The annual Birds and Blooms photo contest showcases stunning images of birds and flowers captured by amateur photographers across the country. With thousands of entries submitted each year, the competition is fierce. Only a select few photos are chosen as winners in categories like Backyard Habitat, Bird Behavior, Macro/Close Up, Bird in Flight, and the prestigious Best in Show. The winners are announced each May and awarded cash prizes along with bragging rights. The contest provides a platform for nature photography enthusiasts to gain recognition for their work. With spring in full bloom, interest grows in who will take top honors this year.
Contest History
The Birds and Blooms photo contest was started in 1998 by the editors of Birds and Blooms magazine. As the magazine’s readership grew over the years, so did the number of contest submissions. The first year saw 500 entries, while recent contests draw over 10,000 images. The 2008 contest set a record with 12,328 entries according to the magazine’s website. Birds and Blooms credits social media for the explosion in interest and participation. With the help of Facebook and Instagram, more people discover and enter the competition each year.
Judging Process
Submissions for the Birds and Blooms photo contest open on January 1st each year. The deadline for entry is March 15th. Photographers can submit up to 10 images total across the different categories. The judges first select 150 finalists which are announced on April 1st. Out of these finalists, the top place winners are chosen for each category. A special judging panel consisting of professional photographers, birding experts, and previous contest winners determines the Best in Show image. The panel spends weeks deliberating before finalizing the winners.
Prizes
The photographer behind the Best in Show image receives a grand prize of $1000. First place winners in the individual categories take home $500. Honorable mention winners get $250. In addition to the cash awards, the winning photos are featured prominently in the July/August collector’s edition of Birds and Blooms magazine. This provides great exposure for the photographers. The magazine has over 1.5 million subscribers according to a 2020 media kit. Winning images also appear on merchandise in the Birds and Blooms online store. Photographers earn royalties from any items sold such as calendars, mugs, prints and greeting cards emblazoned with their photos. This provides additional financial incentives beyond the contest prizes.
Notable Winners
Many talented nature photographers have taken home top honors over the years. Here are some memorable winners:
- In 2012, Susan Glass from Michigan won Best in Show with a stunning photo of a great egret hunting for food while balancing on a branch overhanging water.
- The 2014 contest awarded Best in Show to Glen Bartley from Washington for his dramatic image of an osprey swooping down with its talons outstretched towards the water.
- In 2016, amateur photographer Peter Elston from New Mexico made a big impression by earning both Best in Show and first place in the Backyard Habitat category.
- Just last year, Sandra Lim from California took home the top prize for her breathtaking capture of a ruby-throated hummingbird visiting a bright red hibiscus flower.
These are just a few of the many talented winners over the years. It will be exciting to see who joins this elite group in the current contest.
2021 Contest Stats
The most recent Birds and Blooms photo contest wrapped up in May 2021. Here are some key stats:
Number of entries
13,542 total submissions
Categories
- Backyard Habitat – 2,799 entries
- Bird Behavior – 3,021 entries
- Birds in Flight – 1,856 entries
- Macro/Close Up – 3,944 entries
- Open Category – 1,922 entries
Winning photographers
| Category | Photographer | Photo subject |
|---|---|---|
| Best in Show | Sandra Lim | Ruby-throated hummingbird |
| Backyard Habitat | Michael Sams | Goldfinches at feeder |
| Bird Behavior | Mark Stevens | House wrens building a nest |
| Birds in Flight | Cindy Simon | Northern harrier gliding |
| Macro/Close Up | Chris Fisher | Anna’s hummingbird perched |
| Open Category | Katie Andrews | Chickadees on snowy branch |
2022 Contest Outlook
In just a few months, the 2022 Birds and Blooms photo contest will kick off. Here is what we know so far:
- The contest opens for submissions on January 1st as always.
- There is no end date in sight for the competition.
- New categories may be added to keep things fresh.
- The grand prize will be at least $1000 for Best in Show.
- Photos will be judged on technical quality, originality, composition, and how well they represent the assigned category.
- A special 25th anniversary edition collector’s issue of Birds and Blooms will feature the winners.
- Social media buzz and anticipation continues to build leading up to entry deadline.
- Will past winners defend their titles or will new faces claim victory?
The next Birds and Blooms photo contest is sure to dazzle. Nature photography fans eagerly await the chance to enter their best work. While the winners have yet to be determined, one thing is certain – birds and blooms will take center stage once again.
Conclusion
For a quarter century, the Birds and Blooms photo contest has celebrated the splendor of nature photography. The competition draws thousands of entries each year from shutterbugs across North America hoping to gain acclaim for their images of birds and flowers. Contest participation has soared thanks to social media, but the judging process remains a careful, deliberate undertaking. Winners are gifted with cash prizes, fame, and exposure for their photographic skills. Past champions have produced truly memorable bird and bloom portraits over the years. With the 2022 contest fast approaching, the field is wide open for a new class of winners. The next Best in Show image could come from anyone inspired by the beauty of our avian and botanical friends. When the feathers fly and petals unfold, the Birds and Blooms photo contest will faithfully capture it all.
