Winning Images from Bird Photographer of the Year 2024
The Bird Photographer of the Year 2024 competition has announced its winners, showcasing stunning images that highlight the beauty and vulnerability of birds. Here are some of the notable winning images and their stories:
– **Overall Winner: “When Worlds Collide” by Patricia Homonylo**
– This impactful image depicts over 4,000 birds that died colliding with windows in Toronto. Homonylo, a Canadian conservation photojournalist, aims to raise awareness about this tragic issue and support organizations like the Fatal Light Awareness Program (FLAP). The image also won Gold in the Conservation (Single Image) category.
– **Young Bird Photographer of the Year: Andrés Luis Domínguez Blanco**
– A 14-year-old Spanish photographer, Blanco won for his creative shot of a nuthatch navigating down an oak tree in southern Spain. His image captures the bird’s perspective and behavior, showcasing the intricate details of nature.
– **Best Portrait: Samual Stone**
– Stone’s silver award-winning image features a Mute Swan in London, UK. The photograph was taken during a crisp morning with mist descending, creating a soft morning glow. Stone’s perseverance paid off as he finally captured the perfect shot after multiple attempts.
– **Birds in Flight: Nicolas Groffal**
– Groffal’s silver award-winning image captures the elegant flight of a European Goldfinch in France. The photographer used a flash and camera in ‘rear curtain’ mode to immortalize the bird’s delicate trail, requiring hundreds of shots before capturing the perfect moment.
– **Birds in Flight: Hermis Haridas**
– Haridas won the Gold award in this category for his image of a bird in flight. The photograph showcases the avian mastery of the sky, highlighting the dynamic movement and beauty of birds in flight.
– **Video Award: Malkolm Boothroyd**
– Boothroyd won the Gold award in the Video Award category for his powerful sequence of clips that create a compelling story. The video award focuses on strong sequences that tell a story, making Boothroyd’s work stand out.
These images not only celebrate the beauty of birds but also raise awareness about conservation issues, such as window collisions and habitat destruction. The competition supports grassroots bird conservation projects globally through its partnership with Birds on the Brink.
