I think of two environments: the sky and the ocean. Frigatebirds eat seafood, but they don't usually catch it themselves. They lack waterproof oils in their feathers, so they can't get wet. Instead, frigatebirds steal their food from other seabirds, usually in dramatic mid-air battles. Wanting to photograph one from a unique perspective, I went for quite a few ocean swims in Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands, where my main focus was capturing the birds that were flying above from a different perspective. I got an image of this Magnificent Frigatebird from below while snorkeling off Santa Cruz Island, using an underwater housing with the dome port partially submerged underwater. I used a small aperture of f/16 to capture detail in the water as well as the bird and sky above and to get a little bit of a starburst effect on the sun rays.

42. Many-colored Rush Tyrant by Iván Quezada

Contest: Chile and Colombia

Image Location: Ritoque, Valparaíso, Chile

Camera: Canon EOS 70D with a Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary lens; 1/2500 second at f/7.1; ISO 2000

Behind the Shot: I brought my camp chair to the wetland to wait for the Many-colored Rush Tyrant, a wonderful bird whose plumage shows shades of yellow, black, white, red, orange, green, and blue. It’s tiny and elusive, and because of how fast it moves, I set my camera to burst mode with a high shutter speed and pointed my lens towards the reeds where it lives. Although I saw this bird many times, I didn’t get the shot immediately. I had to wait a couple of hours for it to get close enough. I hope this image creates a sense of empathy, as it shows the fragility of a bird so beautiful but so small and, therefore, so defenseless before humans.

43. Wilson’s Warbler by Nathan McCall

Contest: United States and Canada

Image Location: Coronado, California, United States

Camera: Nikon Z50 with a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR lens and a Nikon FTZ II Mount Adapter; 1/1000 second at f/5.6; ISO 3200 

Behind the Shot: This photo was taken at a small pocket park that serves as a popular stopover for migrating birds. I was sitting in the park when this Wilson's Warbler popped down onto the concrete pad and posed briefly on a maintenance hole cover. I remember being really excited just to get a decent shot since it happened so quickly. It bounced around for a bit on the concrete pad before flying off. There are so many things I love about the image: the bird’s feet straddling the cover gap, its tilted head, and its bright yellow coloring in contrast to the rusty metal. To me, the image highlights the importance of refuges within urban areas.

44. Purple Martin by Sebastian Di Domenico

Contest: Chile and Colombia

Image Location: Leticia, Amazonas, Colombia

Camera: Sony Alpha 7 IV with Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II lens; 1/500 second at f/8; ISO 649

Behind the Shot: After wrapping up a photo tour in the Amazon region, we were on our way back to the airport to catch our respective flights. Just as we arrived, a torrential rainstorm hit, and a large flock of swallows took refuge in the rafters just above the airport entrance, creating a pattern of squares and X-shapes. My photography equipment was packed, so I asked one of my clients to lend me his 24-70mm lens. Thanks to his generosity, I was able to get this photograph, which captures the exact moment a juvenile bird changes beams.

45. Green-bearded Helmetcrest by Sebastian Di Domenico

Contest: Chile and Colombia

Image Location: Parque Nacional Chingaza, Cundinamarca, Colombia

Camera: Canon 1DX Mark III with a Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary lens; 1/2500 second at f/6.3; ISO 1600 

Behind the Shot: Between May and August, the flowering plants of the highlands of Chingaza National Park are in bloom, making it the perfect place to look for the Green-bearded Helmetcrest, a hummingbird endemic to Colombia. Even during the season’s intense rains, as soon as the valley fills with the flowers of the native Espeletia grandiflora plant, these hummingbirds seize the opportunity to feed—and I seized the opportunity to photograph them. With a local guide, and staying close to the road in order to respect the park’s boundaries, we looked for flowers that had bees on them—a good trick for figuring out which flowers are full of nectar and likely to attract hummingbirds.

46. Wood Duck by Scott Suriano

Contest: United States and Canada

Image Location: Gwynns Falls, Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Camera: Canon EOS R3 with a Canon EF 500mm f/4 IS II USM lens; 1/800 second at f/4; ISO 640 

Behind the Shot: I arrived before dawn at a local pond where I knew Wood Ducks had returned to breed, donned my waders, and slipped into the cool waters. I set up to shoot against the rising sun and secured my camera to a homemade float-blind that concealed my equipment, provided stability, and allowed me to shoot at water level. I sat waist deep and remained still as the sun rose and the ducks became active. Then, a large group of Canada Geese landed, fought, and splashed each other with their wings, completely photo-bombing my scene. This annoying behavior, however, created shimmering cascades of bokeh droplets, evoking the illusion of a golden downpour. The duck’s iridescent plumage and red eye shone through the chaos.

47. Canyon Wren by Kira M. Henderson

Contest: United States and Canada

Image Location: Little Wild Horse Canyon, Green River, Utah, United States

Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV with a Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM lens and B+W UV-Haze #010 MRC MASTER Filter; 1/80 second at f/2.8; ISO 1000 

Behind the Shot: My first time exploring a slot canyon, I tried to hike light. I carried only my wide-angle lens, expecting to photograph the unique geology, not much wildlife. I navigated the narrow, winding passages in reverent solitude until an alert little Canyon Wren suddenly popped out from one of the deep crevices. I immediately started snapping photos, delighted to observe my canyon companion deftly scale the towering walls of orange-brown rock, probing for insects with its slender, curved bill. Without a single green plant in sight, this photograph is a powerful testament to birds’ resilience and adaptability. For a New Englander new to birding, it is also a reminder of the vibrant life in the desert—and why my long lens is now a permanent fixture in my hiking pack!

