24 July, 2019
The National Audubon Society protects birds and the places they inhabit, throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education and on-the-ground conservation. The society has over five hundred chapters nationwide. https://www.audubon.org/
John James Audubon (1785–1851), was a U.S. naturalist who painted and wrote about the birds of North America.
The 2019 Audubon Photography Awards was sponsored by Canon and the winners produced outstanding images of bird life. Two thousand two hundred and fifty three U.S. and Canadian photographers entered the competition.
This years Judges were: Steve Freligh; Publisher - Nature’s Best Photography. Melissa Groo; wildlife photographer and winner of the 2015 contest’s Grand Prize. Kenn Kaufman; bird expert and Audubon field editor. Sabine Meyer; photography director - National Audubon Society. Allen Murabayashi; chairman and co-founder Photo Shelter. John Rowden; Director of community conservation - National Audubon Society.
The grand prize winner is amateur photographer Kathrin Swoboda with an image (title image) of a Red-Winged Blackbird singing on a cold Virginia morning which earned her the $5,000 prize. Her photograph captures the “smoke rings” created as the birds sing out their song. Camera settings: Nikon D500 with Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR lens; 1/800 second at f/6.3; ISO 2500.
Elizabeth Boehm. Professional Winner, Greater Sage-Grouse. Camera settings: Canon EOS 6D with Canon 500mm EF f/4 L IS USM lens; 1/1500 second at f/5.6; ISO 800.
Sebastian Velasquez. Youth Winner, Horned Puffin. Camera settings: Canon EOS Rebel t7i with Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 lens; 1/800 second at f/11; ISO 1600.
Mariam Kamal. Amateur Winner, White Necked Jacobin. Camera settings: Nikon D3300 with Tamron SP AF 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD lens; 1/250 second at f/6.3; ISO 200.
Melissa Ronell. Amateur Honourable Mention, Great Blue Heron. Camera settings: Nikon D500 with Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6 ED VR lens; 1/1250 second at f/5.6; ISO 640.
Kevin Ebi. Professional Honourable Mention. Bald Eagle (vs Fox). Camera settings: Canon EOS-1D X Mark II with Canon EF 600mm f/4 IS lens; 1/320 second at f/11; ISO 1600.
Michael Schulte. Plants for Birds Winner, Hooded Oriale. Camera settings: Canon 7D Mark II with Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC lens; 1/800 second at f/6.3; ISO 1600.
Ly Dang. Fisher Prize Winner, Black Browed Albatross. Camera settings: Nikon D850 with Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED AF-S VR lens; 1/4000 second at f/8.0; ISO 400.
Garrett Sheets. Youth Honourable Mention, Bobolink. Camera settings: Canon EOS 60D with Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 lens; 1/1250 second at f/6.3; ISO 400.
Joseph Prybyla. Plants for Birds Honourable Mention, Purple Gallinule. Camera settings: Nikon D500 with Nikon 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VRII AF-S ED lens; 1/1000 second at f/5.6; ISO 1800.