This year more than 2,000 photographers from across the United States and Canada submitted images to Audubon magazine's 12th annual Audubon Photography Awards, and our panel of expert judges whittled down the entries to eight stunning winners and five honorable mentions. With more than 9,000 photographs entered in the contest, there was an abundance of exceptional avian images from which we selected 100 additional shots to share.
Displayed in no particular order, these photos feature birdlife at its most vivid, vulnerable, formidable, and playful. There are intimate portraits that reveal exquisite details, action shots that capture powerful raptors on the hunt, and arresting images that celebrate a wide array of bird behavior. So settle in and prepare to be enchanted with the beauty and variety of birdlife and impressed by the resourcefulness of bird photographers.
And if you’re inspired to pick up a camera and pursue avian subjects of your own, our photography section has everything you need to get started, including tips and how-to's, Audubon'sethical guidelines for wildlife photography, and gear recommendations. Next year, it could be your shot that makes the cut.
1. Black-necked Stilts by Jack Zhi
Category: Amateur
Location: San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary, Irvine, CA
Camera: Sony a9 II with a Sony 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and 1.4x Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter; 1/2000 second at f/5.6; ISO 400
Behind the Shot: I had set my gear on the mud at the water’s edge to get a low angle and was looking down at my flip-out LCD screen when this little Black-necked Stilt emerged from behind the reeds with its mother. I took a few shots as the chick struggled to stand up, catching this perfect moment when mama caught the little one with her foot.
2. Baltimore Oriole by Sharon Dobben
Category: Amateur
Location: Flossmoor, IL
Camera: Canon EOS 80D with a Canon EF 300mm f/4L IS USM lens; 1/1250 second at f/5; ISO 400
Behind the Shot: Last May spring migration was an especially welcome distraction during the COVID-19 shutdown. On this day, I spotted a warbler in the yard, grabbed my camera, and hustled outside, but a Baltimore Oriole singing its heart out distracted me. I spotted it three backyards away perched on a high branch of a tall eastern white pine. I got two quick shots before he flew off, and only this one was in focus. I was grateful to have captured the oriole’s orange and black against the greens and blues of the trees, shadows, and sky. Hearing the oriole singing that evening was just what I needed.
3. Red-headed Woodpecker by Vance Solseth
Category: Amateur
Location: Lake Murray, Lexington, SC
Camera: Sony a7III with a Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens; 1/1000 second at f/6.3; ISO 1600
Behind the Shot: Out on the lake near my home, snags on several small islands house nesting birds in the spring and early summer. I kayaked out early one morning, hid my boat under a tree, and set up my blind so I could see a cavity where Red-headed Woodpeckers were making a nest. I stayed as far away and as quiet as possible so as not to disturb their behavior. I love this frame because the bird looks so inquisitive as it scans its surroundings.
4. Green Heron by Ilai Porat
Category: Youth
Location: Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, Fort Myers, FL
Camera: Nikon D7500 DSLR with a Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm f/5.6 ED VR lens; 1/320 second at f/5.6; ISO 400
Behind the Shot: As I walked through a Florida wetland, I noticed this Green Heron standing silently and completely still near the water. The bird was very close to the trail and had no fear of me, so I was able to zoom in on its feathers. It was the first time I had really seen the green feathers on its back and was finally able to understand how the bird got its name. These herons are also really small, so I felt extremely privileged to have been able to view one from so close.
5. American Woodcock by Alexander Eisengart
Category: Youth
Location: Cleveland, OH
Camera: Sony Alpha a6400 with a Sony E 70-350mm f/4.5-6.3 G OSS lens; 1/640 second at f/6.3; ISO 2000
Behind the Shot: The American Woodcock is my favorite bird, and I made it my mission to photograph one. I looked at eBird and found people reporting the species at a cemetery in the middle of the city. I entered the concrete jungle to find a small oasis: a graveyard that teemed with life during migration season. Only a few minutes after entering this green space, I found the woodcock despite its insane camouflage. I hid behind a tree and snapped photos as it put on a show, flapping its wings as if to show off its beauty.
6. Allen's Hummingbird by Eric J. Smith
Category: Professional
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Camera: Canon EOS 5DS R with a Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 IS II USM lens; 1/1250 second at f/8; ISO 200
Behind the Shot: As the COVID-19 pandemic raged last summer, so did wildfires in southern California. Stuck at home alone with an air conditioner on the fritz, I had breakfast on my deck every morning, where I saw a single Allen’s Hummingbird perched on the branch of my potted olive tree. The bird became a regular, and I started bringing my camera with the morning coffee. On this day I noticed something on the hummingbird’s beak. The bird flew away and returned a half a dozen times without shaking the object. When I reviewed the photos, I realized a fig wasp had hitched a ride. It was a moment of wonder and delight in a season of dark times.
7. Northern Mockingbird by Katrina Baker
Category: Amateur
Location: Eighty Four, PA
Camera: Sony Alpha a9 II with a Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens; 1/1000 second at f/6.3; ISO 1250
Behind the Shot: Sitting quietly in my backyard watching and occasionally photographing birds in a nearby tree, I noticed this Northern Mockingbird acting on its natural territorial instinct. Whenever another bird landed on a nearby branch, it would swoop, hop, or scold until the intruder departed. When the mockingbird seemed to notice me across the yard, it hopped onto the arch of this branch, stood tall, and turned its commanding gaze in my direction. It didn’t seem to mind me capturing photos, but that intense stare made it clear the tree was off-limits.
8. Brown Booby by Lawrence Worcester
Category: Amateur
Location: Pasture Bay, St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Camera: Sony Alpha a9 with a Sony 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS lens; 1/1250 second at f/5; ISO 100
Behind the Shot: Brown Boobies feasting on schooling fish barely had time to shake off water when surfacing before going back at it. This was the only time I witnessed one of the birds shudder its full body, and while flying directly at me. I was pretty sure I had gotten the split-second action that I worked so hard to capture. The word “booby” derives from the Spanish word bobo, meaning foolish and sometimes clumsy. This clearly refers to their walk and not their flight!
9. Harlequin Ducks by Matthew Reitinger
Category: Amateur
Location: Barnegat Light State Park, NJ
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV with a Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens and Canon Extender EF 1.4x III; 1/800 second at f/8.0; ISO 200
Behind the Shot: One cold January morning, I walked along the jetty looking for ducks when I spotted a few Harlequin Ducks swimming near the rocks. I struggled to find a suitable perch that wasn’t too slippery so I could get as low to the water as possible. Once I found one, I settled in and waited for the ducks to approach. When they did, one of them moved suddenly, causing them to splash, a moment I captured in this image.
10. Sandhill Crane by Xianwei Zeng
Category: Amateur
Location: Kawartha Lakes, Ontario, Canada
Camera: Canon EOS-1D X Mark II with a Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM lens and Canon Extender EF 2X III; 1/160 second at f/11; ISO 800
Behind the Shot: Tens of thousands of Sandhill Cranes stopover in southern Ontario in the fall before migrating to the southern United States and Mexico. They roost in local marshes, fly to harvested corn and grass fields in the early morning to feed, and then return to roost in the afternoon. One morning during a heavy downpour, several Sandhill Cranes fed in a field filled with wildflowers. Whenever possible, I try to get eye-level shots when photographing birds, so I got out of my car, set up my tripod to get a lower angle, and quickly snapped this beautiful portrait.
11. Great Egrets by Xianwei Zeng
Category: Amateur
Location: Xiangshan Forest Park, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China
Camera: Canon EOS-1D X Mark II with a Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM lens and a Canon Extender EF 1.4X III; 1/250 second at f/8; ISO 400
Behind the Shot: Hundreds of Great Egrets return to eastern China’s Xiangshan Forest Park in early spring to breed, building their nests high in fir trees. The rivers and lakes nearby provide abundant fish to feed the birds and their chicks. Two years ago, I spent three weeks there observing and photographing the Great Egrets. Females lay one to six eggs, and both mates take turns incubating them, and, once they hatch, feeding the newborns. In order to get low-angle shots, I stood on a farmer’s house. I usually saw only one parent feeding the chicks at a time, but on this rainy day both adults fed the babies simultaneously. I quickly snapped a few shots of the family in one frame.