48. Ruby-throated Hummingbird by Adam Reinstein

Contest: United States and Canada

Image Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States

Camera: Olympus OM-D E-M1 with an Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm F/2.8 PRO shot lens and an Olympus Zuiko PRF-ZD72 72mm protection filter; 1/1250 second at f/2.8; ISO 200

Behind the Shot: Every September for the past five years, I have photographed Ruby-throated Hummingbirds as they feast on flowers in Longfellow Gardens. For two weeks, I start and end each day by capturing them feeding, flying, perching, and preening on their layover as they migrate southward. The beautiful blooms provide an ever-changing kaleidoscope of backdrops, and like mixing pigments on a palette, I use my camera and lens to blend the colors of the foliage on my canvases. To capture this image, I moved to frame the portrait as the hummingbird swiveled its head from side to side, watching a honeybee buzz around. As the bee landed and faced the hummingbird, I fired off just one shot. An instant later, the bee was gone. I love how at this angle the tiny hummingbird towers over the even tinier honeybee.

49. Military Macaw by Hernán Dario Arias Moreno

Contest: Chile and Colombia

Image Location: Santa Marta, Magdalena, Colombia

Camera: Sony Alpha 7 IV with a Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens; 1/1000 second at f/6.3; ISO 5000

Behind the Shot: While guiding a good friend and photography client, we spent several days looking for the endangered Military Macaws without much luck. So we were delighted to come upon a group of 30 or 40 Military Macaws socializing. It was a great joy to watch the beautiful and noisy birds interacting, in what we believe might have been a dispute over a nest site in the cavity of a wine palm trunk. More often I have seen this species flying overhead or perched in the distance, and it was incredible to observe them so near to us, seemingly unconcerned about our presence.

50. Thorn-tailed Rayadito by José Tomás Rodríguez

Contest: Chile and Colombia

Image Location: Bahía Dorita, Aysén, Chile

Camera: Sony Alpha 7C with a Tamron 100-400 f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary lens; 1/640 second at f/7.1; ISO 2500 

Behind the Shot: After a rain, while walking the trails of the Puyuhuapi Lodge in southern Chile, I came across a large number of the flowering native shrubs called nalca. Their flowers yield a red fruit on which the rayaditos, which are small and very active birds, feed. There were about five feasting, giving me the perfect opportunity to take the picture. But since they are restless birds, I had to wait patiently for the right moment.
 

51. Red-billed Oxpecker by Gregory Patterson

Contest: United States and Canada

Image Location: Maun, Ngamiland, Botswana

Camera: Nikon D850 with a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II lens and UV filter; 1/800 second at f/4; ISO 250

Behind the Shot: Water means life in northern Botswana, and the waterholes provide a rich and dynamic photographic environment. The late afternoon is a busy time as birds and mammals jockey for prime drinking spots. As the sun dropped, I was shooting from a covered observation structure near the waterhole, concentrating on the giraffes present in large numbers. During post-shoot review, I was delighted to find this image of a momentarily startled Red-billed Oxpecker hanging onto its perch: a seemingly “winking” giraffe. Oxpeckers normally move freely around and atop the giraffes in a mutually beneficial arrangement: The birds feed on ticks and other pests, while the giraffes provide a safe perch. What made this image special was the moment of shared surprise.

52. Kelp Gull by Álvaro Tapia González

Contest: Chile and Colombia

Image Location: Pichilemu, Libertador Bernardo O’Higgins, Chile

Camera: Canon EOS R6 Mark II with a Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary lens; at 1/16000 second at f/6.3; ISO 100

Behind the Shot: I spent months planning this shot, but when I got to the coast, the weather turned against me: sudden clouds, fog, and changing conditions thwarted several attempts. On this day, the sky was nearly completely covered with clouds. I had already decided not to go out, but my partner encouraged me, pointing out that the horizon was clear, so I should give it a try. With some hesitation, I headed out to the site. I knew the moment was approaching when the birds in the area would begin looking for shelter to rest after hours of fishing. The light, the birds’ movement, and the landscape finally aligned. Seeing this perfect arrangement of the sun and the lively bird activity at dusk was deeply moving. I hope this image inspires other photographers to persevere, because patience and planning ultimately pay off. Sometimes all we need is a little faith—and to gaze at the horizon.

53. Blue-footed Booby by Kevin Lohman

Contest: United States and Canada

Image Location: El Edén Islet, James Egas Port, Galápagos, Ecuador

Camera: Nikon Z9 with a Nikon NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens; 1/2500 second at f/4; ISO 1250 

Behind the Shot: I was on a dinghy gently bobbing in the water as I watched a Blue-footed Booby preening its feathers on the side of a cliff. The booby slowly ran its beak over its plumage, then suddenly it tilted its head to the side and crossed its eyes while focusing on a single feather. The expression was both unique and pretty funny.

54. Emperor Penguin by Nadia Haq

Contest: United States and Canada

Image Location: Snow Hill Island, Antarctica

Camera: Canon EOS R5 with a Canon RF 100-500mm f/4 L IS USM lens; 1/3200 second at f/6.3; ISO 125

Behind the Shot: I visited Snow Hill Island on a bucket list trip in November 2023 to photograph Emperor Penguins. After landing, I walked over a mile on sea ice to get to the colonies. Some areas were treacherously slippery, but I somehow managed to walk to where a massive iceberg had gotten stuck in the sea ice. The iceberg looked like an elephant sculpture, and I imagined the penguins using it as a spatial landmark. I waited to take pictures until a group of chicks walked by the iceberg, supervised by a couple of adults.

55. American Coot by Sarah Keates

Contest: United States and Canada

Image Location: Woburn, Massachusetts, United States

Camera: Canon EOS R5 Mark I with a Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM lens and Canon EF 1.4X III Extender; 1/1250 second at f/7.1; ISO 1600

Behind the Shot: It was January in New England and there was snow in the forecast. I packed my gear and headed to Horn Pond to see if I could capture some wildlife. As I drove, the snow became heavier. Concerned about my gear, I found a plastic sleeve to enclose my camera equipment. I walked a little way from the parking lot to the pond’s edge, where I spied a flock of American Coots huddled together on the ice. One suddenly took off and the others followed. I got down on the ground to get a better perspective, just managing to capture a few shots before they realized that their leader didn’t have much of a plan and all flew back to their starting position.

