The Audubon Societyannouncedwinners for its 2018 Photography Awards and if you ’re not already a bird partizan , then prepare yourself to be convert otherwise .
Three winners were picked from more than 8,000 entries submitted by photographers from all 50 US states and 10 Canadian provinces for the one-year competition ’s 9th yr . Winners werechosenbased on the image ’s technical tone , originality , and esthetic merit , with the grand loot achiever receiving $ 5,000 .
IFLScience verbalize with the Audubon Society , who says this year ’s contest is in festivity of the many wench species protected under the 100 - year - old Migratory Bird Treaty Act ( MBTA ) , which they say is “ the most important shuttlecock conservation law”under attackby the current administration .
“ It ’s important to call up that maintaining healthy populations of wench to photograph necessitate the thoughtful software of conservation policies like the [ MBTA ] and the Endangered Species Act , ” saidSabine Meyer , contest judge and theatre director of photography for society . “ At the end of the solar day , we hope people look at these photo and get out with a renewed love for bird and grasp for the rude macrocosm . ”
The pact protects more than1,000 migratory birdsby making itillegalfor anyone to possess , transport , or sell the bird , its nests , or egg . It ’s think of to assist offset the tens of millions of birds who decease each year from human - made infrastructure , oil spills , and pesticides , according to theNew York Times . However , the Department of the Interior has move adifferent translationof the act that let company not take in preventative measure so long as they are not intentionally trying to drink down species of migratory birds .
Audubon has designate 2018 as “ Year of the Bird ” to bring attention to the C - old act , which the order tell protects many of the shuttlecock in this year ’s acquire photograph .
So , without further ado , here are the winners :
Grand Prize Winner : Great Gray Owl in Teton County , Wyoming
Professional Winner : Black - necked Stilts in California ’s Merced National Wildlife Refuge
Amateur Winner : Long - give chase Tilt in Japan ’s National Park
Youth Winner : Cobalt - fly Parakeets in Yasuni National Park , Ecuador
Professional Honorable Mention : Red - fly Blackbird in Merced National Wildlife Refuge , California
Amateur Honorable Mention : Wood Duck in Gwynns Falls , Maryland
Youth Honorable Mention : Bald Eagle Talons in Boundary Bay , British Columbia
Youth Honorable Mention : Fawn - breasted Brilliant in Mindo , Ecuador
