Roadrunner bathed in sunlight and dust wins 2021 Audubon Photography Awards

The National Audubon Society has announced the winning photos and videos of its 2021 Audubon Photography Awards. The entrants from all across the USA and Canada submitted their photos, and for the first time, the best bird videos were awarded as well. The grand prize went to Carolina Fraser and her photo of a sunbathed, dusty roadrunner. But there are plenty more amazing photos in this year’s selection, so let’s check them out.

This year, the contest marks its 12th year. There were eight prizes across five divisions, and we have a chance to see both winning entries and honorable mentions. They were selected among nearly 2,500 photographers from all 50 states, Washington D.C., and 10 Canadian provinces and territories. They sent in almost 8,800 images and over 260 videos, so I believe the jury had a tough time picking the best ones.

Still, someone has to win, right? :) As I mentioned, Carolina Fraser was selected as the overall winner of this year’s contest. She took the prize-winning image at Los Novios Ranch in Cotulla, Texas.

As I mentioned, the contest now includes the Video Award and the winner is Bill Bryant, while Brent Cizek earned an honorable mention. In addition, Audubon Photography Awards now also recognizes the winner of the Female Bird Prize. It is awarded to the best photograph of a female bird across all divisions. There’s also the already established Fisher Prize on the image that takes the most creative approach to photographing birds, as well as a Plants for Birds Award to the top photograph depicting the relationship between native plants and birds.

Winning photos and videos will be featured in the Summer 2021 issue of Audubon magazine. Top photos and honorable mentions will also be showcased in an Audubon Photography Awards exhibition, which will be hosted as a virtual event this year.

It’s important to note that all photographers must respect Audubon’s Guide to Ethical Bird Photography. As in the previous years, the contest stands for bird conservation and points out some issues related to it. According to Audubon’s 2019 climate science report, two-thirds of North American birds are threatened by extinction from climate change. If you want to learn more about how climate change will affect the birds in your backyard and communities, you can enter your zip code into Audubon‘s interactive Birds and Climate Visualizer.

Take a look at more fantastic photos below and make sure to visit Audubon’s website for more information. And if you like birds like I do (and guys from the band Eels), check out the last year’s winners, too.