12. White Ibis by Kelley Luikey
Category: Professional
Location: Audubon Swamp Garden, Charleston, SC
Camera: Canon EOS-1D X Mark II with a Canon 600mm f/4L IS III USM lens; 1/1000 at f/4; ISO 400
Behind the Shot: As a bird photographer in the South, I deal with biting, swarming, and stinging bugs year-round. On this early March afternoon, though, the bugs became part of the scene. I arrived at one of my favorite rookeries, set up my camera, and took a peek in the viewfinder to find thousands of bugs backlit and framed by the glowing red samaras of a maple tree. Within a few minutes, a White Ibis in bright breeding colors landed on a branch. I framed it with the tree in the foreground and the fairy-like bugs floating all around.
13. Trumpeter Swans by Lisa Sproat
Category: Amateur
Location: Skagit County, WA
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV with a Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM and a Canon Extender EF 1.4x III; 1/1600 second at f/5.6; ISO 1000
Behind the Shot: In the fall thousands of Trumpeter Swans fly south from their summer breeding grounds to make Skagit Valley's agricultural fields their winter home. The swans eat voraciously, picking through fields that stain their white feathers muddy brown. This group was feeding quietly when the pair on the left made a grab for their neighbors' patch. Mouths full, they beat their wings and honked in unison. The resident group stood its ground and displayed right back, looking like family arguing over a holiday dinner. With one vicious bite, the residents prevailed, and the field grew quiet again.
14. Lappet-faced Vulture by Staci Winston
Category: Amateur
Location: Kansas City Zoo, Kansas City, MO
Camera: Nikon D850 with a Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary lens; 1/8000 second at f/5.6; ISO 2000
Behind the Shot: My initial interest in this fascinating bird was its intense presence, large size, hooked sharp beak, and bright-pink-and-purple hues on its face. I spent an hour photographing this vulture, and my husband and I were mostly alone at its exhibit. Near the end of the shoot, the vulture jumped to the ground and spread its wings along its side. It peeked through a gap in the feathers and locked a single intense eye on my camera. I hope people viewing this image will be intrigued to learn more about this bird and its importance as a scavenger in nature.
15. Western Sandpiper by Rick Evans
Category: Amateur
Location: Santa Clara River Estuary, Ventura, CA
Camera: Nikon D500 with a Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR lens and Urth 95mm Circular Polarizer; 1/1600 second at f/5.6; ISO 1000
Behind the Shot: One cool January morning I went to the beach with the intention of photographing flocks of shorebirds flying along the coast, but a dense fog came up from the south. I shifted gears and moved over to a nearby estuary where I found Sanderlings, Lesser Yellowlegs, Snowy Plovers, Western Sandpipers, and a Killdeer feeding and preening. The fog filled up the whole area and really softened the sunlight. All the photos I took began to take on a silky, dreamy vibe. The birds looked like they were bathing in a cloud.
16. Red-winged Blackbird by Walter Potrebka
Category: Amateur
Location: Portage la Prairie Spillway Park, Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, Canada
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV with a Canon 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens and a Canon Extender EF 2X; 1/800 second at f/5.6; ISO 500
Behind the Shot: On a June day I went to photograph American White Pelicans, but none were to be found. Disappointed, I walked back to my vehicle and heard Red-winged Blackbirds calling from a marshy area. This female was landing on various cattails nearby. I waited for almost an hour for her to land on one that would give the image a nicely blurred background and show off her shoulder’s splash of red—colorization that is typically difficult to capture. While the males are usually flashier, the females often demonstrate a more subtle beauty.
17. White-breasted Nuthatch by Ashrith Kandula
Category: Youth
Location: Wallingford, PA
Camera: Canon EOS 7D Mark II with a Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens and Canon Extender EF 1.4x II Teleconverter; 1/250 second at f/8; ISO 800
Behind the Shot: On a walk around my neighborhood, I spotted a cavity in a red maple tree and noticed a pair of nuthatches using it. The female went inside, and the male made frequent trips to and from the tree, bringing her nest material. I managed to catch the moment when the male stood sideways in the entrance, his body fitting perfectly in the hole, the tree’s beautifully textured bark surrounding him.
18. Golden-fronted Woodpecker by Danny Hancock
Category: Amateur
Location: Palo Duro Canyon State Park, TX
Camera: Canon EOS-1D X Mark III with a Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM lens; 1/2000 second at f/5; ISO 400
Behind the Shot: In Palo Duro Canyon, water is a valuable and important resource—and a magnet for birds. When I heard a Golden-fronted Woodpecker make harsh, raspy calls, I prepared to rip off a few shots. He arrived a few minutes later and went straight to the water. I faced him head-on and was lucky to capture this photograph of him drinking with his bill just touching the surface, forming neat water rings.
19. Sharp-tailed Grouse by David Slikkers
Category: Amateur
Location: Pickford, MI
Camera: Canon EOS R5 with a Canon 600mm f/4L IS III USM lens; 1/6400 second at f/7.1; ISO 1600
Behind the Shot: When I had an opportunity to photograph a Sharp-tailed Grouse last year, I was amazed at their aggressive behavior and the action on the lek. Approximately 10 male grouse gathered, but it wasn’t until one female showed up that they began biting and pulling out each other’s feathers in a fight for dominance. The camera caught so many more details than I thought possible. It was incredible to watch it take place, and we had front-row seats in my blind. I was thrilled to have captured it on film.
20. Sanderlings by Nadia Haq
Category: Amateur
Location: Refuge Beach, Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Newbury, MA
Camera: Nikon D810 with a Nikon AF-S Nikkor f/4 500mm lens and Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III; 1/2000 second at f/5.6; ISO 280
Behind the Shot: On a gloomy and cold December day, my husband and I took our then-7-year-old son to Parker River National Wildlife Refuge so we could get a much-needed nature outing during the pandemic. We spotted a flock of Sanderlings scampering on the shore looking for food, and we quickly forgot about the weather. The cute little birds made us giddy, and we sat down side by side with our own separate cameras. I was overjoyed and proud to have my son capturing bird photos next to me.
21. Rhinoceros Auklets by Rhys Logan
Category: Professional
Location: Chuckanut Bay, WA
Camera: Canon 5D Mark III with a Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L USM lens; 1/8000 second at f/2.8; ISO 500
Behind the Shot: I had never seen a Rhinoceros Auklet in person before, perhaps because they’re nocturnal and typically nest in hard-to-access places. When I encountered these two while kayaking, I was surprised by their penguin-like appearance (deceptive because they’re related to puffins). After the raucous din of thousands of nearby gulls calling and diving around me subsided, these two auklets calmly checked me out, seemingly relaxed and enjoying the sunset as much as I was. I was amazed to learn that every year their “horns” grow in the spring before the birds shed them in late summer.
22. California Quail by Ti Yung Hwa
Category: Amateur
Location: Pinnacles National Park, Paicines, CA
Camera: Sony Alpha a7R III with a Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS lens and a Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter; 1/500 second at f/8; ISO 250
Behind the Shot: I didn't think anything could top seeing majestic California Condors fly overhead as I hiked in Pinnacles National Park, but then I saw this little guy posing for me in the middle of the trail. I immediately crouched down to get this angle of the bird in its element. California Quails, like others of its family, occasionally stand still in open area, but they’ll quickly run into the bushes if they sense a threat. I slowly adjusted and framed this bird between the chaparral shrubs on the sides of the trail.
23. Buff-breasted Sandpiper by Evan Reister
Category: Youth
Location: Whitefish Point, MI
Camera: Nikon D5600 with a Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary lens; 1/2500 second at f/7.1; ISO 500
Behind the Shot: While walking the beach of Whitefish Point Bird Observatory, I spotted a small group of shorebirds and I worked my way closer to them. I pulled up my binoculars to identify the birds and saw two Semipalmated Sandpipers and this beautiful Buff-breasted Sandpiper, both of which were lifers for me. I got ahead of the Buff-breasted and lay down, waiting until it walked within 10 feet of me, which allowed me to get some amazing photos. The intimate encounter and the beauty of this individual bird combined to land the Buff-breasted Sandpiper on my list of favorite birds.
24. Virginia Rail by Joshua Galicki
Category: Amateur
Location: Sullivan County, PA
Camera: Canon EOS-1D X Mark III with a Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM lens; 1/1250 second at f/4; ISO 6400
Behind the Shot: I took this image low to the ground for an intimate perspective, while also incorporating some out of focus foreground elements to supplement—but not distract—from the bird's gaze. The diffused light provided for some soft, pastel colors that afternoon, which really brought this image together.
