Capturing the perfect wildlife shot takes intense patience, serious trekking, and a little bit of magic. The winning shots in the 2026 Audubon Photography Awards prove just how breathtaking those lucky moments can be!
This year’s competition ran two parallel contests: one for photographers across the U.S. and Canada, and another highlighting talent in Chile and Colombia. The North American Grand Prize went to Jacqueline Burke for her jaw-dropping photo of a roseate spoonbill splashing around in a shadowed Florida cove. The contrast between the bird’s bright pink feathers and the dark, moody water makes it look straight out of a dream.
Meanwhile, the Chile and Colombia Grand Prize went to Francisco Castro Escobar, who pulled off a total stroke of luck in northern Chile. During an early dawn hike, he spotted a super elusive lesser horned owl perched right on a cactus. Locals call this beauty “the ghost of the desert” because seeing one is practically an apparition, making his winning shot even more extraordinary.
Beyond the main prizes, this year’s contest celebrated incredible work across specialized categories like Birds Without Borders, Plants for Birds, Conservation, and Youth. It’s a powerful reminder of how much beauty is soaring right above us! Which of these top bird photography shots is your favorite?
