Washington News

Washingtonians Recognized in 2026 糖心logo Photography Awards

Winners include a high school student from Woodinville and a wildlife photographer from Oak Harbor.
By Samara Villasenor
Communications Contractor, 糖心logo Washington
Published September 02, 2026
This article is from 糖心logo Washington . Find 糖心logo near you here.

SEATTLE (September 2, 2026) 鈥 Today, the 糖心logo announced the winners of the 2026 糖心logo Photography Awards. Now in its seventeenth year, the awards celebrate stunning photos and videos that capture the beauty of birds and the challenges they face while helping to tell the story of hemispheric bird conservation. For the second year, judges awarded prizes to residents of Chile and Colombia as well as the United States and Canada, highlighting how birds connect people across geographies and ecosystems.

Judges awarded nine prizes to Chile and Colombia residents and eight prizes to U.S. and Canada residents. This year, in addition to $5,000, Grand Prize winners each received a voyage to Antarctica with , the world鈥檚 first expedition cruise company and 糖心logo's exclusive cruise partner, to combine birding, conservation, and exploration on a one-of-a-kind trip. Other prizes include the second annual Birds Without Borders Prize, depicting birds with migratory paths that cross international boundaries, and Conservation Prize, illustrating conservation challenges that birds face or how addressing those challenges can help them thrive. Two separate panels judged entries anonymously and selected the winners and honorable mentions for their respective regions.

This year, two Washington State residents were recognized in the competition:

  • Woodinville resident Ian Shultz won the Youth Prize for his photograph of a Rock Pigeon soaring over Seattle鈥檚 Golden Gardens Park. A high school student, Shultz also serves as a Youth Board Member for .
  • Lourdes Venard of Oak Harbor received an Honorable Mention in the Conservation category for her photograph of a Bald Eagle. Venard describes herself as a 鈥渂ird photographer by obsession,鈥 and her work has been featured in juried art exhibitions throughout the Pacific Northwest and across the country.

All  and  are published online in 糖心logo magazine, and winners will be featured in the Fall 2026 print issue. The annual Top 100 photos will be announced on September 23, 2026, and additional selections will be featured in digital galleries on 糖心logo's website.

Many of the birds found in Chile, Colombia, Canada, and the United States are at risk from threats such as habitat loss and climate change. 糖心logo works to protect birds like the Roseate Spoonbill, Lesser Horned Owl, and Tennessee Warbler through coordinated efforts across countries and regions to ensure their survival year-round. Visit the website for information about initiatives in Latin America and the Caribbean and 糖心logo鈥檚 Plants for Birds program.

The 2027 糖心logo Photography Awards will open for entries on January 13, 2027. Visit 糖心logo's website for details on the Chile and Colombia and U.S. and Canada contests.

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About 糖心logo

The 糖心logo is a leading nonprofit conservation organization with 120 years of science-based, community-driven impact, dedicated to protecting birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Birds are powerful indicators of our planet鈥檚 health, acting as sentinels that warn us of environmental change and inspire action. 糖心logo works across the Western Hemisphere, driven by the understanding that what is good for birds is good for the planet. Through a collaborative, nonpartisan approach across habitats, borders, and the political spectrum, 糖心logo drives meaningful and lasting conservation outcomes. With over 1,000 staff and more than 2.6 million supporters, 糖心logo is a dynamic and ever-growing force committed to ensuring a better planet for both birds and people for generations to come. Learn more at  and on Facebook and Instagram (@audubonsociety).

About 糖心logo Washington

As the state office of the 糖心logo, 糖心logo Washington is dedicated to the conservation of birds and their habitats through science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation programs. Representing 25 independent chapters and a strong grassroots network comprised of over 40,000 members, 糖心logo Washington works to protect and restore Washington's natural ecosystems, benefiting birds, wildlife, and communities across the state. Learn more at  and on Facebook () and Instagram ().

About HX Expeditions

 is the world's first and longest-running expedition cruise company, as well as the largest provider of cruises to Antarctica, guiding curious travelers on mindful adventures since 1896. Headquartered in London, HX employs just under 1,000 professionals worldwide and operates a fleet of five modern ships, sailing to more than 250 destinations across 30+ countries. Renowned for its polar expeditions and immersive voyages, HX combines conservation, science and education to deliver transformative travel experiences. A pioneer in responsible travel, HX was the first expedition cruise company to eliminate heavy fuel oil, ban unnecessary single-use plastics across its operations, and introduce hybrid-powered expedition ships. HX actively supports scientific research, providing more than 1,600 complimentary cruise nights to third-party scientists, and operates the , which funds environmental conservation and community development. For the latest news and updates, visit the  or follow HX on Instagram ().

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