2021 Photo Contest People's Choice Award | National Wildlife Federation

National Wildlife’s 2021 Photo Contest People’s Choice Award

The National Wildlife Federation is proud to announce the People’s Choice Award winner and runners-up of the 50th annual National Wildlife^® Photo Contest. “It’s always a thrill to see the powerful, inspiring images submitted to our contest,” says Lisa Moore, editorial director of National Wildlife magazine. “Some photos may make you weep or wince. Others may evoke wonder, a laugh or a peaceful breath. All help illustrate the vast diversity of wild animals and the places they call home.

So, without further ado, National Wildlife’s 2021 Photo Contest People’s Choice Award Winner ...

Blue Jay
Red-headed Woodpecker
Baltimore Oriole
Common Grackle
Northern Cardinal
Red-bellied Woodpecker
European Starling
Mourning Dove
Eastern Bluebird
Ruby-throated Hummingbird

People’s Choice Award Winner
Lisa Cavanary (aka Ostdrossel), Macomb, Michigan
“Michigan Backyard Birds”

Lisa Cavanary (who goes by Ostdrossel) discovered her love for bird photography through the avian visitors to her Michigan backyard. Equipped with a “homemade” feeder photo trap using a GitUp action camera, Ostdrossel captures close-ups that she says “show the fine details as well as the behavior of the birds, revealing the beauty but also hilarity of more common as well as surprise visitors.” By setting out her camera every day, not only does she revel in the interactions of her backyard visitors, but she also uses the data to monitor migration patterns and behaviors. “As an immigrant from Germany,” Ostdrossel notes, “becoming a birdwatcher in the United States has helped me getting to know my newly chosen home country more and also opened a whole new world of amazing discoveries that has not ceased to fascinate me.”

People’s Choice Award Runners-up

Peoples’ Choice Award Runner-up
Steve Pressman, Pembroke Pines, Florida
“A Tender Moment”

While on a trekking safari in Uganda to observe gorillas in their native habitat, Steve Pressman recalls the moment when he spotted a male Silverback gorilla sitting under a tree. “This baby came along and cuddled up next to him and appeared as if the male was giving the little guy a kiss. I found out afterwards that it was an orphaned baby that the male ‘took to.’ Otherwise, it might have been a whole different scenario.”

Peoples’ Choice Award Runner-up
Sreekumar Valiathan, Chittethukara, Kerala, India
“Malabar Trogon”

During a visit to Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary in Kerala, India, Sreekumar Valiathan spotted a brightly-colored male Malabar trogon. The bird, he says, was calling and “looking around for his mate.”

Peoples’ Choice Award Runner-up
Josiah Kilburn, Castle Rock Colorado
“Grapevine Beetle from Zilker Botanical Garden”

And finally, Josiah Kilburn is our People’s Choice favorite in the Young Nature Photographer category, open to photographers age 13-17 and offered in partnership with Eco-Schools USA. While visiting the Zilker Botanical Garden in Austin, Texas, Kilburn found this grapevine beetle roaming around logs. “This work” he says, “was inspired by the cute looking antennae that Scarab beetles possess.”