25. Sandhill Crane by Megan Bonham
Category: Amateur
Location: Kensington Metropark, Milford, MI
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T6i with a Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM lens; 1/125 second at f/5.6; ISO 100
Behind the Shot: Kensington Metropark is home to several pairs of Sandhill Cranes. Given the park’s popularity, many of the cranes are accustomed to humans. I saw two cranes walking down a trail toward me, so I knelt down and waited for them to approach. I eventually got a traditional portrait. But that evening as I reviewed the day’s photos, I found myself mesmerized by the textures of this “screw-up” image and returned to it over and over again. Sometimes our accidents end up being beautiful.
26. Great Blue Heron by Chris Schlaf
Category: Amateur
Location: Romeo, MI
Camera: Nikon D850 with battery grip and Nikon AF-S Nikkor 600mm f/4E FL ED lens; 1/4000 at f/4; ISO 450
Behind the Shot: I am extremely fortunate in that I can shoot right in my backyard. I settle in my spot before the sun rises so the birds won’t detect me and I wait. This morning the soft light of the sun was at my back when I noticed this heron focused on a particular spot in the water. It could only mean breakfast was waiting. When the bird plunged for the fish, I was ready with my Nikon D850 set at nine frames per second. This turned out to be my favorite shot of the burst.
27. Atlantic Puffin by Sunil Gopalan
Category: Amateur
Location: Shetland, United Kingdom
Camera: Canon EOS-1D Mark IV with a Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM lens; 1/800 second at f/4; ISO 200
Behind the Shot: I photographed this Atlantic Puffin on a remote island in the Shetlands where seabirds outnumber humans. Scottish weather often brings rain, but we had clear skies in the evening just as the sun set behind the cliffs. I was able to lie down on the ground and point my lens directly at the sun, capturing a puffin returning with wildflowers to line its burrow. The flowers on the ground appear gold because of the angle of the sun, but really, they are the pink thrift that grows on cliff tops across much of Europe.
28. Wilson’s Snipe by Shirley Donald
Category: Amateur
Location: Simcoe County, Ontario, Canada
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV with a Canon EF 400mm f/4 DO IS II USM lens; 1/2000 second at f/4; ISO 320
Behind the Shot: Last June I explored a very small wetland close to my house. Rushes and reeds hid a few very small ponds, so I donned my waders and prayed that I wouldn’t fall. The clay bottom was as slippery as ice. Kneeling behind a clump of reeds and lowering my camera as much as possible, I photographed several bird species. I heard a Wilson’s Snipe winnowing but didn’t see one. Then my subject flew into sight and landed in the rushes a few yards away. It was half hidden by the green foliage, but I could see it was busy preening.
29. Hairy Woodpecker by David Leonard
Category: Amateur
Location: Mt. Lemmon, Pima County, AZ
Camera: Canon EOS 7D Mark II with a Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM lens; 1/1600 second at f/5.6; ISO 640
Behind the Shot: I was searching for Olive and Red-faced Warblers to photograph in the ponderosa pine woodlands when I found this female Hairy Woodpecker foraging upside down on a decayed ponderosa pine limb. Woodpeckers have held a special place in my heart since I was a kid. After graduate school, I studied Red-cockaded Woodpeckers in many peninsular Florida populations. Watching this Hairy Woodpecker brought back memories of my time in longleaf and slash pine forests. The goal of my photography is to convey the natural world’s beauty and inspire people to save the species that remain and the precious bits of habitat that support them. I hope this photograph achieves both.
30. Belted Kingfisher by Josiah Launstein
Category: Youth
Location: Beauvais Lake, Pincher Creek, Alberta, Canada
Camera: Nikon D500 with a Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR lens; 1/400 second at f/7.1; ISO 2500
Behind the Shot: I was photographing warblers at a lake near my home on a cold, rainy spring day, when a male Belted Kingfisher flew past. I watched him hunt along the shoreline until he perched nearby, both of us pretty soaked. He dropped his left wing to shed the rain. As he watched the water for movement, I moved my tripod to find the composition I liked of this beautiful wetland scene. I lowered my shutter speed to give a better sense of the drenching rain and capture the softness and mood of the moment.
31. Giant Hummingbird by Jessica Suarez
Category: Professional
Location: Urubamba, Cusco, Perú
Camera: Nikon D750 with a Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G; 1/2500 second at f/8; ISO 1600
Behind the Shot: When I lived in the Sacred Valley of Perú, I would watch a Giant Hummingbird feed on abutilon flowers outside my bedroom window. I always hoped it was the same individual returning each day. I usually didn’t have my camera ready in time, but once I was lucky enough to capture six frames of it in 15 seconds before it darted off again. It just happened to fly upside down in my final frame, displaying its acrobatic agility.
32. Mountain Bluebird by Eric Peterson
Category: Amateur
Location: Warm Springs Road, near Goshen, UT
Camera: Canon EOS 7D Mark II with a Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens; 1/2000 second at f/9; ISO 400
Behind the Shot: On a cold and foggy February morning, my friend and I headed to a small agricultural town in central Utah. As we drove down a road lined with Russian olive trees, we heard Mountain Bluebirds and stopped to find them. Just then, the fog started to lift, leaving a bright crystal-like hoarfrost on the tree limbs. It was then that we saw the small flock feasting on the Russian olive berries. We had no idea how the photos would turn out, but the moment itself was magical.
33. Roseate Spoonbill by Scott Suriano
Category: Amateur
Location: Fellsmere, FL
Camera: Canon EOS-1D X Mark II with a Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM lens and Canon EF 1.4x III Extender; 1/1000 second at f/5.6; ISO 2000
Behind the Shot: During a spring vacation, I snuck away from my sleeping family and headed to a Roseate Spoonbill nesting colony. When I arrived, I saw the spoonbills flying back and forth, tending to their nests. As the Florida sun broke over the horizon, I was in awe of the large pink cotton candy-like clouds floating across the blue sky. I hoped to capture one of these prehistoric-looking creatures flying against this magnificent backdrop and was rewarded when one flapped its way across the spring pastel sky. I caught the downstroke of its wings, displaying the bird’s vibrant bright pink. I could not think of a more brilliant species of bird to complement this incredible scene.
34. Steller’s Sea-Eagle by Isabel Guerra Clark
Category: Amateur
Location: Hokkaido, Japan
Camera: Nikon D5 DSLR with a Nikon AF-S Nikkor 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR lens; 1/2000 second at f/8.0; ISO 320
Behind the Shot: On a late winter morning we could see a lot of bird activity and mounds of snow, so we decided to take the boat out onto the sea. As we drew close to a large hunk of floating ice, this Steller’s Sea-Eagle landed and jumped up to get into a better position before it began fishing. What a treat for me to see this creature in its natural habitat, a beautiful specimen in great light, captured in a simple and effortless jump.
35. Great Egret by Tim Timmis
Category: Amateur
Location: Smith Oaks Rookery, High Island, TX
Camera: Canon EOS-1DX Mark III with a Canon 500mm f/4L IS II USM lens; 1/4000 second at f/10; ISO 800
Behind the Shot: I love going to High Island’s rookery early during mating season to get photos of Great Egrets in full breeding plumage. They can put on a fabulous show with mating dances, too. In the morning, the sun comes up behind the rookery, which allows for some great opportunities to photograph the backlit birds. During a trip in March 2021, I found this backlit Great Egret with his head in silhouette visible through its breeding plumage.
36. Wood Duck by Steve Hinch
Category: Professional
Location: Sacajawea Park, Livingston, MT
Camera: Canon EOS 7D Mark II with a Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM lens; 1/2500 second at f/5.6; ISO 640
Behind the Shot: The Wood Ducks at a local park are wild but fairly tolerant of people. They nest nearby in cottonwoods along the river, so I set up my camera by the water and waited for them to move into range. I was focused on the drakes farther out when I noticed one of the hens preening. I knew she might flap her wings, and I didn’t want to miss it. Since I didn’t have time to change lenses, I framed her as best I could.
