The 2025 Audubon Photography Awards Emphasize Epic and Endangered Migrations — Colossal

In so-called “granary trees,” acorn woodpeckers drill exceptional pegboard-like patterns through which they retailer hundreds upon hundreds of acorns for meals over the winter. And the Austral pygmy-owl, endemic to elements of Argentina and Chile, could be recognized by its high-pitched toot. These are only a few of the unimaginable array of chicken species represented by the highest entries on this yr’s Audubon Photography Awards.

The 2025 contest includes two groupings emphasizing migration, with submissions welcome from Canada and the U.S., together with Chile and Colombia. From there, entries are categorized into themed awards just like the Youth, Conservation, Birds Without Borders, and Birds in Landscape prizes.

The grand prize from the Chile and Colombia pool has been awarded to Felipe Esteban Toledo Alarcón for his dramatic seize of a ringed kingfisher retreating over the water. And the highest prize chosen from U.S. and Canada submissions goes to Liron Gertsman for his shot of magnificent frigatebirds silhouetted by the solar.

“Chile and Colombia are home to some of the world’s most biodiverse landscapes and seascapes,” says an announcement. “Many of the birds that migrate between these vibrant countries and Canada and the United States are vulnerable to extinction due to climate change…Audubon works to
protect these birds from the dual crises of climate change and biodiversity loss through coordinated efforts across countries and regions to ensure their survival year-round.”

Explore galleries of this yr’s winners and honorable mentions, or seize a duplicate of the Fall 2025 Audubon Magazine. Entries for the 2026 competitors will open in January. You may additionally get pleasure from following birds alongside their annual migrations by way of Audubon’s elaborate, interactive maps.