Jose Elias Rodriguez captures a striking scene in a mural-studded landscape, pairing an ordinary airplane with art in a mural in Alange, Badajoz. The image was awarded second prize in the XV Fotoaves 2022 Contest, organized with support from SEO/BirdLife, and is showcased alongside four second prize winners and eleven finalists who contributed to the 2023 NGO solidarity calendar now on sale.
The Fotoaves contest, active since 2007, spotlights bird photography that reveals the beauty and everyday lives of birds. It welcomes participants from across the globe, both professionals and amateurs, to share visual stories of avian life.
A total of 600 photographs from 12 countries entered the competition. This edition distributed 2,000 Euros in prize money. The awards ceremony took place at the XXV Spanish Ornithological Congress in Mahón, Menorca.
“Martin House”
The winning image by Jose Elias Rodriguez showcases a common airplane gliding past a mural in Alange, a scene that instantly invites the eye and challenges perception. The jury noted that in bird photography it is rare to deliver a shot that both surprises viewers and conveys a message. The image functions like a trompe l’oeil, initially misread as something else, while simultaneously illustrating a subtle link between birds and human settlements. The entry stood out amid hundreds of submissions.
“Walking on the Wild”
Mano Aliczki earned praise for the low-angle perspective and precise framing that encircle a grey heron’s silhouette. The hazy atmosphere enhances the subject, giving the photograph a street-photography vibe while preserving the animal’s elegance. The jury highlighted how the background recedes to make the bird the focal point, and how the scene demonstrates a bird coexisting within a human-modified environment.
“Autumn”
Andres Miguel Dominguez captured a seemingly ordinary kingfisher in a moment that transcends gadgetry and technique. The image honors the traditional idea of photography as writing with light. The color palette and composition evoke a timeless memory, and the jury emphasized the purity of the moment as a reminder of photography’s roots.
“Marine textures”
Daniel Lopez Velasco presents a composition featuring Sabine gulls breeding along the Galician coast and into the high Arctic. The calm water creates an abstract, silky texture that draws the gaze. Even without the gulls, the pattern of waves and sky forms a tranquil, almost meditative scene that guides the viewer through the image.
“Dancer”
The photo captures a razor-billed auk on Hornøya, Norway, with a beauty that lies in the details. The exposure carefully renders feather textures in light and shadow, and the narrow framing preserves the bird’s motion and line. The jury praised the technical finesse and the expressive quality of the pose.
Several finalists were also recognized: Juan Cuetos, Jose Manuel Grandío, Eduardo Blanco Mendizábal, Marc Albiac (two entries), Rubén Cebrián Alonso, Jaume Caselles Ripoll, Dani Salgado, Joaquín Figueredo González (contest winner 2018), Daniel López Velasco, and Miguel P. Ramos (winner 2021). A sample of those entries includes titles such as mysterious morning by Edward White, Herd by Juan Cuetos, spring color by Marc Albiac, and among purple by Ruben Cebrian. Each finalist contributed a distinctive story of birds and their environments, reflecting the breadth of talent in contemporary avian photography.
Participation requirements for the contest are strict: fabrications, use of live bait, photomontages, artificial backgrounds, or birds kept in captivity are not accepted, with exceptions for nest photos outlined in the rules. The Fotoaves 2023 call has already opened, inviting new submissions and continued exploration of birds in their natural settings.
As part of the broader initiative, the NGO issues a calendar for 2023 to celebrate bird photography and raise awareness about bird conservation. For those interested in quantities and availability, inquiries are addressed through the organization’s environmental department in a manner consistent with privacy and contact guidelines. Marked citations accompany this article to acknowledge the original source of the achievements and context for readers seeking further details.
In summary, the Fotoaves competition blends art and science, inviting viewers to notice the delicate ties between birds and human landscapes. It underscores that great wildlife photography can be both a visual delight and a thoughtful statement about coexistence in shared spaces.