37. Common Loon by Sue Dougherty
Category: Professional
Location: Cariboo Region, British Columbia, Canada
Camera: Canon EOS 7D Mark II with a Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM lens and Canon Extender EF 1.4x III; 1/640 second at f/6.3; ISO 1000
Behind the Shot: On a photography trip in the Cariboo region of British Columbia, my group came across a rather tolerant Common Loon family. We watched them from our boat, captivated by the male and female diving for leeches to feed their chick. Within a couple of days, they were bringing back fingerling trout. I noticed absolutely perfect strings of water beads in hydrodynamic lines that would light for a few moments on their feathers shortly after they surfaced from a dive. They were so close I was able to get almost frame-filling images.
38. Great Gray Owl by Scott Suriano
Category: Amateur
Location: Superior National Forest, Saint Louis County, MN
Camera: Canon EOS-1D X Mark II with a Canon EF 300mm f/2.8 IS II USM lens; 1/2000 at f/2.8; ISO 640
Behind the Shot: While braving the early morning sub-zero temperatures of Northern Minnesota in January, I was rewarded with this majestic Great Gray Owl rising from its roost on the frozen meadow, the light shimmering through its wingtips and tail feathers during its silent ascent. Once the owl perched, I continued to watch as it surveilled the landscape below. Even with numerous layers of warm clothing, I was only able to endure a short amount of time photographing in the extreme freezing conditions. I was amazed at how adept this incredible creature was at thriving in this harsh environment.
39. Red-headed Woodpecker by Leonard Kendall
Category: Amateur
Location: Cincinnati Nature Center, Milford, OH
Camera: Canon R6 and Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens and Viltrox EF-EOS R Lens Mount Adapter; 1/1000 second at f/5.6; ISO 320
Behind the Shot: I have only seen a handful of Red-headed Woodpeckers, so any sighting is photograph worthy to me. This one flew by my head and landed on a waist-high tree stump. I snapped a few photos as the morning light shone a spotlight on the red, white, and black bird in the middle of a dense, leafless deciduous forest. When I saw the full-size image, I felt like I was in the woods again. My photo was much more than an image of a bird; it was a whole winter walk in a forest.
40. Snow Geese and Ross's Geese by Linda Muth
Category: Amateur
Location: Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, San Antonio, NM
Camera: Nikon D500 with a AF-S DX Nikkor 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G ED VR lens; 1/1600 second at f/6.3; ISO 560
Behind the Shot: My father and I made our first midfall visit to Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge on Thanksgiving day in 2019. As we finished an afternoon drive around the refuge, we passed a large pond popular with cranes—but it was filled with geese. We stood at the edge, mesmerized by thousands of birds bathing in the warmth of the midafternoon sun. As the bath time came to an end, the geese slowly gathered closer together and then blasted off. I grabbed my camera [and] shot up at the birds as they circled low over our heads.
41. Wood Storks by Cheryl Black
Category: Amateur
Location: Wakodahatchee Wetlands, Delray Beach, FL
Camera: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX8 with a Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmar 100-400mm f/4-6.3 lens; 1/500 second at f/6.3; ISO 800
Behind the Shot: The boardwalk at Wakodahatchee Wetlands winds through mangrove islands covered with dozens of Wood Stork, Anhinga, cormorant, egret, and heron nests in the spring. Because nests are so crowded together and the mangroves so thick, it can be difficult to get a good picture. I patiently waited as all four of these ancient-looking birds moved around the nest, trying to get comfortable in what seemed like an impossibly small space. The birds looked handsome and dignified together, much like an old-fashioned portrait of a very serious family.
42. Black-browed Albatross by Nadia Haq
Category: Amateur
Location: West Point Island, Falkland Islands, United Kingdom
Camera: Nikon D810 with a Nikon AF-S Nikkor 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR lens; 1/500 second at f/4.8; ISO 360
Behind the Shot: After a turbulent sea crossing from Ushuaia, Argentina, to West Point Island, I was thrilled to land my feet firmly on the ground. We hiked up a hill to a Black-browed Albatross colony, and I was completely overwhelmed and exhilarated by the sheer number of birds engaged in different activities: sitting on nests, incubating eggs, flying, fighting with neighbors, courting, and preening. It was a challenge not to get distracted by the commotion. I was especially awestruck by the graceful and delicate way this albatross cleaned its feathers, bit by bit.
43. Rock Pigeon by Andrew Garn
Category: Professional
Location: New York, NY
Camera: Canon EOS 5DS with a Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM lens; 1/250 second at f/13; ISO 400
Behind the Shot: This fancy pigeon— perhaps an escapee from a local pigeon loft—flew into a woman’s apartment in Greenwich Village. Panicked, she tossed a towel over its body and brought it to the Wild Bird Fund, where they named him Belle du Jour after the main character in the Joseph Kessel novel. When I first saw him, I immediately wanted to emphasize the glamorous boa of feathers around his neck. I find that because of their intelligence and comfort around people, pigeons enjoy posing for the camera.
44. Ring-billed Gull by Aranya Karighattam
Category: Youth
Location: Winthrop, MA
Camera: Canon EOS 7D and a Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 EX DG HSM lens; 1/4000 second at f/6.3; ISO 800
Behind the Shot: I enjoy watching gulls playfully interact with each other and their surroundings. I captured this scene on an August day at Winthrop Beach, when a gull walked close to where I sat. I lay down on the beach and held the camera low to the ground, snapping the photograph just as it tugged a piece of sand-caked kelp from the shore. Identifying gulls, especially juveniles, can be very challenging, but Ring-billed Gulls’ prominent black ring around the bill make them easy to discern.
45. Red-winged Blackbirds and a Yellow-headed Blackbird by Marti Phillips
Category: Amateur
Location: Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, San Antonio, NM
Camera: Canon R5 with a Canon RF 100-500mm f4.5-7.1L IS USM; 1/5000 second at f/7.1; ISO 400
Behind the Shot: One morning I photographed a solitary Yellow-headed Blackbird. I thought it was unusual to see one alone and wondered if he was lost or separated from his flock. I continued on my way, photographing larger flocks of other species. When I reviewed the day’s images, I discovered a speck of yellow in a sea of Red-winged Blackbirds. It must have been the same solitary bird making the best of his lonely situation, flying in the midst of a huge contingent of his red-winged cousins.
46. Song Sparrow by Lauren Pretorius
Category: Amateur
Location: Frederick, SD
Camera: Nikon D800 with a Nikon AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II lens; 1/640 second at f/2.8; ISO 100
Behind the Shot: I was out on a drive in the countryside on a warm summer day when I stopped near thick vegetation. I noticed a pair of Song Sparrows flying down to the ground and back up into these uniquely low-lying, curved branches, perhaps tending to one of their chicks in the underbrush. As the birds flitted around the branches, I snapped a single shot and captured this sparrow.
47. Barred Owls by Bogdan Alexandrescu
Category: Amateur
Location: Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, Potomac, MD
Camera: Sony a7R IV with a Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens; 1/800 second at f/9; ISO 1600
Behind the Shot: These three Barred Owl juveniles were seemingly inseparable after they fledged, often perching in very close proximity. On this particular evening, the adults must have been running behind schedule with dinner because all three owlets came racing in from different directions, nearly landing atop one another on a dead tree. In the few seconds before they dispersed, I had just enough time to balance my lens on my monopod and fire off a couple of shots at an aperture that captured all three in sharp focus.
48. Bald Eagles by Jerry amEnde
Category: Amateur
Location: Conowingo Dam, Susquehanna River, Darlington, MD
Camera: Canon EOS-1D X Mark II with a Canon 600mm f/4L IS II USM lens and a Canon Extender EF 1.4x III; 1/2000 second at f/7.1; ISO 500
Behind the Shot: In late autumn migrating Bald Eagles stop by the Conowingo Dam on the Susquehanna River to feed on the numerous fish. Eagles are as much thieves as they are hunters—once one bird grabs a fish, several others often attempt to steal it. Here, one immature Bald Eagle tried to fend off an attacker from stealing his catch.
49. Sandhill Cranes by Megan Bonham
Category: Amateur
Location: Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, San Antonio, NM
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T6i with a Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM lens; 1/800 second at f/7.1; ISO 100
Behind the Shot: When Sandhill Cranes prepare to land, their outstretched wings and necks appear elegant as they glide through the air while their awkward, dangling legs add comedic value. As birds flew in for the evening in small groups, I chose a place along their route where the sunset colors were especially brilliant and waited for an interesting formation to fly through. These five cranes beautifully show off their wing tips and long legs. I quietly giggled as I pushed down the shutter button.
