![]() I knew this moment was special: It was the first Atlantic Puffin I’d seen, let alone been able to photograph.īird Lore: Puffins are popular birds, even though most people have never seen one. It was raining and the sky was dark, creating a moody tone. There we saw a lone bird perched on the most amazing lava rock cliff, which was covered in colorful lichen and blooming wildflowers. We pulled over at a beautiful spot to stretch our legs. Story Behind the Shot: My wife and I were on a road trip in Iceland, and we took a ferry to the Westman Islands where we’d heard there was a puffin colony. Professional Award Winner: Shane KalynĬamera: Nikon D500 with a Nikon 500mm lens f/4 1/6400 second at f/ I hope photos like this will lead to more appreciation for pigeons and other common birds we see daily. This photo captures not only that beauty but also a behavior that many humans can identify with: The pair are allopreening, an affectionate courtship behavior. In the right light, their iridescent neck feathers appear to glow. Judge’s Take (Preeti Desai): When you take a minute to look closely at a pigeon, you’ll see that they’re quite beautiful. Pairs of Rock Pigeons stay together during all seasons and generally mate for life, with both sexes taking a full share of incubating their eggs and caring for their young. Originally native to parts of Europe, northern Africa, and southern Asia, Rock Pigeons have been domesticated for thousands of years, and escaped birds have established feral populations the world over. I hadn’t planned on photographing pigeons that day, but I’m glad that this couple’s beauty captured my attention.īird Lore: Many people tend to ignore pigeons, but admirers of these adaptable, fast-flying birds abound throughout history and include Charles Darwin. Purposefully exposing for the brighter parts of the image, I used the shadowy environment to create a studio-like black background for these remarkable iridescent birds. I rarely point my lens toward pigeons, but I couldn’t resist as this pair, perched under a pier, carefully groomed each other’s feathers. They thrive in a wide variety of habitats, including where few other species can: a city center. ![]() Story Behind the Shot: They may be common and non-native across most of the globe, but Rock Pigeons are amazing birds. Location: White Rock, British Columbia, CanadaĬamera: Canon EOS R5 with a Canon EF 100–400mm f/4.5–5.6L IS II USM lens 1/1600 second at f/5. Judging criteria: technical quality, originality, artistic merit Grand Prize: Liron Gertsman Founders of the Galbatross Project: Brooke Bateman, Stephanie Beilke, Martha Harbison, Purbita Saha, Joanna Wu.Karine Aigner, conservation photographer.Mick Thompson, wildlife photographer and videographer.Rina Miele, wildlife photographer and videographer.Mike Fernandez, video producer, National Audubon Society.Marlene Pantin, partnerships manager, plants for birds, National Audubon Society.Noppadol Paothong, nature and conservation photographer.Morgan Heim, conservation photographer, filmmaker, and adventurer.Melissa Hafting, conservation photographer and youth nature educator.Preeti Desai, senior director of social media & storytelling, National Audubon Society. ![]()
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