56. Eurasian Hoopoe by Rohail Akbar

Contest: United States and Canada

Image Location: Mushrif Park, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Camera: Nikon Z8 with a Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR lens; 1/400 second at f/6.3; ISO 2800

Behind the Shot:  I’m really proud of this image. The sun was beginning to dip below the horizon as I spotted this hoopoe dust bathing. Its striking crest was lifted high, and it remained engrossed in its own little world. Every movement stirred up more of the surrounding sand, which the sun radiated through, giving it a fiery glow. The warm light pierced through the layers of dust, casting an intense rim light that wrapped around the bird and highlighted its beautiful and intricate plumage. These are the kinds of experiences that keep bringing me back to nature.

57. Hooded Oriole by Parham Pourahmad

Contest: United States and Canada

Image Location: Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States

Camera: Nikon D3500 with a Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary lens; 1/1000 second at f/6.3; ISO 160

Behind the Shot: When I found a Hooded Oriole nest in a palm tree, I hoped to capture one of the adults on the leaves surrounding the nest. After some waiting, this male flew in with food. He immediately disappeared beneath the leaves to feed the babies. Soon after, he popped out, perching on the leaves and looking at me. I love how the pattern of the leaves complements his bright yellow feathers.

58. Common Merganser by Gail Bisson

Contest: United States and Canada

Image Location: Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada

Camera: Canon EOS 1D X Mark III with a Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM lens and Canon Extender EF 1.4x III; 1/2000 second at f/6.3; ISO 500

Behind the Shot: I spend many hours at this pond photographing waterfowl in winter. The pond is fed by the ocean, so it remains ice free. In March, the occasional seal will swim into the pond to feed on the abundant flatfish. I thought the seal looked sweet holding the fish in its flippers and started to photograph it. Suddenly, a Common Merganser appeared in the frame. I did not even see it approach. The interaction lasted less than a second, but I was able to get three frames, and this was the best. The seal didn’t flinch and did not give up the fish. This was the first time I had seen this behavior from the mergansers, and I was so happy to get the shot.

59. Chilean Swallow by Luis Arriagada

Contest: Chile and Colombia

Image Location: Petrohué, Los Lagos, Chile

Camera: Sony Alpha 7C II with a

Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary lens; 1/3200 second at f/6.3; ISO 800

Behind the Shot: I took this picture on a trip with my partner through the southern Chile region of Los Lagos. After a day of heavy rain, the weather finally granted us a break to get our cameras out. After several stops, we found the entrance to the Petrohué River viewpoint in Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park. As we walked along the trail surrounded by native trees, we came upon a huge group of swallows flying over the water in a coordinated and tireless fashion. They stayed long enough for me to take many photographs, including the one that I hoped for: this image of a swallow in mid-flight, its outstretched wings forming an elegant silhouette as it glided over the rippling water. It captures the relentless motion we witnessed that day.

60. Chestnut-eared Aracari by Felipe Abreo Cubillos

Contest: Chile and Colombia

Image Location: Lejanías, Meta, Colombia

Camera: Sony Alpha 7S III with a Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens; 1/1250 second at f/6.3; ISO 1250 

Behind the Shot: Near a coffee farm in rural Meta, Colombia, I noticed a papaya tree with ripe fruit that showed signs of having been eaten. The next morning, hearing the calls of toucans, I decided to set up my camera at the tree, hoping the birds would come. After a few minutes, the toucans landed to feed on the fruit. I was amazed by their large beaks, their ability to cling to the trunk without falling, and their agility in reaching the fruit. I was also dazzled by their beauty and intelligence: They seemed to talk to each other and take turns eating.

61. King Penguin by Joaquín Rivera Ibáñez

Contest: Chile and Colombia

Image Location: Pingüino Rey Natural Reserve, Tierra del Fuego, Chile

Camera: Canon EOS R8 with a Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary lens; 1/1250 second at f/6.3; ISO 400

Behind the Shot: In 2024, my greatest wish was to see King Penguins, a species that lives only in very limited areas. So I convinced some friends to travel with me to Patagonia, and in the final days of our trip to Punta Arenas we visited the King Penguin Natural Reserve. We were focused on a group of penguins in front of the viewing platform, when suddenly I heard a noise behind me and saw out of the corner of my eye the people next to me moving quickly. Then I noticed a pair of penguins right behind us, just off the trail. I lay down on the viewing platform, and through a crack I managed to frame and take some pictures in the limited space I had. Quite an achievement!

62. Many-colored Rush Tyrant by Rubén Huaiquiñir Reyes

Contest: Chile and Colombia

Image Location: Algarrobo, Valparaíso, Chile

Camera: Canon EOS 77D with a Tamron 100-400mm F/4.5-6.3 Di VC USD lens; 1/3200 second at f/6.3; ISO 800

Behind the Shot: At the Tunquén wetland, a small expanse of fresh water meets the vibrant sea. The area is a crucial sanctuary for migrating birds, and it’s where I first marveled at the Many-colored Rush Tyrant. I was with my partner, Angélica Díaz, and the moment is etched in my memory as a burst of life and colors. Photographing this bird was a major challenge. Its energy and curiosity made it an elusive flash among the reeds. This image is a testament to patience, the thrill of shared discovery, and ephemeral beauty. I hope it conveys the joy of that encounter, the vitality of this species, and the importance of protecting the unique ecosystems in our country.

63. Tundra Swans by Mitzi Gellman

Contest: United States and Canada

Image Location: Pantego, North Carolina, United States

Camera: Canon EOS R7 with a Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM lens; 1/800 second at f/7.1; ISO 1250

Behind the Shot: For more than a decade, I’ve traveled six hours from my western North Carolina home to the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge. I find peace spending days watching and photographing Tundra Swans. The swans flood the skies at sunrise and again at sunset. Unusually cold temperatures and an even rarer snowstorm framed this year’s trip. One afternoon, the winds picked up and the temperature dropped. My fingers, toes, nose…heck, all of me was frozen. I wanted to call it a day, but I noticed the light and the birds. When the swans took flight, their wing tips exploded into the dry, powdery snow and swept it into a cloud. A warm golden light illuminated the powdered snow, creating a glowing fog. Some photos are images you take. This is an image that I felt.

