“I walked for hours through a unique desert landscape in northern Chile, where the rugged terrain traps sea mist in ravines” – Photographer’s uncommon shot of ‘the ghost of the desert’ honored with main wildlife award

The largest owl in Chile is commonly known as the ghost of the desert as a result of, as photographer Francisco Castro Escobar explains, “Seeing one is so rare that it’s like an apparition.” When he noticed the owl in northern Chile, after strolling for hours by way of the desert, he captured the chook of prey superbly.

“In the distance, we noticed the silhouette of a bird perched among the cacti. I approached slowly without a sound, hiding behind the plants to avoid any disturbance. Once near, I was thrilled to see through my lens an imposing Lesser Horned Owl,” he explains.