"I walked for hours through a unique desert landscape in northern Chile, where the rugged terrain traps sea mist in ravines" – Photographer's rare shot of 'the ghost of the desert' honored with major wildlife award

Great horned owl with bright yellow eyes perched on a spiny cactus branch against a blurred dark background — The rare Lesser Horned Owl was captured by wildlife photographer Francisco Castro Escobar in Chile and showcases the majestic beauty of the rare predator (Image credit: Francisco Castro Escobar)

The largest owl in Chile is often called the ghost of the desert because, as photographer Francisco Castro Escobar explains, "Seeing one is so rare that it’s like an apparition." When he spotted the owl in northern Chile, after walking for hours through the desert, he captured the bird of prey beautifully.

"In the distance, we noticed the silhouette of a bird perched among the cacti. I approached slowly without a sound, hiding behind the plants to avoid any disturbance. Once near, I was thrilled to see through my lens an imposing Lesser Horned Owl," he explains.

This rare and mystical shot has been awarded the Grand Prize in the Audubon Photography Awards – a competition honoring photographers who used their skills to highlight the beauty, challenges and threats that birds face across Chile, Colombia, Canada and the United States. You can explore all 2026 winning images here.

Grand Prize

Sony FE 200-600mm F/5.6-6.3 G OSS — Review insight: "Designed for Sony’s full-frame E-mount cameras, it picks up the baton from the prestigious FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 G Master OSS, extending the telephoto reach by 50 per cent, with virtually no compromise in all-round performance" (Image credit: Sony)

Contest: Chile and Colombia
Species: Lesser Horned Owl
Location: Paposo Natural Preserve, Antofagasta, Chile
Gear: Sony A7 IV + Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS
Exposure: 1/800 sec, f/7.1, ISO2000

Bird Lore
Until recently, this nocturnal hunter of southern South America was considered a Great Horned Owl – a species widespread from Canada and Alaska to northern Argentina. But it has a very different voice, featuring two rapid hoots followed by a guttural trill.

It’s not exclusively a desert owl, however: Like its northern relative, the Lesser Horned Owl has adapted to a variety of habitats, from scrubby forests of the high Andes to rocky canyons and lowland desert.

Judge’s Take (Sebastian Herzog)
"This photo evokes a feeling of finding an enchanted spot in the heart of Chile's natural landscape. Set against a dimly lit backdrop, the captivating gaze of this majestic owl’s intense yellow eyes stands out against its snow-white face, creating a fairy-tale atmosphere.

"Thanks to a perfectly calculated depth of field and impeccable composition, the vibrant cactus becomes an unexpected companion to the solitary protagonist. "

You might also like...

Browse the best cameras for wildlife photography and the best lenses for bird photography and wildlife.

Looking for competitions to enter? Here are 10 global photo contests now open for entries from September 2026 to February 2027.

Kim is a photographer, editor and writer with work published internationally. She holds a Master's degree in Photography and Media and was formerly Technique Editor at Digital Photographer, focusing on the art and science of photography. Kim covers everything from breaking industry news and camera gear to the stories shaping photography today. Blending technical expertise with visual insight, she explores photography's time-honored yet ever-evolving role in culture.