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CNN –
A stunning image of a peregrine falcon attacking a giant pelican Bright orange talons won the top prize in this year’s Bird Photographer of the Year competition.
Now in its eighth edition, the competition celebrates the beauty of birds while raising awareness of the growing pressures they face. Photographers from around the world submitted more than 20,000 images to the competition, all vying for the £5,000 ($6,280) top prize.
US photographer Jack Zhi, who took the winning image in Southern California, says he waited four years to capture the rare moment when a female hawk pounced on a brown pelican more than twice her size.
“During breeding season, a female peregrine falcon is fiercely protective of her young and will attack anything that comes near the nest,” he explained in a press release. “High-speed hunting made it difficult to get a close-up shot with a long lens.”
But finally he succeeded. “The action was quick and over in the blink of an eye. But I will remember this moment forever,” he said.
Other photographers were recognized for artistic and atmospheric shots, such as the image of a blackbird silhouetted against the moon, taken by 17-year-old Anton Trexler, which was named Young Bird Photographer of the Year. There were also awards for comedy shots, such as Antonio Aguti’s shot of a hungry heron trying to force a very large fish into its beak.
Contest organizers hope the powerful images will promote not only the talent of photographers, but also the importance of birds and their conservation. According to the latest State of the World’s Birds report published by BirdLife International, almost half of the planet’s bird species are in decline and one in eight species are at risk of extinction.
“The amazing quality of these photos underscores an important message: Let’s commit to conservation so that future generations can marvel at the real-life inspiration behind these extraordinary images,” said Will Nicholls, director of Bird Photographer of the Year. in a press release.
Profits from the competition support various conservation projects through the prize’s own charity, Birds on the Brink. The winning images are also published in an illustrated book every year.