An impressive photo of a Gentoo Penguin submitted last year by Gabi Duncombe.

Today through April 7th, the 2021 Audubon Photo Awards are officially open for entries, including submissions for 2 new prizes: the Female Bird Prize and the Video Prize. Judges will award 8 prizes to photographers and videographers this year in the following categories: The Grand Prize, Amateur, Professional, Youth, Plants for Birds, Female Bird, Video, and the Fisher Prize. The prizes are significant! They range from $5,000 to $1,000, and winning photos will be featured in an issue of Audubon magazine.

The Female Bird Prize will be awarded to the top image depicting a female bird, casting the spotlight on often overlooked subjects in bird photography. Because female birds tend to be more elusive and less flashy than males, this category adds an extra incentive for photographers.

The contest’s new Video category will highlight the action of birds in their full glory performing interesting behaviors and interacting in their habitats. All submissions must contain at least one bird and accurately reflect the subject as it appeared in the camera’s viewfinder. Video captured by “digiscoping” (using a mobile phone or digital camera body with a spotting scope) is also encouraged in this category.

Ranging from $5,000 to $1,000 American dollars, the prizes are significant! If you win, it’s like winning the lottery (a small one), and winning photos will be featured in a future issue of Audubon magazine. The top photos and honorable mention winners will also be showcased in a virtual Audubon Photography Awards exhibit hosted by Audubon chapters and Audubon centers nationwide.

To learn more about the 2021 Audubon Photo Awards and to review photo submissions from past years, see https://www.audubon.org/news/2021-audubon-photography-awards-open-12th-year-competition-two-new-prizes-female