The international Bird Photographer of the Year 2022 (BPOTY) photography competition has released the current frontrunners from its annual competition.
A Contest With Bird Conservation in MindThe annual contest is now in its seventh year, with over 20,000 entered photos from 115 different countries so far in 2022. The contestants compete for a 拢5,000 ($6,030) cash prize and the prestigious Bird Photographer of the Year 2022 title.
Photographers of all ages and experience levels are welcome to submit their best bird photos, which, if successful, are critiqued by leading experts and may get published in a coffee table book or put on display in the traveling BPOTY exhibition.
The United Kingdom-based organization raises funds for various charities and trusts, supporting bird-related conversation projects.
“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.”
Before announcing the winners on September 8th, 2022, the organization has released a brief preview of this year’s submissions, which can be seen below:
“Life Hanging in the Balance.” Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias. Skagit Valley, Washington State, United States of America. Glenn Nelson, United States of America. Category: Bird Behaviour. 
“Gentoo Dancing at Sunset.” Gentoo Penguin Pygoscelis papua. Sea Lion Island, Falkland Islands. Audrey Wooller, United Kingdom. Category: Best Portrait. 
“Full Contact.” Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia. Hortob谩gy National Park, Hungary. Gabor Baross, Hungary. Category: Bird Behaviour. 
“Fight.” Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus. Finnmark, Norway. Erlend Haarberg, Norway. Category: Bird Behaviour. 
“Wart Head.” Ocellated Turkey Meleagris ocellata. Chan Chich, Belize. Leander Khil, Austria. Category: Best Portrait. 
“Manitoba Burrowing Owl Recovery Program.” Burrowing Owl Athene cunicularia. Manitoba, Canada. Walter Potrebka, Canada. Category: Conservation Award. 
“A Cartoon Bird Raising Its ‘Hands.'” Black-and-yellow Broadbill Eurylaimus ochromalus.Selangor, Malaysia. Weng Keong Liew, Malaysia. Category: Best Portrait. 
“SIngle File.” King Penguin Aptenodytes patagonicus. Gold Harbour, South Georgia, South Georgia. Ben Cranke, South Africa. Category: Best Portrait. 
“Head Over Heels in Love.” Crested Caracara Caracara cheriway. Laguna Seca Ranch, Edinburg, Texas, United States of America. Marti Phillips, United States of America. Category: Bird Behaviour. 
“Upland Buzzard Versus Corsax Fox.” Upland Buzzard Buteo hemilasius. Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China. Baozhu Wang, China. Category: Bird Behaviour. 
“Hummingbird Hideaway.” Anna鈥檚 Hummingbird Calypte anna. Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Liron Gertsman, Canada. Category: Bird Behaviour. More information about the contest, including past year’s winners, can be found on the BPOTY website.
Image credits: All photos individually credited and provided courtesy of the BPOTY.