Action, drama, and art meet nature in this dynamic photo of Great Blue Herons taken by Melissa Rowell, the Amateur Honorable Mention winner in the 2019 Audubon Photography Awards.

This week the National Audubon Society named six winners and four honorable mention photographers in the 2019 Audubon Photography Awards, marking the 10th year of this prestigious photo contest. The most impressive winning photos and honorable mention images were selected from 2,253 entrants from all 50 states and 10 Canadian provinces and territories to appreciate the wonder of birds and the places they inhabit. Birds featured in winning photos included Great Blue Herons, a Horned Puffin, Bobolink, Hooded Oriole, Bald Eagle, and more.

This year, Audubon photo contest judges introduced the Plants for Birds Prize and the Fisher Prize. The Plants for Birds Prize was awarded to the highest scoring photograph featuring birds and plants native to the area the photo was taken. The Fisher Prize was awarded to the photograph depicting the most creative approach to bird photography across all divisions: Professional, Amateur, Youth, and Plants for Birds.

For more information and a look at the exciting selection of 10 winning and honorable mention bird photographs, see https://www.audubon.org/news/2019-audubon-photography-awards-marks-10th-year-exquisite-bird-photography