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Nature is a magnificent thing full of beauty, surprises, and all kinds of interesting critters. No wonder so many photographers love to work with it. It's very fun to see a photograph that has been captured at the perfect moment. Especially when it's something as unpredictable and fast-moving as a bird.

That's why Bird Photographer of the Year (BPTY) organizes a contest every year to see all those perfectly captured moments. These awards focus on our feathered friends and their lives, showing us their everyday struggles, wins, and experiences. Photographers all over the world submit their pictures and we finally have the winners of 2021! Including some category winners and honorable mentions.

The organizers told us: "Now in its 6th year, the world's premier bird photography competition saw over 22,000 entries from 73 different countries all in competition for the £5,000 grand prize. Bird Photographer of the Year is a strong supporter of conservation, providing financial support for grassroots projects throughout partner charity Birds on the Brink." Click here to see the previous article!

More info: birdpoty.com | Instagram | Facebook | twitter.com

#1

Bird Behaviour: ‘Floral Bathtub’ By Mousam Ray (Gold)

Bird Behaviour: ‘Floral Bathtub’ By Mousam Ray (Gold)

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On their website, the Bird Photographer of the Year Competition tells us more about themselves: "Bird Photographer of the Year is a global photographic competition: it is a celebration of avian beauty and diversity, and a tribute to the flexibility and quality of today’s modern digital imaging systems. Some fantastic prizes are on offer including our top prize of £5,000, plus a host of other prizes including camera equipment from Olympus, binoculars from Swarovski Optik, and much more."

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    #2

    Best Portrait: Night Hunter By Jonas Classon (Bronze)

    Best Portrait: Night Hunter By Jonas Classon (Bronze)

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    #3

    Best Portfolio Winner By Kevin Morgans

    Best Portfolio Winner By Kevin Morgans

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    "Never before has there been a competition of this scale dedicated purely to the growing interest in, and passion for, photographing one of the most interesting and engaging areas of natural history. The advent of digital technology has revolutionized photography in recent years and some fantastic images, of a quality that wouldn’t have been possible in the days of film, now proliferate on the internet for millions to see."

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    #4

    Highly Commended: Brad James – Morning Breath

    Highly Commended: Brad James – Morning Breath

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    #5

    Highly Commended: Tim Hopwood - Present Under The Tree (Birds In The Environment)

    Highly Commended: Tim Hopwood - Present Under The Tree (Birds In The Environment)

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    "Bird Photographer of the Year is a competition that will appeal to a wide range of people. Whether you are a hardened pro, a keen amateur with the latest kit, or simply a hobbyist with a camera phone or small compact camera, there is an opportunity for you to have your pictures critiqued by leading experts, win prizes, appear in a stunning coffee table book and perhaps be on display in the traveling BPOTY exhibition. And who knows, you could be our next ‘Bird Photographer of the Year’ and win £5,000."

    #6

    ‘Blocked’ By Alejandro Prieto. Overall Winner And Bird Photographer Of The Year 2021

    ‘Blocked’ By Alejandro Prieto. Overall Winner And Bird Photographer Of The Year 2021

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    #7

    Highly Commended: Ben Hall – Backlit Beauty (Birds In The Environment)

    Highly Commended: Ben Hall – Backlit Beauty (Birds In The Environment)

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    "The competition is open to residents of any territory and to entrants of all ages. There are eight categories to enter and additional special awards, offering plenty of chances to win. The competition is open to people who wish to submit anything from a single image to an extensive portfolio. If you have any questions relating to the competition or the entry process then please contact us."

    #8

    Black And White: ‘Feather Light’ By James Rogerson (Silver)

    Black And White: ‘Feather Light’ By James Rogerson (Silver)

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    #9

    Highly Commended: Gail Bisson - Aerial Acrobat

    Highly Commended: Gail Bisson - Aerial Acrobat

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    #10

    ‘Sing Heartily’ By Maofeng Shen (Silver)

    ‘Sing Heartily’ By Maofeng Shen (Silver)

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    #11

    Birds In The Environment: ‘Yellow-Billed Oxpecker With Cape Buffalo’ By Barbara Fleming (Bronze)

    Birds In The Environment: ‘Yellow-Billed Oxpecker With Cape Buffalo’ By Barbara Fleming (Bronze)

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    #12

    Highly Commended: Akhil Vinayak Balachandra Menon - The Spirit Of Love (Black And White)

    Highly Commended: Akhil Vinayak Balachandra Menon - The Spirit Of Love (Black And White)

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    #13

    9-13 Years: ‘In The Woodland’ By Andrés L. Domínguez Blanco (Gold)

    9-13 Years: ‘In The Woodland’ By Andrés L. Domínguez Blanco (Gold)

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    Miss Frankfurter
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Great talent already. Keep up your interest. Great future in photography.

