Cormorant earns photo honor

Paulo Olivier Hanshing's image of a Neotropic Cormorant on a Chilean rock received an Honorable Mention in the 2026 Audubon Photography Awards for its originality and three-dimensional effect.

“This image was a happy accident.”

The search for the right subject

Hanshing was drawn to rocky outcrops near Talcaruca with wind, low-angled sunlight and backlit spray creating beautiful tones. But he needed a main character to complete the scene.

“I loved the setting, but I was missing my main character.”

The moment everything aligned

When Hanshing spotted the Neotropic Cormorant perched on the rock, the composition clicked. The bird's small silhouette against the sky gave scale to the impressive landscape.

“I saw the Neotropic Cormorant perched on the rock. It all clicked.”

Retro camera captures modern award

Hanshing used a Nikon Df, a retro-styled full-frame DSLR, with a 200-500mm lens at 1/3200 sec, f/8, ISO 200 to capture the winning shot.

Why overlook common birds

Hanshing hopes his image does justice to common birds often overlooked in favor of rare sightings. The Neotropic Cormorant adapts to almost every aquatic habitat across South America.

“I hope this image does a little justice to the common birds that we often overlook.”

Judge's eye for composition

Judge Sebastian Herzog praised the striking rock formations and mist, noting the birds appear as tiny ornaments only visible on closer inspection. The backlighting created warm tones and depth.

“It is a highly original shot, captured at just the right moment at sunset.”

Audubon awards celebrate bird photography

The Audubon Photography Awards recognize photographers across Chile, Colombia, Canada and the United States who highlight bird beauty, challenges and threats through their work.