2026 Puget Sound Bird Fest Photo Contest Winners
Cover photo: Rhinoceros Auklet by Charvet Drucker
Puget Sound Bird Fest brings people together around a shared love of birds, and nothing shows that better than the photo contest. Birders and photographers from across the region turned their lenses on the wild beauty of the Puget Sound region for this year's contest. With photos ranging from Rhinoceros Auklets to Bushtits, the entries showcased the incredible diversity of birdlife in our area.
This year, 99 photographers — from seasoned professionals to young naturalists just getting started — submitted images that stopped us in our tracks. Our volunteer judges worked tirelessly to quickly judge each photo, and with 482 public votes in the People's Choice categories, we're thrilled to share the results!
Thank you to everyone who submitted photos and to everyone who voted for their favorites!
Thank you to our photography contest sponsors this year!
Adult Division
Juried contest - selected by panel of judges
1st Place - Jumi Harris
“Ducks in a Row”
Mallards
2nd Place - Sharon Wada
“Little Diva”
Savanna Sparrow
3rd Place - Mitch Paine
“Oystercatcher at Sunset”
Black Oystercatcher
Honorable Mentions
Youth Division
Juried contest - selected by panel of judges
1st place - Nadia Weidner
“Fluffy and Fluffier”
Red-winged Blackbird
2nd Place - Liam Schwabe
“Floating Free”
American Coot
3rd Place - Simon Davies
“Pigeon Pigeon Boat”
Rock Pigeon
People’s Choice Awards
Voted on by the public
Adult Division - Kristin Raught
“Plumes at Dusk”
Great Blue Heron
Youth Division - Liam Schwabe
“The Watcher”
Barred Owl
Honorable Mentions
Congratulations to all our winners and honorable mentions, and thank you to everyone who entered, voted, and helped make this year's contest such a celebration of the birds and landscapes we're working to protect. If this year's photos have you inspired to pick up your camera — or your binoculars — we hope to see you at Puget Sound Bird Fest next year.
In the meantime, consider joining Pilchuck Audubon as a member to stay connected with the birding community right here in Snohomish County and Camano Island.