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    #14

    Highly Commended: Lisle Gwynn - Surface Break (Best Portrait)

    Highly Commended: Lisle Gwynn - Surface Break (Best Portrait)

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    #15

    Highly Commended: Tibor Litauszki - Thrush Dream (Best Portrait)

    Highly Commended: Tibor Litauszki - Thrush Dream (Best Portrait)

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    #16

    Highly Commended: Basileo Stanislao – Waiting For Prey (Birds In The Environment)

    Highly Commended: Basileo Stanislao – Waiting For Prey (Birds In The Environment)

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    Caro Caro
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    WOW. I would want this printed and I'll hang it in the livingroom.

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    #17

    Urban Birds: ‘The Guardians’ By Paolo Crocetta (Bronze)

    Urban Birds: ‘The Guardians’ By Paolo Crocetta (Bronze)

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    #18

    Attention To Detail: ‘Blue Flames’ By Kerry Wu (Bronze)

    Attention To Detail: ‘Blue Flames’ By Kerry Wu (Bronze)

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    #19

    Birds In Flight: ‘First Come First Served’ By Hannes Lochner (Bronze)

    Birds In Flight: ‘First Come First Served’ By Hannes Lochner (Bronze)

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    #20

    Bird Behaviour: ‘Entangled’ By Julie Halliday (Bronze)

    Bird Behaviour: ‘Entangled’ By Julie Halliday (Bronze)

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    PurpleUnicorn
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Blue eyed shag, the southernmost cormorant species. Several species of birds exhibit this type of behaviour, commonly part of pair-bonding

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    #21

    Highly Commended: Mohammad Murad - Water Barrier (Attention To Detail)

    Highly Commended: Mohammad Murad - Water Barrier (Attention To Detail)

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    #22

    14-17 Years: 'The Nightjar' By Daniel Martínez (Silver)

    14-17 Years: 'The Nightjar' By Daniel Martínez (Silver)

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    #23

    ‘Underwater Portrait’ By Felipe Foncueva (Gold)

    ‘Underwater Portrait’ By Felipe Foncueva (Gold)

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    #24

    Highly Commended: Ben Cranke – The Blizzard (Birds In The Environment)

    Highly Commended: Ben Cranke – The Blizzard (Birds In The Environment)

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    #25

    Attention To Detail: ‘Growing Up’ By Raymond Hennessy (Silver)

    Attention To Detail: ‘Growing Up’ By Raymond Hennessy (Silver)

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    #26

    Urban Birds: ‘Lockdown’ By William Steel (Silver)

    Urban Birds: ‘Lockdown’ By William Steel (Silver)

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    jevais
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Just how I feel since 2020, locked down in my private jail, my home.

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    #27

    Highly Commended: Aguti Antonio – Aggression (Best Portrait)

    Highly Commended: Aguti Antonio – Aggression (Best Portrait)

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    #28

    Birds In The Environment: ‘Claiming The Forest Floor’ By Joshua Galicki (Silver)

    Birds In The Environment: ‘Claiming The Forest Floor’ By Joshua Galicki (Silver)

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    Jolteon999
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    whats it staring at? (must be preeeeeetty interesting if its mouth is open)

    #29

    Attention To Detail: ‘Disappearing’ By Rafael Armada (Gold)

    Attention To Detail: ‘Disappearing’ By Rafael Armada (Gold)

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    #30

    Black And White: ‘Chinstrap Penguin’ By Renato Granieri (Gold)

    Black And White: ‘Chinstrap Penguin’ By Renato Granieri (Gold)

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    #31

    Highly Commended: Gábor Li – A Peek Into The Night (Birds In The Environment)

    Highly Commended: Gábor Li – A Peek Into The Night (Birds In The Environment)

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    Miss Frankfurter
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Opposite of the little penguin alone on an ice flow. Here we have alone in the desert.

