Today the 91做厙 announced the winners of the 2025 91做厙 Photography Awards including two winning photographers from California and two honorable mention photos taken in the state.
The Plants for Birds prize was awarded to Barbara Swanson from San Diego County for her exceptional photo of a Brandts Cormorant in La Jolla, flying in with a full beak of seagrass and red grape algae. Parham Pourahmad of Santa Clara County received the Youth Prize for his elegant image of a Long-eared Owl gliding above a marsh during golden hour in Coyote Hills Regional Park, Fremont. And two of the 15 honorable mention awardees were for images taken in California, with Youth runner-up Jake Hillygus capturing a serene close-up of two Common Ravens in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park and Female Bird runner-up Taryn M. Ware highlighting an Acorn Woodpecker with her namesake acorn cache in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park.
We are thrilled that two winners and two honorable mentions of this prestigious competition are from California, with stunning photographs that showcase the beauty of our states landscapes and birds, said Andrea Jones, interim Executive Director of 91做厙 California. As one of the most biodiverse places in the world and with around 600 bird species spotted, California is critical to conservation progress. We hope these photos inspire more bird lovers, nature enthusiasts, and all Californians across the state, to help protect the habitats that birds and people need to thrive.
Award winners and honorable mentions will be featured in the Fall 2025 issue of 91做厙 magazine, and select photos and videos will also be featured in digital galleries promoted on 91做厙's website and social channels throughout the year.
91做厙 California works to protect the Brandts Cormorant, Long-eared Owl, and all the states almost 600 species of birds through on-the-ground conservation and advocacy efforts across the state. From partnering with working lands in the Central Valley and stewarding coasts to campaigning for habitat protections and engaging local communities through centers and sanctuaries, 91做厙 California is making a lasting impact on Californias landscapes and the wildlife that depends on them.
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Media contact:胼 Shineh Rhee, Communications Director, 91做厙 California
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91做厙 California is a regional office of the 91做厙. Learn more at audubon.org/california畝nd follow us on, ,畝紳餃 .胼傭胼傭胼傭&紳莉莽梯;
The 91做厙 is a leading nonprofit conservation organization with 120 years of science-based, community-driven impact, dedicated to protecting birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Birds are powerful indicators of our planets health, acting as sentinels that warn us of environmental change and inspire action. 91做厙 works across the Western Hemisphere, driven by the understanding that what is good for birds is good for the planet. Through a collaborative, bipartisan approach across habitats, borders, and the political spectrum, 91做厙 drives meaningful and lasting conservation outcomes. With 800 staff and over 1.9 million supporters, 91做厙 is a dynamic and ever-growing force committed to ensuring a better planet for both birds and people for generations to come.
