BirdsCaribbean’s third biennial photography competition took place at our 22^nd International Conference in Guadeloupe. The five judges found it difficult to decide on the winners in each of three categories, and in particular the Grand Prize Winner. Artistry, composition, technique, colour, humour – and a great love for the subject matter – were embodied in the striking photographs submitted. Photos were taken between July 21 and August 3, 2019 and uploaded via BirdsCaribbean’s Flickr site. The Grand Prize was donated by Vortex Optics.  Click here to see all the photos submitted (hashtag #BCPhotoContest2019). The three categories were:

1. Endemics – including endemic and regional (West Indies) endemic birds of Guadeloupe;
2. Fun With Birds and People – showing humans, birds and nature interacting (including conference activities); and
3. Birds and Nature – featuring Guadeloupe’s non-endemic birds, close-up shots of other wildlife, natural habitats, and landscapes.

Below are the winners, with some comments from the judges:

Grand Prize Winner

Guadeloupe Woodpecker by Frantz Delcroix: The only endemic bird of Guadeloupe has just caught a moth and is sitting near his nest with his meal in his bill. “Nicely focused and composed,” with the light catching his rufous breast feathers.

Endemics

1^st Prize: Antillean Crested Hummingbird by Aslam I. Castellón Maure. The eye and the crest are in sharp focus. “It draws you into the picture…Great portrait.”

2^nd Prize: Purple-throated Carib by John C. Sterling. A “wood fairy bursting out of the shadows. Dazzling and puzzling at the same time.”

3^rd Prize: Guadeloupe Woodpecker by Judd Patterson. “Really sharp, especially eye, good habitat setting, exposure is spot on.”

Honorable Mentions: Plumbeous Warbler by Frantz Delcroix. Scaly-breasted Thrasher by Judd Patterson.

Fun With Birds and People

1^st Prize: Seabird Viewing by John Webster. A panoramic view of a field trip group. “This speaks to what the conference does…connect people to others passionate about birds and the actual environment all seek to preserve, protect and nurture…Could be oil painting!”

2^nd Prize: Beach Break! by John Webster. “Great focus and depth of field. Good use of a smartphone!”

3^rd Prize: Recording Guadeloupe Woodpecker by Venicio Wilson Altamiranda. An atmospheric image… “Science and fashion in the shot. Note the foot lifted as he is working it.”

Honorable Mentions: Woodpecker Blues by John Webster. Grassland Yellow Finch by Martin Gebauer. Walking Deshaies Guadeloupe by Venicio Wilson Altamiranda. They Believe They Can Fly by Frantz Delcroix.

Birds and Nature

1^st Prize: Guadeloupe Anole by Judd Patterson. “Beautifully framed by the vegetation.” “Great composition, framing – green within green.” “The blurred foreground frame adds to the surprise moment for both anole and photographer.”

2^nd Prize: Three Pelicans Plunging by Holly Garrod. “I like the raw energy of this trio, as if they are doing an air show.” “The marvelous, crazy shapes of the birds – wings, beaks, feet.”

3^rd Prize: Snowy Egret by Aslam I. Castellón Maure. “This is an amazing shot…the feathering reminds me of a fashion shoot with this gorgeous model.”

Honorable Mentions: Black-necked Stilt by Venicio Wilson Altamiranda. Stick Insect by Frantz Delcroix. Bananaquit by Aslam I. Castellón Maure. Congratulations to all our winners!

The Grand Prize winner will receive a Vortex Viper Angled Spotting Scope: 20 – 60 x 85. First Prize Winners will receive an Echo (2^nd Generation) Smart Speaker with Alexa and Dolby processing. Those coming in second will receive an Echo Dot (3^rd Generation) Smart Speaker with Alexa. Third place winners will receive a LETSCOM Fitness Tracker with Heart Rate Monitor, Slim Sports Activity Tracker Watch, Waterproof Pedometer Watch with Sleep Monitor.

Many thanks to our five fabulous judges: Ivan Mota, Skip Glenn, Andrew Dobson, Stephen Cutting and Emma Lewis, for their time, their keen eyes, and thoughtful consideration of each entry. Huge thanks also to Vortex Optics for donating the Grand Prize.  Last but not least – our deepest appreciation to all those who entered the contest.  We really enjoyed these beautiful shots, making it quite challenging for judges to choose.

Please enjoy this photo gallery of all the Honorable Mentions!

Plumbeous Warbler. (Photo by Frantz Delcroix)

They Believe They Can Fly by Frantz Delcroix

Stick Insect by Frantz Delcroix

Woodpecker Blues by John Webster

Bananaquit by Aslam I. Castellón Maure

Scaly-breasted Thrasher by Judd Patterson

Black-necked Stilt by Venicio Wilson Altamiranda

Grassland Yellow Finch by Martin Gebauer

Walking Deshaies Guadeloupe by Venicio Wilson Altamiranda

Click here to see all the photos submitted to the 2019 contest on Flickr (hashtag #BCPhotoContest2019). Winners of BirdsCaribbean Photo Contest 2015 – Cuba Winners of BirdsCaribbean Photo Contest 2015 – Jamaica