64. Common Raven by Emma Buck

Contest: United States and Canada

Image Location: Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, United States

Camera: Canon EOS R5 with a Canon RF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM lens; 1/250 second at f/11; ISO 640

Behind the Shot: This was one of the first images I took after arriving at the Grand Canyon. The ravens flew past and out into the canyon riding the thermals. This image was the third of four in a burst series of a raven flying up to land on the canyon wall. The warm light along the rocky ledge shone through the raven’s wings as the bird reached the jagged outcrop, which was dark because the sunlight hadn’t yet reached it.

65. Greater Prairie-Chicken by Brook Burling

Contest: United States and Canada

Image Location: Paul J. Olson State Wildlife Area, Rudolph, Wisconsin, United States

Camera: Canon EOS R5 with a Tamron 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 lens; 1/640 second at f/6.3; ISO 1250

Behind the Shot: Each spring, I look forward to hiking to Greater Prairie-Chicken booming grounds before dawn with 65 pounds of gear. In the pitch dark, guided only by headlamp, I carefully set up a blind near one of the leks—open areas where males perform spectacular mating displays. When males arrive at first light, they lower their heads, inflate their orange-red air sacs, raise their feather tufts, and stomp their feet in a wild, rhythmic dance. They fill the air with whooping, clucking, and cackling sounds, hoping to impress a watching female. It’s an unforgettable experience—nature’s theater at its finest. This incredible display is made possible thanks to dedicated efforts of the Portage County Conservation Department, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point, and ongoing land management practices. Through prescribed burns and strategic mowing to control invasive brush, these partners are helping restore and preserve critical habitat, ensuring a future for these remarkable birds.

66. Red-gartered Coot by Gaspar Ignacio Ramírez Bahamondes

Contest: Chile and Colombia

Image Location: Llico, Maule, Chile

Camera: Sony Alpha 7R IV with a Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens; 1/2000 second at f/6.3; ISO 1000 

Behind the Shot: While on vacation with friends, I got up each morning before everyone else to look at the shore of Lake Vichuquén. I was looking for a Coipo, a semi-aquatic rodent typical of this area of Chile, when suddenly I heard loud splashing behind me. Frightened and pumping with adrenaline, I turned around to find a few Red-gartered Coots, which, true to their reputation, were making a big fuss. I thought they were courting or mating. But later, when I looked at my photos more closely and saw blood, feet, and feathers, I realized that I had been a ringside witness to a fight. This was a reminder to me that even common species can present details or situations that command all of our attention.

67. Silvery Grebe by Hederd Torres García

Contest: Chile and Colombia

Image Location: San Pedro de Atacama, Antofagasta, Chile

Camera: SONY Alpha 7III with a Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens; 1/1000 second at f/9; ISO 1000 

Behind the Shot: At almost 15,000 feet above sea level, some photographer friends and I reached the Quepiaco lagoon in the Chilean highlands. A group of Silvery Grebes immediately captured our attention. Ignoring our presence, mesmerized by a female, the males exhibited their best courtship swims, circling while she perched indecisively on the nest. As she arranged the empty nest, as if telling them she was ready for eggs, every male showed off, trying to convince her that he was their best choice. Suddenly, with a signal imperceptible to us, all but one grebe turned away. She had made her decision. After a subtle gesture of invitation, the chosen one climbed into the nest to join her, and we were given this moment.

68. Peregrine Falcon by Sarah Killingsworth

Contest: United States and Canada

Image Location: Point Fermin Park, San Pedro, California, United States

Camera: Nikon Z9 with a Nikon NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S lens; 1/320 second at f/6.3; ISO 900 

Behind the Shot: A Peregrine Falcon fledgling perched on a piece of driftwood, its young eyes scanning the world with a mixture of curiosity and caution. Its feathers were soft and its talons still untested, but the poised bird was already learning the art of stillness. Beside it, a snail crept methodically and quietly along the weathered wood, marking a glistening trail. The contrast between the two was striking: a young predator learning its place in the world, and a humble creature continuing its steady course, both sharing a fleeting moment of coexistence.

69. Blackish Oystercatcher by Deborah Bryk

Contest: United States and Canada

Image Location: Sea Lion Island, Falkland Islands

Camera: Nikon Z8 with a Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR lens; 1/1600 second at f/9; ISO 3600 

Behind the Shot: The main objective of my bucket list trip to explore the Falkland Islands was to see penguins, but I made a long list of all the possible birds I might encounter. One day while exploring Sea Lion Island, we watched orcas come close to the shore to check out elephant seal pups. We were on a cliff very far from the shore when my trip leader pointed to this guy: a Blackish Oystercatcher on the rocks that appeared as a tiny speck in the distance. It was camouflaged except for its bright red-orange bill as it walked onto the kelp, which moved as waves crashed in. I loved the way this gorgeous bird blended into the surroundings and hoped to get an image that captured the bird in its environment.

70. Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle and Crested Caracara by Pablo González Vera

Contest: Chile and Colombia

Image Location: Puerto Natales, Magallanes, Chile

Camera: Sony Alpha 7R V with a Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS  lens; 1/800 second at f/5.6; ISO 160 

Behind the Shot: Just before boarding the plane home, I took one last walk in Patagonia. In the distance, I spotted a couple of Crested Caracaras circling. As I approached, I saw a Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle eating a rodent, which it gripped fiercely in its talons. The Crested Caracaras were challenging the eagle. It was at that precise moment that I captured this image, which shows an exchange of glances between the eagle and the caracara flying over it.

71. Common Ostrich by Gero Heine

Contest: United States and Canada

Image Location: Sossusvlei, Namib-Naukluft National Park, Namibia

Camera: Leica SL2 with a Leica APO-Vario-Elmarit-SL 90-280mm f/2.8-4 lens and a circular polarizing filter; 1/320 second at f/6.3; ISO 200

Behind the Shot: My travel partner and I were on a soft, sandy road when I spotted these three male ostriches following each other. The trio seemed like three bachelors looking for trouble. The tallest sand dunes on earth, juxtaposed with the three subjects were striking to me, perhaps because we tend to visually prefer odd numbers. I used a medium telephoto lens to compress the scene and a polarizing lens to manage the haze. This area is so rich in scenic wonders, yet I often hoped for an animal to complete the composition. It finally came together.

