In addition to the three winning photos from the 2019 BirdWatching Photography Awards, we’re thrilled to present this gallery of 22 finalists:
Photographer: Joshua Galicki
Location and date: New Island, Falkland Islands, January 19, 2018.
Description: During a visit to New Island, a remote western island in the Falklands archipelago, I positioned myself along a northern coast cliffside that is home to a nesting Black-browed Albatross colony. While I was enjoying the scene, a pair of birds landed right in front of me and began a courting ritual by clacking their bills, completely unconcerned with my close presence. Due to my close proximity I was able to use a wide-angle lens and capture these birds as well as the surrounding landscape, which adds depth and context to this very special interaction. This was an intimate moment I’ll never forget!
Gear and settings: Canon EOS-1DX Mark II; EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM lens at 20mm; 1/200 sec at f/14; ISO 1600; handheld.
Thanks to our judges: Matt Mendenhall, editor of BirdWatching; Wes Pitts, editor of Outdoor Photographer; Marie Read, an award-winning nature photographer based near Ithaca, New York; and Brian E. Small, a professional nature photographer based in Los Angeles whose photos illustrate our “ID Tips” column.
