Photography Awards - BirdLife Australia

A few weeks ago we shared a post with you on Comedy Wildlife Photo Competition Finalists- the winners will be announced in November and as promised we will let you know.

In the meantime, let’s take a look at the BirdLife Australia photography competition which has been held for a number of years to assist in supporting Australia’s largest independent, not-for-profit, bird conservation organisation. The shortlist for 2021 has now been announced for a range of categories, from Birds in Flight and Bird Behaviour to Backyard Birds and Human Impact. There is also a category for youths up to the age of 18.

Here are a few more of my favourites - aren't they wonderful? Can you imagine the patience and number of hours it would take to capture these images?

BirdLife Australia harnesses the enthusiasm of 150,000 bird-loving Australians to make real and measurable differences to protect native birds and their habitat.

Australia’s birds are a vital link to the health of our natural world. They are highly sensitive and responsive to change and declines in bird numbers are often an early indication of wider environmental problems.

BirdLife Australia are dedicated to conserving Australia’s birds and their habitats through advocacy, and targeted research and monitoring. Our work helps us see the bigger picture of Australia’s environmental health—an approach that has resulted in significant victories for the conservation of our native birds for over 100 years.1

In line with these commitments the rules include that the photo/s must:

1.Be taken within Australian territorial limits and offshore territories of
Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Lord
Howe Island, Norfolk Island, Heard Island, Macquarie Island, McDonald Island;
2.Be of bird species listed in the Current Version of the Working List of
Australian Birds, available from the BirdLife Australia.
3.Not have been taken using harmful or unethical practices.1

Follow the link below to view the 70 shortlisted photographs. If you have time you can also view winners from previous years.

Warning: in the category Human Impact I found a few images a little distressing.

Gallery - Shortlist 2021 — BirdLife Australia Photography Awards
<p>The Australian Bird Photographer of the Year competition is open to photographers world wide. Enter your favourite photographs of Australian birds to win wonderful prizes.</p>

For a bit of fun I had a look at my own bird photos and found one I had taken last week of a bird feeder in a local garden. The owner of the home told me these lorikeets are very cheeky - the pair feeding rule the roost and shoo the others away until they have their fill!

Local Lorikeets - my own photo

It wouldn't make the shortlist for the Backyard Bird category, but it makes a good story. Perhaps you have a photo that might be a contender and a good story to go with it? Send us your best bird photo - and it can be from anywhere in the world. We will publish the best in due course.

The winners of the BirdLife Photography Competition will be announced in early November and we will let you know. Which photos are your favourites and can you pick some winners?

Note:
I could only see the photographers name and image details when I viewed the photos on my computer, not on ipad or iphone. The bigger screen is superior anyway as you can see the details and the wonderful use of light and shadows more easily.

Congratulations to all those short listed and we wish you the best of luck.

Credits:
1. With thanks to birdlife.org.au for images and details.