72. Plain-mantled Tit-Spinetail by Camila Abumohor

Contest: Chile and Colombia

Image Location: Paine, Santiago Metropolitan Region, Chile

Camera: Nikon Z8 with a Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR; 1/1600 second at f/7.1; ISO 10000

Behind the Shot: Hunters are common in the area where I took this photo, so every time I moved, the birds flew away. So, I decided to stop and stand still, and after about 20 minutes, the birds began to fly near me and behave normally. It was then that I saw a pair of Plain-mantled Tit-Spinetail working hard to build their beautiful nest. I had never seen these elusive birds make their home before. Capturing the moment was very difficult: the birds are swift, and the branches blocked my view, but patience and camouflage made it possible.

73. Great Gray Owl by Scott Suriano

Contest: United States and Canada

Image Location: Two Harbors, Minnesota, United States

Camera: Canon EOS Mark II with a Canon EF 500mm f/4 IS II USM lens; 1/3200 second at f/4; ISO 500

Behind the Shot: On a winter photography trip, I headed to the Lake Superior coastline. There, amidst the morning’s soft golden winter glow, the reclusive Great Gray Owl perched atop a tree in an open field in front of a historic lighthouse. Rarely seen this far south and in such open coastal habitats, this owl’s appearance in this quiet harbor town during the 2025 irruption attracted birders and photographers alike. The lighthouse, a symbol of safety and guidance since 1892, provided a dramatic backdrop. I positioned myself to get as much of the scene in my viewfinder as possible until the owl launched from its branch. The contrast between the detailed owl in motion and the soft, nostalgic background created a powerful visual story of wilderness meeting history.

74. Anna’s Hummingbird by Kevin Lohman

Contest: United States and Canada

Image Location: University of California, Santa Cruz Arboretum & Botanic Garden, California, United States

Camera: Nikon Z9 with a Nikon NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S; 1/125 second at f/4; ISO 160

Behind the Shot:  I had been searching for something unique to photograph when it began raining, and I noticed this hummingbird flitting around. Undeterred by the downpour, he surveyed his surroundings, looking like a tiny jewel against a vibrant yellow banner backdrop. I positioned my tripod so that the banner would be directly behind the bird when it returned to its perch on a delicate stem. Then I waited until the hummingbird landed—his iridescent gorget flashing brilliant hues of pink and red, with a perfect splash of brilliant color behind him.

75. Harpy Eagle by Mateo Giraldo Amaya

Contest: Chile and Colombia

Image Location: Vista Hermosa, Meta, Colombia

Camera: Sony RX10 Mark III; 1/400 second at f/4.5; ISO 250

Behind the Shot: When photographing large eagles, like the Harpy, you better have your camera’s burst mode ready: Flights from the nest to nearby branches are frequent but fast. We arrived at Vereda Alto Guapaya, in Vista Hermosa, thanks to Magia Harpía, an alliance that promotes Harpy Eagle conservation and research. The nest you see in the photo was reported by a member of the Alto Guapaya community and is the largest nest ever recorded by the Colombian Large Raptors Project, a conservation program I direct. It is on the mountainside, very close to a coca field from which farmers regularly see the eagles flying in with branches and prey. We waited at a lookout point until the birds arrived. Capturing the full wingspan of the largest eagle in the continent is well worth completely filling a memory card.
 

76. Great Gray Owl by Karen Bilgrai Cohen

Contest: United States and Canada

Image Location: Pendleton, Oregon, United States

Camera: Sony Alpha 1 with a Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens; 1/500 second at f/4; ISO 2000

Behind the Shot: I arrived in the meadow at dawn in hopes of seeing young owlets. Before I caught a glimpse of them, though, I saw the male Great Gray Owl, alert for any signs of prey in a meadow dotted with pines. Initially I spotted him on a small nub and got some shots from the side. I soon repositioned myself so that his form was fully framed by the textured bark of the tree. I marveled at his camouflage. The speckled pattern of his feathers blended seamlessly with the rough and rutted bark. There were bits of bright green lichen that perfectly echoed the striking color of his eyes.

77. Red-headed Woodpecker and Pileated Woodpecker by Ewa Golebiowska

Contest: United States and Canada

Image Location: Milford, Michigan, United States

Camera: Sony Alpha 1 with a Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens and a Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter; 1/2500 second at f/4; ISO 2500

Behind the Shot: Early winter was a good time to see Pileated Woodpeckers close to the nature trails in Kensington Metropark. On this outing, I spotted this young female foraging in an area of the park that Red-headed Woodpeckers consider their territory. This photo captures a standoff between the two birds, the Red-headed Woodpecker dominating the scene despite its smaller size by holding its foot on top of the Pileated Woodpecker’s foot. I felt awe for the bravery of the much smaller Red-headed Woodpecker, but I also felt bad for the Pileated Woodpecker only trying to find breakfast.

78. Rufous-collared Sparrow by Marcelo Cárcamo Vera

Contest: Chile and Colombia

Image Location: Santo Domingo, Valparaiso, Chile

Camera: Canon 5D Mark IV with a Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens and Canon EF 1.4X Extender; 1/3200 second at f/8; ISO 1250

Behind the Shot: This is one of the few images that exist of the Rufous-collared Sparrow in full flight, with its wings completely spread. I took this photograph during a visit to the Maipo River Wetland for a conference on photography and birds, where I had a photo in the Top 20 exhibition. Being far from my hometown, I wanted to seize the opportunity and spent most of the day walking around. Among all the pictures I took, I managed to capture this small and elusive sparrow, called “chincol,” just at the moment it took flight among some beautiful blue flowers.

