Call For Entries For ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Magazine Photography Awards: Birds In Focus

³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ magazine is launching the 2009 ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Magazine Photography Awards: Birds in Focus, to celebrate the beauty and diversity of birdlife through the art of photography, and to honor the exceptional work of talented professional, amateur and youth photographers from all over the U.S. 

³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ will be accepting submissions online from May 15 until July 15 in three categories: Professional, Amateur, and Youth. 

Photographers are encouraged to reveal a new angle or perspective in their work. "Think creatively," advises ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ's design director Kevin Fisher, one of the judges. "Originality and drama rank high at ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ. Include tight shots, such as close-ups of eyes, feathers. We welcome uncommon perspectives." 

Other judges include renowned wildlife photographer Joel Sartore, a regular contributor to ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ and National Geographic; Kim Hubbard, longtime ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ photography editor and an accomplished photographer in her own right whose work featuring the birds of Bonaire is currently on exhibit at the Greenwich (CT) ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Center; and Steve Freligh, publisher of Nature's Best Photography.

The Award winners will be announced in December and will see their work showcased within the pages of both ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ and Nature's Best Photography magazines, as well as on their respective websites. An impressive array of prizes will be awarded, including top-of-the-line photo and optic equipment from award sponsor, Nikon. Prizes include:

• Journey to Peru's Tambopata National Reserve (Inkaterra Amazonica Lodge)
• An ultimate birding safari to Australia's "Top End," the Northern Territory
• 14-day Tropical Rivers and Rainforest cruise through South America (Travel Dynamics International)
• Opportunity to travel to Honduras with ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ wildlife photographer Roy Toft as your photographer/guide (Roy Toft Photo Safaris and Pico Bonito Lodge)
• A Nikon D80 digital SLR camera, 18-55mm NIKKOR VR lens, and a set of Nikon EDG 8x32 binoculars

Submissions: Accepted May 15 - July 15, 2009. Up to 10 images per entrant. For details, visit

³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ magazine, the flagship publication of the ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ, has been connecting people with nature for over 100 years, and has been recognized with an impressive number of photography, design and editorial awards, including:

ASME National Magazine Award Finalist: General Excellence
ASME National Magazine Award Finalist: Design
Communications Arts Photography Award of Excellence
American Photography Award
Photo District news (PDN) Award
Ozzie Platinum Awards for Photography

IMAGE: Award Logo and ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Magazine cover images available. 

More about the magazine at  

For questions about the awards or entering photoawards@audubon.org