1st Prize: Best In Frame
Ben Knoot:
For this category, I was looking for technical skill as well as compositional awareness. This photo not only highlights the ability of the photographers technical skills but also their understanding of bird and natural behavior. A well rounded photo deserving of our best in show award.
Chris McQuarrie:
For me, this image stood out as the winner because it is compositionally beautiful and showcases the vast, rugged landscape these puffins live on. The photographer’s choice of a wider lens made this photo possible, and I certainly believe they envisioned it this way before taking the picture.
Ryan Kessler:
I really enjoyed how this image tells the story of the puffins environment while also providing a sense of connection with the eye contact. The use of a wider lens over a tighter lens was a great choice that allowed the moody cliff and crashing waves to give a strong sense of place while still maintaining focus on the puffin pair.
Russel Mav:
This image truly succeeds at every level! The subjects, landscape, light, composition, and technical execution all work together seamlessly. Wide-angle bird photography can be difficult to execute well, yet Rain balances a beautiful environmental scene with strong subject presence. It is both visually compelling and emotionally engaging, creating a complete and memorable photograph.
2nd Prize: The Pure Birder
Ben Knoot:
Persistence, pursuit of knowledge and patience is what I was looking for to highlight this category. The monitoring of this nest cavity, the persistence to wait for this amazing light and the patience to capture the perfect pose awarded this photographer with an absolute stunner of an image.
Chris McQuarrie:
Awarded for capturing the “spirit of birding.” With birding, many tries are required to capture a rare species in a specific setting and it took this photographer many attempts, which required a ruthless amount of dedication, patience, and love for the species in order to have the initiative to even take on such an endeavor.
Ryan Kessler:
This image captures a sense of wonder, showing a small owl tucked within a tree cavity. The patience and dedication required to locate and photograph such an elusive subject embodies the true spirit of birding. The shadows, lighting, and the look in the owls eyes highlight how small wildlife can feel in a vast world.
Russel Mav:
This image embodies the spirit of birding. It reflects the intangible values of bird photography like patience, observation, and dedication, in addition to its technical successes. Jared's commitment to following this cavity over time resulted in an intimate moment that celebrates both the species and the experience of watching birds.
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Meet Our Judges:
Ben is a 24-year-old nature and bird photographer from California with a degree in Environmental Policy and Environmental Education from Western Washington University (2018). He leads photography, birding, and Birding with a Camera (BWCC) tours and workshops for Tropical Birding Tours (tropicalbirding.com), with a goal of creating memorable, successful experiences for fellow nature enthusiasts.
His work has been published by Natures Best Photography, Audubon, Ranger Rick, NANPA, Wildlife Photo Magazine, and the BBC — driven by a lifelong sense of wonder and passion for the natural world.
Russell Mav is a Florida-based wildlife photographer whose work focuses on capturing meaningful moments in the lives of wild animals, particularly birds across the wetlands, rivers, and coastal habitats of the southeastern United States. His photography often highlights behavior, family dynamics, and fleeting interactions that reveal the relationships within the natural world.
Through his work, Russell aims to capture not just what wildlife looks like, but what it feels like to witness these moments in the field. He regularly shares his photography and field experiences online, encouraging photographers to focus on observation, patience, and visual storytelling when approaching wildlife photography. His work has received recognition in both regional and international competitions.
Ryan Kessler is a wildlife photographer based in New Jersey who spends his time in the field learning, practicing, and capturing exciting moments with wildlife. His work is built around showing what’s possible through consistency, time outdoors, and paying attention to the details. Through his photography and content, Ryan enjoys showing what’s possible at any stage and is always happy to share what he’s learned along the way.
Chris McQuarrie is an ethical wildlife photographer and founder on My Inner Wild. His work is driven by a passion for capturing the raw beauty and emotion of the natural world, from sweeping landscapes to intimate moments with wildlife. Beyond photography, he leads immersive nature experiences that invite others to connect deeply with the wilderness.