79. Southern House Wren by Gustavo Garcés Villa

Contest: Chile and Colombia

Image Location: Torres del Paine National Park, Magallanes, Chile

Camera: Nikon D780 with a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II lens; 1/640 second at f/6.3; ISO 400 

Behind the Shot: On a hike in Torres del Paine National Park in Chilean Patagonia, I saw a fire-damaged forest. Bare branches were the only reminder of a landscape once full of life. Amid that silence marked by destruction, I noticed a small Southern House Wren perched on a scorched branch. I framed the image with the mountains in the background as motionless witnesses to the struggle for survival. That instant evoked a powerful contrast: the fragility of a tiny bird in a devastated environment, but also life’s ability to persist amid adversity. The photograph captures not only a bird, but also a silent message about the resilience of nature.

80. Española Mockingbird by Kevin Lohman

Contest: United States and Canada

Image Location: Española Island, Galápagos, Ecuador

Camera: Nikon Z9 with a Nikon NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S; 1/4000 second at f/4; ISO 4000 

Behind the Shot: While in the Galápagos, I was lying on a white sandy beach, observing Española Mockingbirds feed on moths, when I witnessed a small group of the birds pinning down and attacking another individual. This endemic species is highly territorial, and the aggressors plucked feathers from the unfortunate intruder. A few moments later, the victim managed to escape with only minor wounds and moved on to forage in another part of the beach. I was fortunate to be in the right place at the right time to witness this dramatic interaction.

81. Short-billed Miner by Cristóbal Pietroboni

Contest: Chile and Colombia

Image Location: Cochrane, Aysén, Chile

Camera: Sony Alpha 7 III with a Sony GM 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS lens; 1/400 second at f/13; ISO160 

Behind the Shot: This was my second trip to Patagonia. For 21 days, I walked more than 60 miles hoping to photograph huemuls, an endangered deer. After five frustrating days, I headed to the Tamango region of Patagonia National Park. By my second day there I still hadn’t photographed any mammals—but then it became a day for bird photography. Images of eagles, Chucao Tapaculos, Magellanic Tapaculos, Chilean Flickers, Thorn-tailed Rayaditos, Grey-hooded Sierra Finches, and Fire-eyed Diucons accumulated on my SD card. But, without a doubt, my favorite photo of the day is this Short-billed Miner posing calmly on a rock, looking towards the beautiful mountain range.

82. Boat-tailed Grackle by Bryan Putnam

Contest: United States and Canada

Image Location: Fort Fisher, North Carolina, United States

Camera: Canon EOS R3 with a Canon RF 100-500 F4.5-7.1 L IS USM lens; 1/12800 second at f/7.1; ISO 320

Behind the Shot: At historic Fort Fisher, there is an aged jetty known as "the rocks” that separates the Cape Fear River from the Atlantic Ocean. Countless species make use of it, but the real performers are the mischievous Boat-tailed Grackles. Though it seems a shame not to highlight the stunning iridescence of their plumage, the opportunity on this day was to silhouette their namesake tail feathers. I lay belly-down far out on the jetty, the high tide pouring over the rocks (and me) while these whimsical birds foraged, bathed, and squabbled. I set a high shutter speed to tame the bright sun and highlight the birds’ shape while effectively freezing the water droplets so the bokeh created would furnish this story with the magic it deserved. As a nature photographer, it is always a thrill to discover new places where light, water, and earth create an ever-changing palette of possibilities.

83. Golden-bellied Starfrontlet by Juan Pablo Rojas Gutiérrez

Contest: Chile and Colombia

Image Location: Tabio, Cundinamarca, Colombia

Camera: Nikon D850 with a Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 lens; 1/80 second at f/9; ISO 1000

Behind the Shot: Hidden in the heights of Tabio municipality, there is a small waterfall. During the dry season, when the high-mountain sun blazes, the powerful jet turns into thin threads of water and about eight hummingbird species gather to cool off. Each has its own way of taking a shower, but among them all, the Golden-bellied Starfrontlet stands out. After more than four years observing this bird, and equipped with the right gear, I decided to use a flash with a diffuser behind the bird, at minimum power, to highlight the droplets. In front, a reflector bounced light to softly illuminate the hummingbird. It was a scene that required a perfect balance: not too much water falling and not too little.

84. Potoo species by Luis Bernardo Cano

Contest: Chile and Colombia

Image Location: Cravo Sur, Casanare, Colombia

Camera: Sony Alpha 7R IV with a Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens; 1/100 second at f/8; ISO 1000

Behind the Shot: While hiking near the Cravo Sur River in Colombia’s flat lands, someone told us about a large bird nearby, and we knew we had to check it out. We found this potoo perched in a tree, and as I began to photograph it from a distance, I noticed a small beak peeking out from the bird’s feathers. It wasn't alone! Very carefully, and keeping my distance, I moved around to get a better look. After trying different spots, I saw this beautiful scene through the leaves and branches: the mother, motionless and with her head raised high, blends in with the colors and textures of the tree, with her small chick nestled into her. This image conveys the extraordinary camouflage of these birds.

85. Common Merganser and American White Pelican by Ephraim Heller

Contest: United States and Canada

Image Location: Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, United States

Camera: Nikon Z9 with a Nikon NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S lens; 1/2500 second at f/10; ISO 1600

Behind the Shot: Mergansers are fishing ducks. When one surfaces from a dive with a fish in its bill, there are often other birds waiting to steal the bounty. In the turbulent rapids of the Snake River, this merganser caught a Utah sucker fish so large it seemed impossible for the duck to swallow. The merganser tried its best while furiously flapping its wings and running along the surface of the water to elude thieves. Scenes like this play out every autumn on the Snake River. In my favorite wildlife photos, I seek to evoke an emotion in the viewer, and I hope that they can recognize something of themselves in the animals’ behavior. In this case, however, I am vividly reminded of the ruthlessness of natural selection.

86. Brown-hooded Gull by Eileen Dahlskog

Contest: Chile and Colombia

Image Location: Frutillar, Los Lagos, Chile

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T6 with a Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS lens; 1/3200 second at f/8; ISO 500

Behind the Shot: I took this photograph on a spring afternoon, during a vacation with my partner. We were exploring Frutillar and sat down to rest on the shores of the lake overlooking the Osorno Volcano. Many birds were flying back and forth. This specific seagull was constantly flitting in front of us, dipping down to touch the water, rising again, and then speeding off to the other end of the beach. It was a hilarious display, as if he wanted to show us his acrobatic skills. My camera is slow and a bit old, so focusing and framing fast animals is a tremendous challenge, but in the end, I managed to do it. He was in his breeding plumage—so maybe he did want to impress other gulls!

