“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.

This uncommon and mystical shot has been awarded the Grand Prize within the Audubon Photography Awards – a contest honoring photographers who used their expertise to spotlight the wonder, challenges and threats that birds face throughout Chile, Colombia, Canada and the United States. You can discover all 2026 profitable pictures here.

Grand Prize

Contest: Chile and Colombia
Species: Lesser Horned Owl
Location: Paposo ​​​​Natural Preserve, Antofagasta, Chile
Gear: Sony A7 IV + Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS
Exposure: 1/800 sec, f/7.1, ISO2000

Bird Lore
Until recently, this nocturnal hunter of southern South America was considered a Great Horned Owl – a species widespread from Canada and Alaska to northern Argentina. But it has a very different voice, featuring two rapid hoots followed by a guttural trill.

It’s not exclusively a desert owl, however: Like its northern relative, the Lesser Horned Owl has adapted to a variety of habitats, from scrubby forests of the high Andes to rocky canyons and lowland desert.

Judge’s Take (Sebastian Herzog)
“This photo evokes a feeling of finding an enchanted spot in the heart of Chile’s natural landscape. Set against a dimly lit backdrop, the captivating gaze of this majestic owl’s intense yellow eyes stands out against its snow-white face, creating a fairy-tale atmosphere.

“Thanks to a perfectly calculated depth of field and impeccable composition, the vibrant cactus becomes an unexpected companion to the solitary protagonist. ”

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