PHOTOGRAPHY, AT ITS BEST, CAN heighten our awareness, allowing us to see the world more clearly. The same could be said about birding. And when we combine the two, magical things happen. Focusing our attention on the winged wonders that share our planet can reveal everything from the finest details to the largest patterns of life, as shown by many of the 8,770 images and 261 videos entered in this year’s contest. We thank all 2,416 photographers for sharing their visions with us.
One trend became clear after the judging was completed: In contrast to recent years, few of the winning images emerged from far-flung expeditions. Most were taken by photographers working close to home. This may be a reflection of the many ways that birds provided solace during the challenging and restrictive conditions brought on by the pandemic.
AMATEUR AWARD WINNER
PHOTOGRAPHER
Robin Ulery
SPECIES
Sandhill Crane
LOCATION
Johns Lake, Winter Garden, Florida
CAMERA
Sony A9 with Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens; 1/800 second at f 6.3; ISO 1600
BEHIND THE SHOT
For three years I’ve watched a pair of Sandhill Cranes that nest near my house, observing and photographing them from my kayak. On a blustery day this spring, I took my camera and paddled out to check on them. Two colts had finally hatched. The wind, though, made for a challenging photo shoot. There was no solid land to anchor to, and I bounced up and down, sometimes missing the birds completely. So I increased my shutter speed and ISO to compensate. Capturing this scene under those conditions felt like a once-in-a-lifetime moment.
BIRD LORE
Sandhill Cranes have
