With mirrorless rigs now the go-to technology, many wildlife photographers these days wouldn’t sniff at a DSLR camera, especially bird photographers, who often want the fastest and sharpest kit available.
But US-based photographer Erich Podbielski has just proven that DSLR setups still have the firepower to compete with any new, shiny mirrorless, using one to recently gain an honorable mention at the 2026 Audubon Photography Awards.
With a Canon EOS 90D, a seven-year-old 32MP APS-C DSLR, extremely modest by today’s standards, and a Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD lens, Podbielski snapped the frame of a flock of brown pelicans at Oregon’s Cannon Beach.
Erich Podbielski's gear and settings
- Canon EOS 90D
- Tamron SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD
- 1/2500sec | f/5 | ISO 320
- Species: Brown Pelican
- Location: Cannon Beach, Oregon, United States
Talking to the competition organizers, Podbielski explained that he was visiting the beach, famed for its iconic pyramid-esque Haystack Rock, a year after honeymooning there with his wife, when “squadron after squadron” of brown pelicans flew low across the water.
“Mesmerized,” Brown continued roughly a mile farther along the shore, discovering the birds frolicking against the picturesque backdrop of Haystack Rock. “I positioned myself so I could capture one flock and got eye-level with the pelicans,” he explained.
“I was physically shaking after the experience: an iconic coastal species at an iconic coastal landmark, reminding us that people and birds can share the shore,” he added.
As an honorable mention in the “Birds Without Borders” category, the judges’ commented that Podbielski’s image “beautifully” showcased the movements of migratory species over long distances and connected habitats.
The Audubon Photography Awards celebrate outstanding bird photography and videography while highlighting the diversity, beauty, and conservation challenges facing birds.
Organized by the National Audubon Society, the event features multiple categories, with separate competitions for photographers in the US and Canada and in Chile and Colombia.
Jacqueline Burke was the Grand Winner in this year’s edition of the competition with her image of a roseate spoonbill at an alligator farm zoological park in Florida, US.
You might also like…
Browse the best cameras for wildlife photography and the best lenses for bird photography and wildlife.