50. Adélie Penguins by Benjamin Salesse
Category: Professional
Location: Paulet Island, Antarctica
Camera: Nikon D750 with a Tamron 24-70mm F/2.8 Di VC USD G2 lens; 1/400 second at f/5.6; ISO 100
Behind the Shot: Paulet, a small island along the Antarctic Peninsula, is home to 100,000 Adélie Penguin pairs. In spring they come back to the hilly slopes and volcanic rocks to meet their mates and build pebble nests. While one protects the eggs from skuas, the other goes to search for krill. Each partner alternates duties every few days, but danger always looms. If one falls prey to a leopard seal, the other abandons the eggs to avoid starvation. This Adélie calling for its mate shows the vulnerability and uncertainty that accompanies the wait for a partner’s return, revealing the intimate bond and co-dependence necessary for survival. While observing penguins is an endless source of delight, from their comical walk to their belly ice gliding, I hope this image offers a glimpse into a harsher side of their reality.
51. Ring-necked Pheasants by Maria Khvan
Category: Amateur
Location: Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area, PA
Camera: Sony Alpha a7R III and Sony FE 24-240mm f/ 3.5-6.3 OSS lens; 1/2000 second at f/9; ISO 1000
Behind the Shot: On a beautiful morning over the grasslands of Pennsylvania, two pheasant roosters in splendid mating colors battled over breeding territory. They leapt and struck each other with their bills, claws, and spurs, and plucked each other’s feathers. They aimed for each other’s eyes and wattles, eventually disappearing as their contest moved them out of sight behind tall grass. Meanwhile, three hens foraged peacefully by the roadside waiting for their future mates.
52. Wild Turkey by Zachary Gleiter
Category: Youth
Location: Fort Indiantown Gap, Lebanon County, PA
Camera: Canon EOS-1DX with a Canon 800mm f/5.6L IS USM lens; 1/500 second at f/5.6; ISO 2500
Behind the Shot: Turkeys live on thousands of acres of woodlands and fields that surround the Fort Indiantown Gap National Guard Training Center, where you can see practically every species of animal native to the state. My dad and I saw this turkey and a few others foraging in a grassy area near the road. We pulled over and used our car as a blind to photograph them. The turkeys were above us on a small hill, which gave the photo a unique angle, and they came within 35 feet of our car, giving me some great photo opportunities.
53. Great Horned Owl by Carl Walsh
Category: Professional
Location: Safety Harbor, FL
Camera: Sony a7 III with a Sony 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens and Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter; 1/250 second at f/9.0; ISO 500
Behind the Shot: Having photographed this Great Horned Owl nest the year prior, I knew that squirrels periodically approached the adults. It happened again almost immediately when I returned the following year. The squirrels seemed to toy with the owl, playing a game of “raptor roulette,” considering the raptor feeds on the rodent. But the squirrels appeared to know their boundaries, keeping their distance and retreating quickly if they elicited a reaction. As a photojournalist, I'm always looking to create a visual narrative, and I welcomed the juxtaposition between the squirrel and owl captured in the frame.
54. Red-winged Blackbird by Michael Schulte
Category: Amateur
Location: Imperial Valley, CA
Camera: Canon EOS 7D Mark II with a Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD GClens; 1/640 second at f/9; ISO 200
Behind the Shot: During the first month of the pandemic, I ventured into California's expansive Imperial Valley in my campervan to social distance with the birds. I drove past rich fields of crops including this vibrant field of blooming aloe. Dozens of male Red-winged Blackbirds jockeyed for display positions in a dizzying bounce of red on black on yellow. This particular male was bolder than the others and fought to maintain his high perch. His ability to fight off competing males to secure insect-rich territory likely won him multiple mates.
55. Great Blue Herons by Rhys Logan
Category: Professional
Location: Bellingham Bay, Bellingham, WA
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark III with a Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM lens; 1/800 second at f/5.0; ISO 400
Behind the Shot: I had only recently begun searching for birds to photograph in the spring, when it seemed like practically everything had shut down, and I spied 10 Great Blue Herons in a bay near my house. Standing at a distance so as not to spook them, I photographed the peaceful scene that unfolded as the sun set beyond Lummi Island, and the birds patiently stalked and waded, and deftly struck gunnels, sculpins, crustaceans with their spear-like bills. As the tide came in, their cadet blue bodies swayed and bent against a pink-and-purple sky.
56. Violet-green Swallow by Steve Hinch
Category: Professional
Location: Hebgen Lake near West Yellowstone, MT
Camera: Canon EOS 7D Mark II with a Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM lens; 1/800 second at f/5.6; ISO 1600
Behind the Shot: Searching for birds during spring migration, I came across a massive mixed flock of Tree, Northern Rough-winged, Cliff, and Violet-green Swallows. I watched as groups flew out over the lake and sagebrush catching insects. Eventually, they’d land and rest. I set up near a dead tree on the shore and was fortunate to photograph this Violet-green Swallow before it resumed hunting for insects.
57. Magnolia Warbler by Mark Paul
Category: Amateur
Location: Starksboro, VT
Camera: Canon EOS 6D Mark II with a Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens and Canon Extender EF 1.4x III; 1/1000 second at f/8; ISO 1250
Behind the Shot: I was searching for migrating warblers at a nearby sugar maple farm. The owners had done a good job maintaining habitat, keeping the understory and midstory of deciduous and coniferous trees healthy. The open environment provided just the right lighting and enough places for me to hide. All I had to do was wait patiently. Eventually a Magnolia Warbler flew into a small conifer next to me and started foraging on a branch, creating separation between the bird and the background and allowing for some nice bokeh.
58. Great Blue Heron by Vicki Jauron
Category: Professional
Location: Exton, PA
Camera: Nikon D850 with an AF-S Nikkor 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR lens; 1/1250 second at f/2.8; ISO 125
Behind the Shot: During the height of the coronavirus pandemic, I started going to a local pond. Most of those mornings I spent in a Great Blue Heron’s company as he fished for breakfast, laying in the mud on the shore very close to him. Spending so many mornings together gave me an opportunity to capture him in many different lights and weather conditions, poses and compositions, including this dramatic backlighting as he lifted his bill up from the water, illuminating the splash.
59. Great Egrets and Roseate Spoonbills by Lorraine Minns
Category: Amateur
Location: High Island, TX
Camera: Canon EOS 5DS R with a Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II USM lens; 1/800 second at f/8; ISO 250
Behind the Shot: I was walking along the trail at Smith Oak Rookery on High Island, where Great Egrets and Roseate Spoonbills nest and raise their young in the spring and early summer. I saw an opening in the vegetation and had to stop and take a photo. It was as if I were viewing the beauty of nature through this amazing window. Of all the photographs I took on that trip, this was my favorite.
60. Wood Ducks by Kevin Sim
Category: Amateur
Location: Assiniboine Park, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Camera: Canon EOS 6D Mark II with a Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM lens; 1/800 second at f/8; ISO 6400
Behind the Shot: I ventured into Assiniboine Park early to capture birds in the morning light. As I sat by the edge of a pond, I saw a dozen Wood Duck ducklings on top of a concrete island. One by one, each bird bravely jumped in and started swimming around. They came directly toward me in perfect alignment. I managed only two shots before they got too close for my lens to focus, and I dearly hoped that the ducklings would be sharp. When I popped the memory card into the computer, I was overjoyed.
61. Yellow-crowned Night-Heron by Ashrith Kandula
Category: Youth
Location: Ocean City, NJ
Camera: Canon EOS 7D Mark II with a Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens and Canon Extender EF 1.4x II Teleconverter; 1/400 second at f/7.1; ISO 100
Behind the Shot: My family and I drove to a large heron rookery to see ibis and night-herons nesting. After an hour, heavy rain began to pour down. We considered going back home but decided to wait it out. We weren’t the only ones who got wet. When the rain passed, this Yellow-crowned Night-Heron spread its wings to dry off, appearing to meditate as the sun shone down.
