The Birds of the World Challenge 2025
We’re excited to share our highly commended, runner-up, and winning images selected for the Birds of the World category in the 2025 Pangolin Photo Challenge, along with the camera settings used to capture these incredible shots!
Missed the Birds of the World finalists video?
In case you missed it, here are the finalists from which the images below were chosen.
The Birds of the World Challenge was judged by
Highly Commended
Love in the Air, by Patryk Kurc (Poland)
“A pair of red-necked grebes courting. Taken this morning at sunrise from a float. I had the pleasure of observing these birds for three years, as they returned annually to a nearby pond to raise their family.” – Patryk
Highly Commended
Guardians of the Lagoon, by Laurie Chinn (Canada)
Canon EOS R7 with a RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM
f/4.6 | 1/1000 | 159 mm | ISO 100
“Ice drifts quietly across Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon as seabirds keep watch and rest along it’s sculpted edges. The scene captures a moment of calm within a constantly changing landscape – where ancient ice, cold water, and life coexist in delicate balance.” – Laurie
Highly Commended
Love Birds, by John Mihopulos (Germany)
CANON EOS R5 Mark II with a RF600mm F4 L IS USM + RF1.4x Extender
f/5.0 | 1/5000| 840mm | ISO 3200
“This photo has been captured in Namiri plains in the morning light.” – John
Highly Commended
Twin Pelicans, by Sharon Haasbroek (Australia)
NIKON Z8 with an NIKKOR Z180-600mm F/5.6-6.3VR
f/6.9 | 1/2500 | 600mm | ISO 2500
“These Australian pelicans decided to make the local botanic gardens their home for a few months. I arrived early one morning just as the gates were opened to the public. I watched these two pelicans gracefully and slowly moving on the lake. I took this photo just as they both turned their heads in the same direction. I decided to darken the background to give more emphasis on the pelicans and their reflection in the water. I kept them small in the image, giving the overall sense of space and quiet tranquility.” – Sharon
Highly Commended
Flowers and Birds, by Andrew Mason (USA)
NIKON Z 8 with a NIKKOR 180-600m F/5.6-6.3 VR
f/6.0 | 1/1250 | 600 mm | ISO 5000
“Here is a boring old Song Sparrow nestled amongst the beautiful lupine.” – Andrew
Highly Commended
Early Morning Breakfast, by Fred Bisschop (Netherlands)
CANON E0S R5 with an RF 100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM = RF2x Extender
f/5 | 1/2000 | 561 mm | ISO 800
“The black terns are busy feeding their chicks from the very early morning.” – Fred
Highly Commended
Tiptoeing Through the Tulips, by Lourdes Venard (USA)
CANON E0S R10 with a Tamron SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 lens
f/6.3| 1/1000 | 500 mm | ISO 320
“A savannah sparrow, perched on a tulip in a field of tulips, sings an early-morning song.” – Lourdes
Highly Commended
VIP-seat, by Maarten Smet (Belgium)
Canon EOS R3 with an RF24–70mm F2.8 L IS USM
f/7.6 | 1/2500 | 61 mm | ISO 1000
“This Egret seems to have the VIP-seat on the back of an elephant with a view of Mount Kilimanjaro” – Maarten
Runner Up
I Spy, by Gordon Ford (United Kingdom)
Canon EOS R5m2 with an RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM
f/5.0 | 1/2000 | 343 mm | ISO 5000
“A common pigeon taken as it flew from a fence towards me.” – Gordon
Our Challenge Winner is
Black Tern, by Arkadiusz Dobrowolski (Poland)
NIKON Z 9 with a NIKKOR Z400mm F2.8 L TC VR S
f/3.0 | 1/4000 | 400 mm | ISO 400
“Black turn feeding chicks with dragonfly larvae.” – Arkadiusz
Congratulations, Arkadiusz, on the well-deserved win!
You have won a 6-night stay for one person at The Pangolin Chobe Hotel or a $2,000 voucher to put towards any Pangolin Photo Safari including the ones detailed below!
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