We have included the Photos of the Month (2009-2019 September) in our recently published book Florida Birds Exposed, Pelican Island Audubon Society Photos of the Month, Introducing Florida’s Birds by Juanita Baker, Ph.D.
Birds (we humans too) survive and depend upon food sources—the essential basis is native plants which produce seeds, fruits, leaves or berries that draw insects and other animals that thrive on the native plants. PIAS’s dynamic saving our planet programs focuses on planting trees and native plants for sustainable living (Trees for Life, Plants for Birds, and Plants for Ponds). Thus, new emphasis is on Birds Need Plants monthly contest: high quality Florida bird photographs that demonstrate relationship to habitat—plants, insects, animals, natural foods. Notice to all photographers: for COVID-19 we are waiving requiring membership to submit photographs and are expanding the number of photos (3) allowable to be submitted.
The information in essays for each photograph are written consulting The Cornell University Laboratory scientifically based articles on each bird species, The Birds of North America (BNA), https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/home. The BNA series was produced as a collaborative effort of the American Ornithology Union, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and Academy of Natural Sciences. Much credit goes to each of the authors and many scientists have done and published the research. Please subscribe to the The Birds of North America if you want more in-depth information on any bird species.
Pelican Island Audubon Society Birds Need Plants Photo Contest! Please enter your photographs for this month!
The PIAS mission encourages education and public awareness of our natural environment. We want members to get involved and out in nature to observe, take bird photos, learn about specific birds that are selected, and appreciate and understand good bird photography. PIAS encourages strong advocacy to preserve and protect our natural Florida.
Instructions for PIAS Birds Need Plants Photo Contest
- Each month you can submit up to 3 photos for the Birds Need Plants Contest with emphasis on birds pursuing, consuming, using plants, or near plants and prey. To submit a photo for this month, the deadline is the last day of the month.
- A Florida bird must be pictured in your photograph (priority to action shots with or pursuing, using plant, food sources, habitat, and that demonstrate relationship to plants, insects, animals, natural foods).
- The photo must be taken in Florida.
- A photographer may submit 3 digital images per month.
- A photographer will submit only photographs that have never won an earlier award in any contest or exhibit anywhere.
- PIAS requests that you provide the highest resolution possible of your jpg digital images.
- Deadline: The last day of the month
- Email to piaudubon@yahoo.com
If PIAS receives your digital image after the deadline (last day of the month), it will automatically be submitted for the following month’s PIAS Bird Photo of the Month.
You will be notified by email of receipt for which month.
Please provide this information with your photograph:
- Photographer’s full name
- Email address (if you have one)
- Home address
- Telephone
- Date photograph was taken
- Place photograph was taken
- Camera
- Len(s) used, if applicable
- Settings used: ISO, mm, shutter speed/sec, aperture size, f/stop
- Bird(s), plant, other animal identification (but we can help you with this if unknown)
- Title of photo
- Any alteration of the original photograph
- Other remarks
Birds should remain undisturbed, whether resting, feeding or caring for nestlings when you photograph birds. Wildlife does not exist for our personal pleasure; it is simply trying to survive. Do not feed the birds, use audio means to call the birds to you, or disturb them to take a picture of their fleeing. Your photograph may be disqualified if we judge you obtained your photograph by disturbing the bird. Please do not submit nest photos unless you are on a boardwalk or established trail, or using telephoto lenses at a distance.
National Audubon requests photographers: “When photographing birds it is essential to avoid disturbing them. When you’re trying to get close-ups, be sure to watch the bird’s behavior. You will quickly learn to recognize signs of nervousness, and when you see those signs, you should back off. Do not flush birds (that is, disturb them and make them fly)—either your subject or other birds near your subject. Nest photography is especially delicate. Be sure not to keep the parents away from the nest during incubation or the feeding of nestlings, and do not move or remove anything near the nest—camouflage is key to success for most bird nests.”
Please follow the American Birding Association’s Birding Code of Ethics, see: http://www.aba.org/about/ethics.html
Your photograph along with an essay on your bird in the monthly column written by the coordinator of the Photo-of-the-Month will be published in the Peligram.
Unbiased judging. The photograph is submitted anonymously by the PIAS office administrator to the Photo-of-the-month committee, no photographer’s name or information is visible. After the selection of the photograph, you will be informed of the selection and eventually invited to the monthly PIAS meeting for presentation and announcement of the award to you.
If there are any questions, please call the PIAS office:Phone: 772-567-3520 – Office hours: M-F 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.or email PIAudubon@yahoo.com