At the end of 2021, we called for entries for our first-ever Backyard and City Bird Contest, here on our website. Bird photographers captured more than 600 images taken in yards, parks and other urban and suburban locations. Thank you to everyone who participated in the contest!
Entries included images of owls, hummingbirds, cardinals, jays, finches, and more from hundreds of photographers. The selection of images was outstanding and our judges had a tough job! Today, we are proud to present the finalist photos, featured in the following slideshow. Each caption tells the story behind the photo, from the photographers themselves. Enjoy!
We will announce the winners on Friday April 29 and feature them in our July/August issue.
Pyrrhuloxia
Photo by Brent Barnes
I took this photo on a hot May day just outside of Harlingen, Texas. I was photographing birds near a very small pond and this Pyrrhuloxia came in for a quick dip. As he dived back into the water and sat up and shook the water off his feathers, causing drops to fly all around him, I was able to get this photo showing his swimming activity.
Edinburgh, Texas, May 2021
Want to see more? Here are our 12 honorable mention photos.
