On of the world’s most prestigious bird photography competitions has just released a stunning selection of images that are in with a shot of winning this year's competition.
“Birds are an incredibly diverse group of animals, and we’ve seen stunning images of everything from mallard ducks to harpy eagles this year,” says Will Nicholls, wildlife cameraman and Director at Bird Photographer of the Year. “We celebrate birds and conservation through images, and it is always a pleasure for everyone on the judging panel to see the work of such talented photographers.”
The final winners will be announced on 8th September 2022. Following that announcement, the winning images will been shown around the world in a touring exhibition.
A pair of Eurasian spoonbills (Platalea leucorodia)fight, and stop each other from being able to fly away. Photographed at Hortobágy National Park, Hungary.Photo by Gabor Baross/Bird Photographer of the Year
A cartoon bird raising its hands
This black and yellow broadbill (Eurylaimus ochromalus)is causing quite a stir, in an attempt to attract a mate. Their courtship behaviour includes a lot of noisy vocalisation and attention-seeking wingspreading.Photo by Weng Kong Liew/Bird Photographer of the Year
Single file
A group of king penguins (Aptenodytes patagonicus) walk in a line at Gold Harbour, South Georgia. Photo by Ben Cranke/Bird Photographer of the Year
Wart head
This ocellated turkey (Meleagris ocellata) looks stunningwith its red-coloured nodules located on the head and neck. These nodules are more pronounced in males, as seen in this image, photographed at Chan Chich, Belize.Photo by Leander khil/Bird Photographer of the Year
Head over heels in love
A pair of crested caracara (Caracara cheriway) perform their matingrituals at Laguna Seca Ranch, Edinburg, Texas, USA.Photo by Marti Phillips/Bird Photographer of the Year
Life hanging in the balance
Great blue heron (Ardea herodias) photographed having caught a vole, Skagit Valley, Washington State, USA. Photo by Glenn Nelson/Bird Photographer of the Year
As the project’s name suggests, the Burrowing Owl Recovery Program is working to re-establish the burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia) population in Manitoba, Canada. The approach involves the reintroduction of owl pairs and young, wild owl surveys, as seen in this image. Owls are reintroduced every breeding season, with cooperation from private landowners.Photo by Walter Potrebka/Bird Photographer of the Year
Fight
Spotted redshank (Tringa erythropus), photographed fighting at Finnmark, Norway. Photo byErlend Haarberg/Bird Photographer of the Year
Hummingbird hideaway
Anna’s hummingbird (CalypteAnna) mother feeds her young,Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.Photo by Liron Gertsman/Bird Photographer of the Year
Gentoo dancing at sunset
A gentoo penguin (Pygoscelis papua) photographed walking whilst silhouetted by a sunset onSea Lion Island, Falkland Islands, United Kingdom.Photo by Audrey Wooller/Bird Photographer of the Year
James Cutmore is the picture editor of BBC Science Focus Magazine. He has worked on the magazine and website for over a decade, telling compelling science stories through the use of striking imagery. He holds a degree in Fine Art, and has been nominated for the British Society of Magazine Editors Talent Awards, being highly commended in 2020. His main areas of interest include photography that highlights positive technology and the natural world. For many years he was a judge for the Wellcome Trust's image competition, as well as judging for the Royal Photographic Society.
