Our 2020 Color of Birds contest attracted loads of great images. We’re happy to present this slideshow of honorable mention photos, featuring hummingbirds, toucans, and many more birds. Enjoy!
“After birdwatching through the Stivers Lagoon Nature Area in Fremont, California, I decided to head back to my car and leave the area to return home,” says Val Blakely. “On my way back as I crossed a footbridge over Mission Creek, out of the corner of my eye I spotted movement in the creek, where there was a Great Blue Heron fishing at a distance of approximately 40 feet away from me. After the heron finished fishing and eating, he decided to preen himself. I moved slowly and quietly to get closer, allowing me to produce this photograph.”
Equipment and settings: Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens. Exposure: 1/500th sec., f/5.6, ISO 5000.
View the Color of Birds contest finalists
Third place: White-necked Jacobin
First place: Orange-breasted Bunting
Many thanks to our panel of guest judges: bird photographer Mia McPherson, photo editor and photographer Ernie Mastroianni, and Outdoor Photographer Editor Wes Pitts.
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