87. Anna's Hummingbird by Quinton Yingling

Contest: United States and Canada

Image Location: Vacation Island, San Diego California, United States

Camera: Sony A7 III with a Sigma f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary lens; 1/1250 second at f/8; ISO 6400

Behind the Shot: My girlfriend and I spent the winter in San Diego to escape the cold. Thus began my 3-month obsession with finding and photographing hummingbirds. Most mornings I woke up and looked for flowers or perches that the hummingbirds frequented. After finding a few reliable spots, I sat for hours waiting for them to return. Most of the time I looked for iridescent males. But I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to photograph this female flying in and out of the Pride of Madeira flowers. She would come in for a drink and then sometimes hover right in front of me as I sat for two hours. Because of the hummingbirds, I now find myself a lover of wildlife photography.

88. Black Vulture by Mati Bravo Lara

Contest: Chile and Colombia

Image Location: Valdivia, Los Ríos, Chile

Camera: Nikon D5200 with a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR DX VR 18-55mm f3.5-5.6G; 1/640 second at f/4; ISO 200 

Behind the Shot: The decomposing body of a sea lion, already surrounded by Black Vultures, reeked with an almost unbearable stench of putrefaction. I spent about three hours approaching slowly to avoid disturbing the birds. As I came closer, their calmness surprised me. The scene, though grim, reveals the essential ecological function of vultures: to cleanse the landscape and close the natural cycle of life and death. Although they’re often rejected, vultures are one of my favorite birds due to this vital role. With this image, I invite you to reflect on the uncomfortable beauty of nature and the importance of less charismatic beings. Each element—rocks, carrion, forest, birds, and light—has a role in this story that speaks of balance, death as a part of nature, and the dignity of scavengers in their silent work.

89. Anhinga by Peter Brannon

Contest: United States and Canada

Image Location: Lakeland, Florida, United States

Camera: Nikon Z8 with a Nikon NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S lens; 1/4000 second at f/7.1; ISO 160

Behind the Shot: For a long time, I'd hoped to capture an eye-level anhinga photo with a freshly caught fish. That wish finally came true. Lying on my belly, I used a bean bag to manage the weight and steadiness of the lens. I was casually observing a group of herons when an Anhinga suddenly and unexpectedly breached the surface right next to me, a glistening sunfish in its bill. I adjusted my camera to capture the scene. The bird seemed proud to display its prize. Then, with a swift movement, the Anhinga expertly maneuvered the sunfish and swallowed it whole before seamlessly slipping back beneath the water's surface, disappearing as quickly and silently as it had arrived. The entire encounter, though brief, left an indelible mark.

90. Falkland Steamer-Duck and Gentoo Penguin by Steffen Foerster

Contest: United States and Canada

Image Location: Saunders Island, Falkland Islands

Camera: Canon EOS R5 Mark II with a Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM lens; 1/2500 second at f/6.3; ISO 400 

Behind the Shot: As I photographed a family of ducks on the shoreline, watching as the ducklings ventured between beach and surf, I noticed a Gentoo Penguin emerge from the ocean. Knowing that steamer-ducks are fiercely territorial, I anticipated a confrontation and adjusted my position. Sure enough, the male duck launched into a charge the moment he spotted the penguin. I captured a series of images, but this one stands out; it freezes the moment just before the duck reached the penguin, beak open, wings up, as the penguin fled. Gentoo Penguins are agile in the water but less so on land, and while they are similar in size to steamer ducks, they’re less aggressive. I was fortunate to be in the right place, with the right gear, to catch the dramatic moment.

91. Chilean Flicker by Luis Manuel Arrigada Andrades

Contest: Chile and Colombia

Image Location: La Florida, Santiago Metropolitan Region, Chile

Camera: Sony Alpha 7C II with a Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary lens; 1/3200 second at f/6.3; ISO 1000

Behind the Shot: I took this photograph while walking in Panul Community Park, one of the few remaining green lungs in the Santiago metropolitan area. The park preserves a unique native forest with many plant species that are essential for local biodiversity. On my way home, I found this Chilean Flicker perched in a tree, watching a flock of thrushes. I took the woodpecker’s picture as it tracked the other birds, out of frame—my first time using a new lens. I am lucky to live very close to the park, and I walk there regularly to connect with nature and disconnect from the city’s noise.

92. Sandhill Cranes by Ewa Golebiowska

Contest: United States and Canada

Image Location: Milford, Michigan, United States

Camera: Sony Alpha 1 with a Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens and a Sony FE 2x Teleconverter; 1/1000 second at f/8; ISO 800

Behind the Shot: As I finished my hike on a very cold but bright morning in late March, I heard and then saw this pair of Sandhill Cranes at the other end of my trail. I was struck by the beauty of the scene and the contrast between the dark background and sparkly hoarfrost, with two gorgeous cranes standing backlit in the middle of the trail. The pair made unison calls to affirm their bond as their warm breath met the cold morning air.

93. Pied-billed Grebe by Trish Oster

Contest: United States and Canada

Image Location: Legacy Park, Malibu, California, United States

Camera: Canon EOS R6 with a Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM lens; 1/3200 second at f/7.1; ISO 8000

Behind the Shot: A juvenile grebe was foraging in our little local pond. As I was observing the bird, it dove down and came up with a very large non-native red swamp crayfish. At first, I thought it had bitten off more than it could chew. Since I hand-hold my camera, I set a higher shutter speed of 1/3200 sec to compensate for the movement and lowered my exposure to -0.3 EV to make the grebe and the crayfish stand out. After much effort, the grebe miraculously swallowed the crayfish whole. It not only got a well-deserved meal—it was also cleaning our waterways, one invasive crustacean at a time.

