{"id":42106,"date":"2024-09-24T02:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-09-24T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/2d345ebf-11a8-484e-a805-3e202fe6aa15"},"modified":"2024-09-24T02:27:29","modified_gmt":"2024-09-24T00:27:29","slug":"graphic-image-of-thousands-of-dead-birds-arranged-in-circles-wins-bird-photographer-of-the-year-2024","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/rss_feed\/graphic-image-of-thousands-of-dead-birds-arranged-in-circles-wins-bird-photographer-of-the-year-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"Graphic image of thousands of dead birds arranged in circles wins Bird Photographer of the Year 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"

Diving gannets, soaring hoopoes and scavenging vultures also win prizes in the prestigious photo competition. <\/p>

By Daniel Graham\n <\/p>

Published: Tuesday, 24 September 2024 at 00:00 AM<\/p>

\n\n

The\u00a0<\/em>Bird Photographer of the Year 2024\u00a0winners have been announced, with the top prize going to Patricia Homonylo for her thought-provoking image \u2018When Worlds Collide\u2019.<\/strong><\/p>

The photograph shows more than 4,000 birds killed by window collisions in Canada arranged in concentric circles on the floor.<\/p>

\u201cEach year more than one billion birds die in North America alone due to collisions with windows,\u201d says Homonylo.\u00a0<\/p>

“I hope people are shocked by what they see and are moved to act by using bird-safe glass.\u201d<\/p>

Read on to find out more about Homonylo’s image \u2013 and discover which other photographs were awarded prizes in this year’s Bird Photographer of the Year<\/a>.<\/p>

Bird Photographer of the Year 2024 winners<\/h2>

Immersion by Kat Zhou<\/h3>
Northern gannet, Shetland, UK. Birds in the Environment: Gold Award Winner. Credit: Kat Zhou, Bird Photographer of the Year<\/figcaption><\/figure>

“Here we see a trio of northern gannets<\/a> diving into the ocean on a sunny day in Shetland<\/a>. The\u00a0species is Scotland\u2019s largest seabird, and they are remarkably adept in the water, with the ability to dive to depths as far as 22 metres. I took this photo while scuba diving from a boat near Noss, which is home to the UK\u2019s seventh largest colony of northern gannets.<\/p>

“In the past the population has been estimated at around 25,000 birds, though their numbers were unfortunately severely reduced by the avian flu<\/a> outbreak. It is unclear when, or if, their population will be able to recover. Dead herring from a local herring fishery were used to attract the birds to the boat.” Kat Zhou<\/p>

Winter pink by Alan Murphy<\/h3>
\"Bird
Grey-crowned rosy-finch in Homer, Alaska, United States. Best Portrait: Gold Award Winner. Credit: Alan Murphy, Bird Photographer of the Year<\/figcaption><\/figure>

“During my stay in Alaska, grey-crowned rosy-finches would gather in large flocks next to my hotel. Fortunately for photographers, they are a very tame species and they allowed me to set up my tripod and camera to grab a few frames before they all took off. The colours in the background are distant boats in a marina.” Alan Murphy<\/p>

Human and nature (and dog) by Emil Wagner<\/h3>
\"Bird
Grey plover in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Germany. 15\u201317 years: Gold Award Winner. Credit: Emil Wagner, Bird Photographer of the Year<\/figcaption><\/figure>

“I took this photo on a beautiful beach on the Baltic Sea. There are a number of waders and other birds here, but also many visitors who enjoy the beautiful landscape. In this case there was also a dog who initially did not notice the grey plover. <\/p>

“The grey plover, however, did notice the dog and flew away shortly after I took the photo. While I do not believe this incident greatly stressed the bird, it is crucial to acknowledge the potential impact of human activity and tourism on protected species and their habitats. In my opinion, the scene represents this potential conflict between humans and nature.” Emil Wagner<\/p>

Dawn’s whispers: graceful hoopoe silhouette at sunrise by Hermis Haridas<\/h3>
\"Bird
Eurasian hoopoe in Al Qudra Lakes, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Birds in Flight: Gold Award Winner. Credit: Hermis Haridas, Bird Photographer of the Year<\/figcaption><\/figure>

“A Eurasian hoopoe<\/a> took flight with its wings spread in a smooth motion across the canvas of the early-morning sky illuminated by the sunrise\u2019s bright hues. I saw that this bird would occasionally grab its prey in the air and other times on the ground. Additionally, I noticed that each time it caught prey, it flew in the same direction to a nearby tree. That was when I had the idea to photograph the bird against a background divided into dark and light, representing the contrasting sides of existence. <\/p>

“The following morning, I returned to the same spot well before sunrise, eager to witness nature\u2019s spectacle unfold once again. Anticipation heightened as the first rays of light bathed the landscape, and, true to my expectations, the hoopoe appeared in the distance, gliding gracefully towards the perch that was familiar from the previous day. With my camera poised and settings adjusted, I commenced capturing the unfolding scene. <\/p>

“Among the flurry of clicks, I chanced upon a frame that resonated deeply with me \u2013 a moment frozen in time, brimming with unique charm. It was as if nature had bestowed upon me a gift, a singular composition that encapsulates the essence of the hoopoe\u2019s beauty and grace. Indeed, many have remarked that this frame is a marvel that cannot be replicated \u2013 a testament to the serendipitous wonders that await those who seek them amid the natural world.” Hermis Haridas<\/p>

