Bird Photographer of the Year 2026: Shortlisted

I'm delighted to share some fantastic news: one of my images submitted to the Bird Photographer of the Year (BPOTY) 2026 competition has been selected for inclusion in the Collection 11 competition book!

Bird Photographer of the Year is one of the most respected bird photography competitions in the world, drawing thousands of entries each year from photographers across the globe, all celebrating the beauty, behaviour and diversity of birdlife. Being selected for the printed collection means my work is recognised among the best entries from this year's competition, a genuine honour, and one I'm incredibly proud of.

The Story Behind the Image - Master of the Air

Hobbies are notoriously difficult to photograph. I spent a while tracking this bird as it weaved effortlessly through the dense vegetation, changing direction in an instant hunting dragonflys. Capturing a clear frame of a Hobby in full flight demands a lot of patience and this fleeting moment was the reward.

For only a few weeks each summer, dragonflies emerge in abundance, creating a brief window when Hobbies are at their most active. Supreme aerial hunters, they capture prey entirely on the wing using speed, precision, and instinct. Knowing this, I visited a location where Hobbies regularly hunt and soon found one in pursuit. I followed as it weaved through dense vegetation, reacting instantly to the slightest movement. Photographing a Hobby in full flight demands patience and anticipation. This moment reflects the intensity of the hunt and the mastery of a bird perfectly adapted to life in the air above wild.

Why BPOTY Matters

BPOTY was founded to celebrate bird photography and, through it, to raise awareness of bird conservation, every year the competition supports conservation causes and highlights the pressures facing bird species worldwide. Having my work featured alongside so many talented photographers, all pointing toward that same goal, makes this recognition feel especially meaningful.

Looking Ahead

Being included in Collection 11 is a brilliant way to close out this stage of the year, and it adds further momentum to what's already been a strong run of recognition in 2026. I'll share more as the Collection 11 book becomes available and I'm already looking forward to submitting again next year.

If you'd like to see more of my bird photography, you can browse my Prints shop or follow along on Instagram @rksimages and TikTok @rksimages for behind-the-scenes updates.