    #32

    Highly Commended: Amit Vakil - Siberian Gulls Under Threat (Urban Birds)

    Highly Commended: Amit Vakil - Siberian Gulls Under Threat (Urban Birds)

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    #33

    Highly Commended: José-Elías Rodríguez – Over A Thistle Forest (Birds In Flight)

    Highly Commended: José-Elías Rodríguez – Over A Thistle Forest (Birds In Flight)

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    #34

    Highly Commended: Miquel Angel Artús Illana - Camouflage (Birds In The Environment)

    Highly Commended: Miquel Angel Artús Illana - Camouflage (Birds In The Environment)

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    #35

    Conservation Award: ‘Sentinels’ By Carla Rhodes, USA

    Conservation Award: ‘Sentinels’ By Carla Rhodes, USA

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    Miss Frankfurter
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This picture is devastating. This is what we've done. For shame. Beyond for shame.

    #36

    ‘Morning Lek’ By Levi Fitze. Young Bird Photographer Of The Year 2021

    ‘Morning Lek’ By Levi Fitze. Young Bird Photographer Of The Year 2021

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    #37

    8 And Under: ‘I See You’ By Deeksha Sambath (Gold)

    8 And Under: ‘I See You’ By Deeksha Sambath (Gold)

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    Caro Caro
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I mean, this is a fantastic photo and taken by an 8 yo or younger? Goodness what a talent these kids have.

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    #38

    Highly Commended: Basileo Stanislao – Waiting For Prey

    Highly Commended: Basileo Stanislao – Waiting For Prey

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    #39

    9-13 Years: 'Diggin' For Dinner' By Ian Henderson (Bronze)

    9-13 Years: 'Diggin' For Dinner' By Ian Henderson (Bronze)

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    Miss Frankfurter
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Using a tool. Hmm. Science once thought that's what differentiated us from animals. Now we've found so many animals who use them.

    #40

    Birds In Flight: ‘Thirsty’ By Tzahi Finkelstein (Gold)

    Birds In Flight: ‘Thirsty’ By Tzahi Finkelstein (Gold)

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    #41

    Birds In Flight: ‘The Art Of Motion’ By Nicolas Reusens (Silver)

    Birds In Flight: ‘The Art Of Motion’ By Nicolas Reusens (Silver)

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    #42

    Black And White: ‘Sur Les Roches Bretonnes’ By Nathalie Chanteau (Bronze)

    Black And White: ‘Sur Les Roches Bretonnes’ By Nathalie Chanteau (Bronze)

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    #43

    Urban Birds: ‘Dipper On Shopping Trolley’ By Terry Whittaker (Gold)

    Urban Birds: ‘Dipper On Shopping Trolley’ By Terry Whittaker (Gold)

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    #44

    Bird Behaviour: ‘The Face Of Death’ By Massimiliano Apollo (Silver)

    Bird Behaviour: ‘The Face Of Death’ By Massimiliano Apollo (Silver)

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    #45

    Creative Imagery: ‘Sprats And Bread’ By Ruediger Schulz (Gold)

    Creative Imagery: ‘Sprats And Bread’ By Ruediger Schulz (Gold)

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    #46

    9-13 Years: 'Peregrine Spoilt For Choice' By Thomas Easterbrook (Silver)

    9-13 Years: 'Peregrine Spoilt For Choice' By Thomas Easterbrook (Silver)

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    #47

    8 And Under: 'Seagull Perching' By Flynn Thaitanunde-Lobb (Bronze)

    8 And Under: 'Seagull Perching' By Flynn Thaitanunde-Lobb (Bronze)

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    #48

    8 And Under: 'Sudden Turn Of The Tern' By Filip Niziolek (Silver)

    8 And Under: 'Sudden Turn Of The Tern' By Filip Niziolek (Silver)

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    #49

    Creative Imagery: ‘Funnel’ By Kathryn Cooper (Silver)

    Creative Imagery: ‘Funnel’ By Kathryn Cooper (Silver)

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    #50

    Creative Imagery: ‘Cranes, Trains And Automobile’ By Ruth Hughes (Bronze)

    Creative Imagery: ‘Cranes, Trains And Automobile’ By Ruth Hughes (Bronze)

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