It suggests using telephoto lenses to zoom in, rather than closely approaching or baiting the birds. The organization also requires its photographers to leave a respectful amount of space between them and the wildlife. Some birders now see this as an unethical practice, as it can disrupt animals’ natural behavior, distracting them from activities such as feeding or protecting their young. As of last year, the nonprofit banned images taken using a technique called playback-when the photographer plays an audio recording of a bird’s own call or the sound of a predator.
The National Audubon Society holds the contestants to high ethical standards. The judges selected several honorable mention recipients and prize winners across eight categories, including one for videos and one for images of female birds. They looked at each image’s technical quality, originality and artistry. A panel of 15 judges whittled down a submission pool of some 2,200 entrants from eight Canadian provinces, all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Last week, the National Audubon Society announced the winners of the 14th iteration of its annual bird photography contest.
From a female Baltimore oriole’s bright yellow feathers, to the iridescent shine of a pigeon’s neck, these winning shots from the 2023 Audubon Photography Awards showcase the beauty of bird life that can often go undetected.
Whether flying, hunting, breeding or preening, birds and their varied behaviors make for some stunning photos.
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