94. Bald Eagle by Magnus Wahlin

Contest: United States and Canada

Image Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, United States

Camera: Nikon D500 with a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR lens; 1/2500 second at f/5.6; ISO 400

Behind the Shot: I took this photo during a family vacation. It was my first time photographing Bald Eagles, and I’d gotten up before dawn hoping to catch one in the early light. When I spotted this eagle perched on the shore, I knew I wanted a shot of the sun rising right behind it. I set up my gear, framed the shot, and waited. It felt like forever, just sitting there hoping the eagle would stay put. Luckily, it did. But right as the sun finally broke the horizon, a second Bald Eagle flew by and startled a huge flock of shorebirds, sending them into the air. The scene exploded with movement, and I had just a few seconds to take the photo. Somehow, everything came together—the eagle, the birds, the light.

95. Magellanic Woodpecker by Matías Medina Arenas

Contest: Chile and Colombia

Image Location: Valle Las Trancas, Ñuble, Chile

Camera: Sony Alpha 6400 with a Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Sport DG OS HSM Contemporary lens; 1/160 second at f/7.1; ISO 1000 

Behind the Shot: During one of my many expeditions in search of the Andean huemul, a critically endangered deer, I set out early in the morning through a deciduous southern beech forest. In the distance, I heard a Magellanic Woodpecker. I approached stealthily, searching until I finally found it. To my surprise, it was an adult female accompanied by her juvenile offspring. I hid behind a log with my camera poised, then spent several minutes watching as the mother foraged for her fledgling. The baby bird, still inexperienced, insistently begged for food, completely trusting in its mother's care. This image shows us that even in nature, familial bonds are essential for the survival of a species.

96. Long-billed Curlew by Cairang Jia

Contest: United States and Canada

Image Location: Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan, Canada

Camera: Sony Alpha 7R V with a Sigma 60-600mm F/4.5-6.3 DG DN OS lens; 1/200 second at f/6.3; ISO 200

Behind the Shot: On my first visit to Grasslands National Park, a rainstorm swept across the vast prairie. As the skies cleared, a rainbow arched gracefully over the open plains. Sensing an opportunity, I quickly made my way to one of the park’s most active wildlife areas: the prairie dog town. While walking along the edge of the colony, a Long-billed Curlew flew into my frame. I adjusted my camera settings and dropped low to align the shot, hoping to make the most of the serendipitous moment. Just as I pressed the shutter, the curlew stretched its wings gracefully and flew to a mud mound. The curlew’s elegant form mirrored the gentle curve of the rainbow behind, creating a striking visual harmony.

97. Neotropic Cormorant by Eduardo Aguilera Castillo

Contest: Chile and Colombia

Image Location: Punta de choros, Coquimbo, Chile

Camera: Canon EOS 7D Mark II with a Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM lens; 1/100 second at f/9; ISO 100

Behind the Shot: On vacation in the Humboldt Penguin Reserve, I took a boat tour hoping to photograph whales, dolphins, and birds, but we had no luck spotting anything. Back at the cabin, feeling a bit down, I watched the sunset. I saw how the dense clouds let through rays of light from time to time. Then I had the idea of going to the beach, where, on a couple of rocks, I saw two Neotropic Cormorants drying their feathers and resting after a long day. I tried many times and finally, I captured the exact moment when the beams of light landed beautifully on the waves while the cormorants looked on. Sometimes, when everything seems to be against you, you just have to try one more time. Even the cloudiest days hold a ray of light.

98. Barred Owl by Protik Mohammad Hossain

Contest: United States and Canada

Image Location: Kirkland, Washington, United States

Camera: Nikon Z9 with a Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S lens; 1/30 second at f/1.2; ISO 2000

Behind the Shot: I had observed this Barred Owl before and knew it occasionally perched on a mossy root above a quiet creek in a forest. I timed my arrival this day for the soft light around sunset. I struggled to frame the scene in a way that did justice to the habitat’s beauty. I switched to an 85mm f/1.2 lens—one I felt might capture the sense of place. The light was fading fast, and the forest understory was already dim. Shooting handheld, I opened the aperture to f/1.2 and raised the ISO to 2000. That allowed me to shoot at 1/30 second—just enough to keep the owl sharp while preserving the dreamy quality of the scene. When the owl finally landed on the root above the still creek, it paused and looked down. That fleeting moment was exactly what I had hoped for.

99. Burrowing Parakeet by Benjamín Valenzuela Wallis

Contest: Chile and Colombia

Image Location: La Serena, Coquimbo, Chile

Camera: Nikon Zf with a Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR lens; 1/640 second at f/7.1; ISO 640

Behind the Shot: I had heard there is a place on the outskirts of La Serena where there are so many Burrowing Parakeets that you can hear a roar. With only vague directions and other people’s photos to guide us, I went with my partner in search of the mysterious spot. We were driving as we started to see parrots on roofs and road signs. When we opened the window, we heard the din of their songs. Countless birds were flying and perched on distant cliffs, so it was difficult to photograph them. We found a waterfall and, nearby, a spot where about eight birds perched on cacti. We got out of the vehicle and waited. Two birds flew closer and landed on a cactus, where they began to argue and groom each other. I snapped this photo before they flew away in a flash.

100. Greater Sage-Grouse by Alan Krakauer

Contest: United States and Canada

Image Location: Fremont County, Wyoming, United States

Camera: Canon 6D with a Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 lens and a UV filter; 1/1600 second at f/11; ISO 800

Behind the Shot: In early spring, clusters of male sage-grouse strut and display on grounds called leks to attract prospecting hens. Their dances can be noisy, rough-and-tumble affairs, with males fighting over small patches of ground. Yet it seems that not all males can handle this aggression and intensity. One morning, while huddled on my camp stool in a blind overlooking a lek, I heard something far from the mayhem. I cracked a window and spotted a lone male displaying on the unbroken snow of a desolate roadway. It looked like it was the only sage-grouse on Earth. This photo wasn't my closest or best lit, but I keep coming back to this scene when I think of the species’ toughness and tenacity. Spending a single icy morning in a blind can be a real challenge, yet the sage-grouse survive all winter long in the endless expanse of the sagebrush sea.