62. Double-crested Cormorants by Blake Bryant
Category: Amateur
Location: Union Bay Natural Area, Seattle, WA
Camera: Sony Alpha a7R III with a Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens; 1/2000 second at f/6.3; ISO 250
Behind the Shot: Early mornings at this former landfill site often arrive with Seattle’s famous drizzle and overcast skies. After months of visits (and many frozen fingers), the perfect conditions finally aligned: a visible sunrise and morning fog, a water level that exposed these perches but not the underlying gravel bar, and of course the Double-crested Cormorants drying their waterlogged wings after diving for breakfast. I'm grateful to be reminded of the impact that restoration can have on native species in urban areas.
63. Carib Grackle by Lawrence Worcester
Category: Amateur
Location: Simplicity Bay, St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Camera: Sony Alpha a9 with a Sony 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS lens; 1/800 second at f/8; ISO 150
Behind the Shot: During the short cactus fruiting season, competition for the fruit can lead to territorial disputes and even injury. The fruit sits precariously close to the rows of spiny sharp needles, making it tricky for birds to get the foothold needed to eat the sweet flesh. That only increases the tension and fighting that surrounds a fruiting patch. This lucky Carib Grackle seemed to fully enjoy having this treat all to itself—at least for a little while.
64. Double-crested Cormorant by Ronan Nicholson
Category: Youth
Location: Liberty Park, Salt Lake City, UT
Camera: Canon EOS 7D Mark II with a Canon EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM; 1/400 second at f/5.6; ISO 640
Behind the Shot: On a summer road trip, my family stopped in Salt Lake City, where we birded at a local park. I discovered a pond with ducks, geese, gulls, swallows, and even a pair of Spotted Sandpipers. Then the rain started. When it finally let up, I went back to the pond and got down in the wet grass to photograph gulls at eye level. A cormorant that had taken advantage of the rain to hunt passed nearby. I pointed my lens as it exercised its wings to shake off the water.
65. Black Skimmers by Douglas DeFelice
Category: Professional
Location: St. Petersburg, FL
Camera: Nikon D5 with a Nikon AF-S Nikkor 600mm f/4E FL ED VR lens; 1/1000 second at f/4; ISO 100
Behind the Shot: Adult Black Skimmers frequently leave the colony to hunt for food along the shore of the St. Petersburg coast, so I positioned myself in a place where I could easily see them. Three aligned themselves one behind the other in front of my lens, creating the illusion of a single bird in motion. I took the shot just as two dipped their orange beaks into the water.
66. Reddish Egret by Tim Timmis
Category: Amateur
Location: Bolivar Flats Audubon Shorebird Sanctuary, Port Bolivar, TX
Camera: Canon EOS-1D X Mark III with a Canon 500mm f/4L IS II USM lens and Canon Extender EF 1.4x III; 1/1250 second at f/8; ISO 2500
Behind the Shot: While lying down on a sandbar taking shorebird photos, this white morph Reddish Egret flew in and landed close to me. He was very fun to watch as he chased a fish in front of me. Egrets will flap their wings and sometimes jump up into the air while fishing. I caught this photo as he came in for a landing with his wings outstretched, showing off his full beautiful wingspan.
67. Surf Scoters by Eric Schertler
Category: Amateur
Location: San Juan Islands, WA
Camera: Nikon D7100 with a Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR lens; 1/8000 second at f/5.6; ISO 1250
Behind the Shot: I was whale watching off the San Juan Islands and looking out for the only Horned Puffin known to live in the Salish Sea. These three Surf Scoters took off from the water and flew in a row past our boat. Since the boat rocked constantly, it took several tries to capture the birds in the center of the frame. Despite all this, I lucked out. These Surf Scoters were among several lifers for me during my time in Washington.
68. Ruby-throated Hummingbird by Lauren Pretorius
Category: Amateur
Location: Aberdeen, SD
Camera: Nikon D800 with a Nikon 600mm F/4G ED VR lens; 1/640 second at f/4; ISO 450
Behind the Shot: I captured this image last September after a soft rain the night before led to a misty morning. The sun cast an ethereal golden glow. I noticed dainty dew drops twinkling in the beautiful light, so I grabbed my camera gear in anticipation of a hummingbird visit to our feeders. I was hopeful that one would land in the dew-drop tree. My patience paid off as the tiny feathered jewel arrived and landed for the briefest of moments. I was only able to get a couple of shots before he flew off.
69. Red-bellied Woodpecker by Tom Warren
Category: Amateur
Location: Dobbs Ferry, NY
Camera: Nikon D500 with a Nikon AF Nikkor 180mm f/2.8D IF-ED lens; 1/500 second at f/2.8; ISO 220
Behind the Shot: I took this shot just a few feet from my backdoor. When I heard there was snow in the forecast, I set up a portable bird blind near our feeder well in advance of the storm so the birds would become accustomed to its presence. As hoped, our feeder was quite active during the snowfall, and I so enjoyed quietly photographing the great variety of birds that stopped by for some seed. This Red-bellied Woodpecker stole the show when it hung on to a nearby branch. It looked like it was trying to do a pull-up at the gym, and its position allowed for a great look at its often-hidden blush red underside.
70. Lesser Yellowlegs by Tim Timmis
Category: Amateur
Location: Bolivar Flats Audubon Shorebird Sanctuary, Port Bolivar, TX
Camera: Canon EOS-1D X Mark III with a Canon 500mm f/4L IS II USM lens and Canon Extender EF 1.4x III; 1/2000 second at f/7.1; ISO 4000
Behind the Shot: I found these two Lesser Yellowlegs running around together while I took shorebird photos at Bolivar Flats along the Texas Gulf Coast. It was challenging to keep up with them while maintaining a perspective close to the ground. I captured this photo as they ran in unison, looking almost like one bird with four distinctive legs propelling it forward.
71. Ring-billed Gulls by Siu Lau
Category: Amateur
Location: Spruce Run Recreation Area, Clinton, NJ
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark III with a Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM lens and Canon Extender EF 1.4x III; 1/6000 second at f/5.6; ISO 400
Behind the Shot: On a cold morning I saw hundreds of gulls resting on the water’s edge. One gull, looking for a spot to land, tried to squeeze in the middle of the flock even though there was no room. I lined up the gulls with some trees in the background, laid down on the beach with the sun behind my back, and took a few photographs.
72. Snowy Owl by Ryan Leimbach
Category: Amateur
Location: Jones Beach State Park, Wantagh, NY
Camera: Nikon D500 with a Nikon AF-S Nikkor 500mm f/4G ED VR lens; 1/2000 second at f/4.0; ISO 125
Behind the Shot: Having spent my college summers working at Jones Beach, I knew the park offered prime bird habitat and that people regularly spotted Snowy Owls there in the winter. On a cold December day, I made my way onto the beach and saw a crowd of people looking for owls. As the sun began to set, a Snowy Owl rose up out of the dunes and glided toward me. A flock of Snow Buntings caught the owl’s attention, and the raptor swooped mere inches over the sand, chasing the prey. I captured an amazing moment and was reminded that the best images come from respecting our subjects.
73. Sandhill Cranes and Snow Geese by Marti Phillips
Category: Amateur
Location: Bosque Del Apache, National Wildlife Refuge, San Antonio, NM
Camera: Canon EOS R5 with a Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM lens; 1/320 second at f/8; ISO 10000
Behind the Shot: I took this image shortly after arriving at Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge for the very first time. Just as the sun set, I was stunned to hear the explosive sound of thousands of Snow Geese taking off from the water in unison. The sunlight on their wings, with the backdrop of the purple-and-blue sky, seemed ethereal. I felt transported to a time when so much of this rich habitat had not yet been destroyed.
74. Pine Siskin by Christopher Baker
Category: Amateur
Location: Madison, AL
Camera: Nikon Z6 II with a Nikon AF-S Nikkor 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR lens and Nikon Mount FTZ Adapter; 1/500 second at f/5.6; ISO 800
Behind the Shot: Overnight temperatures dropped below freezing and turned the water in my birdbath into an ice block. I added warm water for the songbirds that come to the backyard feeder, and Pine Siskins immediately flocked in. The bath sits a dozen feet from the back door, so I slowly cracked it wide enough to get the lens through without disturbing the visitors. By the time I finally got set up, only one bird remained soaking. This shot was easily my favorite of the series—it epitomized the serenity of the scene.