Treacherous journey by Grzegorz D\u0142ugosz<\/h3>
\"Bird
Goosander in Warsaw, Poland. Urban Birds: Gold Award Winner. Credit: Grzegorz D\u0142ugosz, Bird Photographer of the Year<\/figcaption><\/figure>

“Goosanders breed in the park about 1 kilometre from Poland\u2019s life-giving River Vistula. Each mother has to move her brood to the river as quickly as possible due to lack of food and safety in the park. They make the journey through a series of underground passages and over a six-lane highway. <\/p>

“Each year a group of volunteers help them cross this deadly road by stopping the traffic. After crossing they arrive at the River Vistula where they can feed and grow. This image shows a mother goosander crossing a smaller road because she decided not to use the scary and dark underground passage below it.” Grzegorz D\u0142ugosz<\/p>

Scavenger by Nathaniel Peck<\/h3>
\"Bird
Turkey vulture in the United States. Bird Behaviour: Gold Award Winner. Nathaniel Peck, Bird Photographer of the Year<\/figcaption><\/figure>

“In early March 2023, the remains of an American black bear<\/a> were discovered by hikers along a rushing mountain stream in West Virginia. It was very clear from the large patches of missing fur that the bear had died after a battle with mange. <\/p>

“After being informed of the carcass and securing permission, I set up a DSLR camera trap that took images of all the animals that came in to investigate and scavenge off the bear. The set-up remained in place for six months. As the weather warmed in spring, this Turkey vulture <\/a>became a frequent visitor, sometimes spending hours at the carcass.” Nathaniel Peck<\/p>

Turbulent fish hunt by Julian Mendla<\/h3>
\"Bird
Eurasian bittern at Lake Federsee, Germany. 11 and Under. Gold Award Winner. Credit: Julian Mendla, Bird Photographer of the Year<\/figcaption><\/figure>

“Lake Federsee is a famous wintering area for numerous migratory birds. From November to March, Eurasian bitterns<\/a> are frequent visitors to this lake. As soon as the lake freezes over, these rare birds retreat to trenches through the reeds. Surprisingly, this individual was very close to the boardwalk that leads through the nature reserve. From there, I could easily watch its fishing campaign and take numerous photos.” Julian Mendla<\/p>

Perspective by Andr\u00e9s Luis Dom\u00ednguez Blanco<\/h3>
\"Bird
Eurasian nuthatch in Grazalema, Spain. 12\u201314 years: Gold Award Winner and Young Bird Photographer of the Year. Credit: Andr\u00e9s Luis Dom\u00ednguez Blanco, Bird Photographer of the Year<\/figcaption><\/figure>

“I photographed this Eurasian nuthatch<\/a> at Grazalema in southern Spain using a wide-angle lens. An oak tree next to a river provides cover for species such as woodpeckers and nuthatches coming down to drink. I was using a remote-control set-up, and I just had to wait. Since these species like to climb trunks, I thought about what their vision and\u00a0perspective\u00a0would be like.” Andr\u00e9s Luis Dom\u00ednguez Blanco<\/p>

Hippo immersion by David Stowe<\/h3>
\"Bird
Hoary-headed grebe in Sydney, Australia. Black and White: Gold Award Winner. Credit: David Stowe, Bird Photographer of the Year<\/figcaption><\/figure>

“This photograph shows a hoary-headed grebe as it disappears below the surface of the water to feed, pushing into the depths with its huge paddle-like feet. I took the image from a raised platform high above the wetland. With a little bit of imagination, the combination of bird and ripples look like the head of a hippo<\/a>.” David Stowe<\/p>

A modern dancer by Nadia Haq<\/h3>
\"Bird
Ad\u00e9lie penguin in Antarctica. Comedy Bird Photo: Gold Award Winner. Credit: Nadia Haq, Bird Photographer of the Year<\/figcaption><\/figure>

“I was sitting on a Zodiac next to my husband and 10-year-old son near Brown Bluff, Antarctica, when we spotted a group of Ad\u00e9lie penguins<\/a> on some sea ice. As we slowly approached them, they started to toboggan on the ice, and I captured one of them sliding as if performing a modern dance move.” Nadia Haq<\/p>

\"Bird
Migratory birds, various in Toronto, Canada. Conservation (Single Image): Gold Award Winner and Bird Photographer of the Year 2024. Credit: Patricia Seaton Homonylo, Bird Photographer of the Year<\/figcaption><\/figure>

“Each year during spring and fall migration over 1.3 billion birds die in North America as a result of window collisions. A network of dedicated volunteers heads out each morning to pick up the pieces. For over 30 years FLAP<\/a> (Fatal Light Awareness Program) volunteers have patrolled cities worldwide in search of birds that have collided with windows. While their efforts have saved an impressive number of bird collision survivors, the majority do not survive the impact. But the fallen birds are never left behind. Their bodies are collected and their lives honoured in the annual\u00a0\u2018Bird Layout\u2019. <\/p>

“The Layout brings volunteers together to arrange the dead birds in an emotive and provocative display. While The Layout honours the fallen birds and brings closure for the volunteers, it is also a critical event that raises public awareness and highlights a global issue. I have volunteered with FLAP for four years and attend The Layout annually. From hawks to hummingbirds, this 2022 display includes more than 4,000 birds.” Patricia Seaton Homonylo<\/p>

Find out more about the Bird Photographer of the Year 2024<\/a>.<\/p>

More wild stories from around the world<\/strong><\/p>