Capturing an Olibird in flight "inside its sanctuary of shadows was a test of patience and technique," explains wildlife photographer Faber Mosquera Álvarez.
Now the image that cost him nerves and pain has been announced as the category winner in Birds in Landscapes, Colombia, at the prestigious Audubon Photography Awards.
"I knew the lighting conditions in the cavern would be critical, so I went ahead of the group I was with, crossing a rushing river to find the perfect angle without disturbing the area," he says to Audubon magazine.
Álvarez increased the light sensitivity of his APS-C DSLR and selected a fast shutter speed of 1/250 sec to freeze the birds' movement.
He adds, "As my companions caught up with me, the cave came alive in an explosion of fluttering wings. I had a nasty fall on the river rocks on my return trip, but my knee pain vanished when I saw this image," explains Álvarez.
Winner: Birds in Landscapes, Colombia
Contest: Chile and Colombia
Species: Oilbird
Location: Cañón de los Guácharos, Quindío, Colombia
Gear: Nikon D500 + Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM | C
Exposure: 1/1250 sec, f/5; ISO 8000
Judge’s Take (Sebastian Herzog)
"Taking sharp, captivating photos of birds in flight requires a lot of experience and skill, but capturing a primarily nocturnal bird inside a cave without using a flash is on another level!
"This photo stands out for its technically complex execution, which freezes the Oilbird in mid-flight and allows us to discern all the details of its plumage, despite lighting conditions far from ideal. It offers us a rare glimpse into the dark home of this enigmatic species."
The Audubon Photography Awards
This is a competition celebrating photographers who use their skills to highlight the beauty, challenges and threats facing birds across Chile, Colombia, Canada and the United States. You can explore all 2026 winning images here.
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