Our favourite Nikon images from the Bird Photographer of the Year competition
The Heron in the Palms
YARON SCHMID
Black and White – Silver Award
Among Samburu’s most distinctive features are its doum palms (Hyphaene thebaica). While moving away from the river, I noticed a black-headed heron perched on one of the palm tree branches and asked the guide to stop so I could capture a minimalistic image using a smaller lens.
Camera: Nikon D850
Lens: Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8
Exposure: 1/640 sec, f/7.1, ISO560
Blue-Footed Fishing Dive
HENLEY SPIERS
Bird Behaviour – Silver Award
In early autumn, a sardine shoal at Los Islotes, Mexico, attracted seabird predators. Amid the shoal, I waited patiently for the elusive shot of a blue-footed booby rising with a sardine in its beak. Finally, a crash came down close to me, and I instinctively captured the moment.
Camera: Nikon D850
Lens: Nikon 28-70mm f/3.5-4.5
Exposure: 1/250 sec, f/13, ISO500
The Dance of the Shadows
CLÉMENT CORNEC
Birds in the Environment – Silver Award
The Emperor Penguin breeds during winter in Antarctica, the coldest environment on Earth. It endures temperatures as low as -40°C during the long polar nights and 250kph blizzards. Adaptations allow it to maintain body temperature and conserve energy.
Camera: Nikon D7100
Lens: Nikon 16-300mm f/3.5-6.3
Exposure: 1/640 sec, f/13, ISO100
Common Nighthawk in Flight
RICHARD SANCHEZ
Birds in Flight – Bronze Award
At 10am, a barn owl appeared before us and we followed it to a crop field where it began hunting. Nearby, several cooperative common nighthawks circled around our vehicle.
I captured a perfect shot of them in flight, though it was partly a matter of luck.
Camera: Nikon D850
Lens: Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3
Exposure: 1/2500 sec, f/6.3, ISO500
High-Key Terns
HARRY SEDIN
12-14 Years – Gold Award
In a small inlet in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden, there are terns everywhere during summer. So, one afternoon on an overcast day, I head