75. Snow Buntings by Kazuto Shibata
Category: Amateur
Location: Oroville, WA
Camera: Nikon Z6 with a Nikon AF-S Nikkor 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR lens; 1/500 second at f/5.6; ISO 400
Behind the Shot: When I visited Okanogan Highlands to watch birds, I saw a large flock of Snow Buntings. A few hundred perched on a power line, a few hundred sat on the ground, and a few hundred perched on a tree. Snow started lightly falling, making for a mesmerizing scene. I stopped the engine and pressed the shutter from the window to capture the wonderful view.
76. Great Horned Owl by Mark Schocken
Category: Amateur
Location: Safety Harbor, FL
Camera: Sony Alpha a9 II with a Sony FE 200–600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens; 1/400 sec at f/6.3; ISO 1000
Behind the Shot: I arrived at a local park early one morning to look for the male Great Horned Owl I knew would be there. When I found him in his nest tree, a massive southern oak, he was asleep—presumably after a long night hunting prey for his new family. He slept for more than an hour, his eyes staying closed even as he began to preen. When they eventually snapped open, I hit the shutter button to capture this handsome bird, his feathers fluffed and framed by Spanish moss. He almost seemed to be smiling at me.
77. Black-crowned Night-Heron by Gary Robinette
Category: Amateur
Location: Baker Park, Frederick, MD
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV with a Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM lens and Canon Extender EF 1.4x III; 1/320 second at f/5.6; ISO 800
Behind the Shot: I went up to Baker Park to see a Black-crowned Night-Heron rookery. As I was leaving, I noticed this adult in the shadows, hunting near the creek that feeds the small lake where they roost—just the natural setting I was looking for. I was able to get a fairly low angle, and even though the mixed lighting was a challenge, I managed to get this shot with a fairly low shutter speed.
78. Rough-legged Hawk by Gordon Hatusupy
Category: Amateur
Location: Brunswick Point, Delta, British Columbia, Canada
Camera: Sony Alpha a9 II with a Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter; 1/2000 second at f/5.6; ISO 640
Behind the Shot: I was out photographing Northern Harriers and Short-eared Owls in Delta, British Columbia, an important migration stopover on the Pacific Flyway. The main trail is on a dyke, but there are some hunters’ trails in the marsh that you can walk if you’re mindful of the tide. The water was freezing and my feet were already numb, even with thick boots on. I could see the hawk hover in the air and dive without any luck. Suddenly, I heard a splash on the trail ahead of me. The tide was coming in and there was quite a bit of water already. I quickly lowered my camera to ground level and tilted up my screen. The hawk was still splashing when I saw it had caught a vole.
79. Western Gull by Gail Jackson
Category: Amateur
Location: Manchester State Beach, Manchester, CA
Camera: Canon EOS 80D with a Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM; 1/2500 second at f/8; ISO 400
Behind the Shot: At high tide on a winter day, the surf rippled over the sandbar. The current pulled out the driftwood and pushed the kelp into the creek. Most of the smaller shorebirds had flown down the beach to find shelter, but I was drawn to this first-winter gull that seemed to enjoy having the beach mostly to itself. I knelt down to the damp sand to get the right angle, hoping I would get the surf in the frame and not in my camera.
80. Anhinga by Eric Schertler
Category: Amateur
Location: Caw Caw Interpretive Center County Park, Ravenel, SC
Camera: Nikon D7100 with a Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR lens; 1/2500 second at f/6.3; ISO 800
Behind the Shot: Caw Caw Interpretive Center County Park hosts a plethora of birds that thrive in habitats from hardwood forest to cypress swamp. Habitat diversity and ample protection means it’s a biodiversity hotspot—a prime example of how small areas can provide conditions necessary for a range of species. This backlit Anhinga began flaring its gular sac and moving its head and neck in different directions while perched on a dead tree. The sun shone through its translucent skin as I snapped the photo.
81. Purple Gallinule by Corey Raffel
Category: Amateur
Location: Lake Tohopekaliga, Kissimmee, FL
Camera: Nikon D850 with a Nikon AF-S Nikkor 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR lens; 1/4000 second at f/5.6; ISO 640
Behind the Shot: On an airboat photography tour of Lake Tohopekaliga, we noticed many Purple Gallinules in the reeds along the water’s edge. The gallinules were constantly squabbling, and occasionally one took off across the open water to get away. They did not fly above the water but flapped their wings and used their famously large feet to support their weight as they “ran” across the water’s surface. By setting my camera to a fast shutter speed, I captured one such bird running and flying past our boat. Each step was marked by a splash, so we could see that the steps were more than two times the length of the bird.
82. American Avocets by Tim Timmis
Category: Amateur
Location: Bolivar Flats Audubon Shorebird Sanctuary, Port Bolivar, TX
Camera: Canon EOS-1D X Mark III with a Canon 500mm f/4L IS II USM lens and Canon Extender EF 1.4x III; 1/2000 second at f/11; ISO 2000
Behind the Shot: I found a flock of American Avocets feeding in the mudflats and laid down to keep from spooking them. They eventually turned in my direction as more avocets flew in and began a feeding frenzy. I realized when I felt water getting into my chest waders that the tide was coming in. With hundreds of avocets coming right at me, I decided to stay put and get wet even though the air temperature dropped to 53 degrees Fahrenheit with 15- to 20-mile-per-hour winds. The water even lapped the bottom of my camera (which cost me $1,200 to repair). I found myself completely encircled by the birds, some getting within 10 feet of me. I had to stop taking photos just to take in the scene around me.
Camera: Canon EOS R5 with a Canon EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM lens and a Canon Extender EF 1.4x III; 1/1600 second at f/8; ISO 2000
Behind the Shot: I observed this male Great Blue Heron working to attract a mate over several days. Looking toward the sky, he would stretch his neck and body upward as far as possible and hold that position for a minute or so. He repeated this classic mating pose many times. A week later he found his match, foraged for sticks from the wetlands, and presented them to her to weave into their nest.
84. Great Horned Owls by Kelley Luikey
Category: Professional
Location: Beaufort, SC
Camera: Canon EOS-1D X Mark II with a Canon 600mm f/4L IS III USM lens; 1/640 second at f/5; ISO 1250
Behind the Shot: This Great Horned Owl nest, lined with resurrection ferns that brown and shrivel when conditions are dry and become a verdant green when it rains, sat in the nook of a live oak tree. After a day of heavy spring rain, I went to photograph the owlets, hoping to get an image of them tucked into the lush ferns. They did anything and everything that didn’t involve looking at me. At last, they both turned around, snuggled close together, and looked at the camera. I took just three shots before they went back to wiggling.
Camera: Nikon D810 with an AF-S Nikkor 500mm f/4E FL ED VR lens; 1/1250 second at f/4; ISO 320
Behind the Shot: I was admiring the sunflowers in this giant garden when one started to move: A lone American Goldfinch bounced from flower to flower. The bird hopped onto the central flower and perched behind the petals, its yellow feathers blending in seamlessly with the blooms. These fields feed countless migrating birds. With a soft footprint, we can enjoy the beauty of places like this while preserving them for the birds that need them.
86. Snow Geese by Adit Nehra
Category: Youth
Location: Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge, Sussex, DE
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T6i with a Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM lens; 1/2500 second at f/5.6; ISO 400
Behind the Shot: At the end of a weeklong winter exploration of the Delmarva Peninsula, two friends and I encountered a blizzard: 9,000 Snow Geese swirling down into the cornfields at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. We pulled over and crept across the fields, sifting through the sea of geese for a vagrant Pink-footed Goose recently spotted in the area. Our search soon switched to a new target when my friend told us he’d lost his keys. The three of us began scouring that 75-acre field of corn stubble. An hour into the hunt, groups of geese, beautifully illuminated by the late afternoon light, began to lift off. Momentarily distracted from our car-key crisis, I took a few shots, then quickly returned to the mission. Two hours later we found the keys, by walking every inch of the field while holding hands and looking down.
87. Northern Mockingbird by Ashrith Kandula
Category: Youth
Location: Wallingford, PA
Camera: Canon EOS 7D Mark II with a Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens and Canon Extender EF 1.4x II Teleconverter; 1/800 second at f/8; ISO 400
Behind the Shot: I was watching a Northern Mockingbird eat red berries off a bush when I noticed something peculiar: Sometimes it spit the berries out. I used a high frame rate and took as many images as I could. When I looked at my photographs, I was surprised to find that I’d captured two airborne berries. I later found out that some birds often regurgitate large, indigestible berries to free up space in their digestive system.
88. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher by Alex Becker
Category: Amateur
Location: Charles Rogers Refuge, Princeton, NJ
Camera: Nikon D500 with an AF-S Nikkor 500mm f/4E FL ED VR lens and Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III; 1/2000 second at f/5.6; ISO 1800
Behind the Shot: During the COVID-19 lockdown I would walk to a local preserve that always offered great birding opportunities but little in the way of photos. Gnatcatchers, being their tiny, flitty selves, were the epitome of this preserve: ever-present in the spring but rarely in photographic range. On one visit, I noticed two coming back-and-forth to the same tree and a small pile of moss wrapped up in spider webs. A nest! I was thrilled to capture this image of the bird delicately crafting its creation.
89. Southern Giant Petrel by Marissa Goerke
Category: Amateur
Location: Humble Island, Antarctica
Camera: Canon EOS 6D with a Tamron 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di VC PZD lens; 1/1000 sec at f/14; ISO 400
Behind the Shot: Over four Antarctic summers I assisted a seabird research team studying Southern Giant-Petrels. On this particular day, the low clouds threatened rain, snow, or both— not great photo conditions, as is often the case on the Western Antarctic Peninsula. But I always bring my camera just in case. The warm light of a late summer sunset peeked through the clouds just as a petrel climbed out of a ravine and into the sparse rays. All the unreliable elements of the region came together for the perfect shot, framing the master of this harsh climate.
90. Downy Woodpecker by Adrienne Elliot
Category: Amateur
Location: Novi, MI
Camera: Sony Alpha a7R II with a Sony FE 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G OSS lens; 1/320 second at f/7.1; ISO 400
Behind the Shot: For decades I have enjoyed watching a wide variety of birds in my yard. I have always found it challenging, though, to photograph them. This changed during the pandemic lockdown when I attached camouflage fabric to my sliding glass door and cut a hole for my lens. I moved some of my feeders and added perches for the birds to land on. This shot shows a woodpecker as it scoots along one of those branches. I was very excited to get the shot since Downy Woodpeckers move so quickly.
91. California Quail by Carol Dula
Category: Amateur
Location: UC Santa Cruz Arboretum & Botanic Garden, Santa Cruz, CA
Camera: Canon EOS 60D Camera with a Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens; 1/1600 at f/5.6; ISO 250
Behind the Shot: I spotted this California Quail out of the corner of my eye and approached quietly, trying not to scare it off. Quails are notorious for scurrying away quickly, making them a challenge to photograph. A moment later he was on the move, his little feet furiously scooting across the ground. I waited until he ran beneath an evergreen bush for cover. A few minutes later, I saw his head pop out from the top of the bush. Seizing my chance, I focused on his striking face coloring, distinctive head plume, and dappled neck feathers and captured this image.
92. Kori Bustard by Aaron Baggenstos
Category: Professional
Location: Samburu, Kenya
Camera: Nikon Z7 with a Nikon AF-S Nikkor 600mm f/4E FL ED VR lens; 1/800 second at f/7.1; ISO 1000
Behind the Shot: Kori Bustards have impressive and elaborate courtship displays, as I saw while leading a photographic safari to Kenya in October. The male holds his head back with cheeks bulging, his crest held erect and bill open. He inflates his gular pouch, forming a white throat "balloon." He enhances his performance with an exaggerated bouncing and emits a low-pitched booming noise when his neck is at maximum inflation, snapping his bill open and shut. Seeing this display was an extraordinary experience, one that I will remember for a lifetime.
93. American Coot by Ronan Nicholson
Category: Youth
Location: Lake Julian Park, Asheville, NC
Camera: Canon EOS 7D Mark II with a Canon EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM; 1/1600 second at f/5.6; ISO 800
Behind the Shot: At first, these birds were all “just coots,” but as I spent more time with them over the winter, I observed their varied behaviors. One day I photographed the coots turning upside down in the water to grab plants at the bottom of the lake, splashing their feet and sending water droplets flying. I watched one of my subjects dive in, swim to the bank, jump out, and walk toward me. Just as the coot headed back toward the lake, I took this shot, delighted to have gotten his head in focus.
94. Mallards by Marti Phillips
Category: Amateur
Location: Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, San Antonio, NM
Camera: Canon EOS R5 with a Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM; 1/5000 second at f/7.1; ISO 400
Behind the Shot: I expected to see large numbers of Snow Geese and Sandhill Cranes at Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. However, I never expected to see quite so many Mallards—especially ones so tightly packed, constantly taking off and landing in plowed-over corn in one large coordinated flock. I have been around Mallards all my life, but I have never seen them in such a stunning display of unity.
95. Barn Owl by Kai Kaplinksky
Category: Youth
Location: Palo Alto, CA
Camera: Sony A7 and Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 lens; 1/200 second at f/6; ISO 2800
Behind the Shot: During the pandemic, I went out to photograph different owl species almost every day. I spent hours researching and looking for a Barn Owl, one of my favorite owls because of their unique coloration and mysterious personalities. My work finally paid off when I saw one perched on a palm tree branch. Over several hours, I observed the owl stretch and change position, eventually getting this image as it preened. This experience encouraged me to do even more owl photography.
96. Sandhill Crane by William Farnsworth
Category: Amateur
Location: Kensington Metropark, Milford, MI
Camera: Nikon D7500 with a Nikon AF-S Nikkor 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR lens and a UV Filter; 1/8000 second at f/10; ISO 100
Behind the Shot: This crane started its mornings by preening along the shores of a lake, basking in the radiant glow of the rising sun. Using a narrow aperture created a sharp, crisp silhouette of the bird. But without a neutral density filter or protective eyewear on hand, it was not safe for me to view the sun directly through the camera’s optical viewfinder. My solution was the “live view” function, which allowed me to see the bird and the sun through the LCD screen on the back of my camera.
97. House Finches by Stevan Hubbard
Category: Amateur
Location: Hammonasset Beach State Park, Madison, CT
Camera: Nikon Z6 with a Nikon AF-S Nikkor 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR; 1/400 second at f/5.6; ISO 1000
Behind the Shot: In July 2019 I visited Hammonasset Beach State Park, a frequent birding destination of mine. With less than an hour left before sunset, I headed out on a trail and noticed a group of juvenile House Finches perched on the wooden railings of a bridge. Because daylight was fading, I used a relatively low shutter speed and a wide-open aperture to take a series of photographs of individuals as well as groups of finches, like this one.
98. Belted Kingfisher by Harry Collins
Category: Professional
Location: Vero Beach, FL
Camera: Nikon Z7 II with a Nikon AF-S Nikkor 600mm f/4E FL ED VR lens; 1/3200 second at f/7.1; ISO 640
Behind the Shot: Kingfishers are often skittish birds. To get this photo, I set up inside of a blind for a couple days on a small pond in a Florida park. This Belted Kingfisher came and went from a perch where it liked to fish. But on this morning, a Little Blue Heron hung around the perch, forcing the bird to fish elsewhere. Once the heron left, the kingfisher came back having already speared its prey.
99. Resplendent Quetzal by Aaron Baggenstos
Category: Professional
Location: Savegre, Costa Rica
Camera: Nikon D850 with a Nikon AF-S Nikkor 600mm f/4E FL ED VR lens; 1/2000 second at f/5.6; ISO 5600
Behind the Shot: I’ve been photographing quetzals for many years in conjunction with a conservation program that I support in Costa Rica—it pays local farmers to plant and protect native trees essential for the bird’s survival. On this particular outing, I stood for hours waiting patiently for the male to come back to his nest hole. Suddenly the bird came in without warning, but my focus paid off when I clicked the shutter for this perfectly timed shot. This decisive moment was captured just a fraction of a second before the bird landed.
100. Greater Sage-Grouse by Grey Barbier
Category: Youth
Location: Coalmont, CO
Camera: Nikon D7500 with a Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 lens; 1/2000 second at f/6.3; ISO 500
Behind the Shot: It was early in the spring, but I had been waiting all year for the sage-grouse lek. I woke up at 3 a.m., got my camera gear ready, and drove for an hour to arrive before first light. Darkness faded, and I began to see silhouettes and heard low popping sounds. As more light came over the mountains, I saw four birds displaying and fighting in the field. I was overjoyed. No females came to watch, but that didn’t stop the males from putting on an amazing show.
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