A Chilean photographer won the Grand Prize at the Audubon Photography Awards 2026 for a rare tucúquere image captured in Paposo, Antofagasta, with the award including US$5,000 and an Antarctic expedition.
Francisco Castro, a Chilean photographer from Antofagasta, secured the Grand Prize at the Audubon Photography Awards 2026 for a striking image of a tucúquere, the largest owl in Chile, taken at dawn in Paposo. The award, part of the National Audubon Society’s international competition, highlights the species’ elusive nature and the biodiversity of the coastal desert region.
A Decade-Long Chase for the Elusive Tucúquere
Castro, a maintenance technician at Antofagasta Airport, spent years searching for the tucúquere with his photography group Aves del Norte Grande. We were looking for the tucúquere for a long time, he said, recounting how the team traversed Antofagasta’s regions before finally spotting the bird in Paposo. The image, captured on a Sony A7IV, shows the owl. The Something told me this photo would give me something in the future, Castro added, reflecting on the moment he reviewed the shot.
The Reserva Nacional Paposo, located in the Taltal commune, is a critical habitat for species like the tucúquere. Castro emphasized the area’s ecological importance, noting that
Castro noted that, considering the amount of diversity, both in fauna and flora, it is a territory that could be threatened. There are many species of cacti that are also exposed to extractivism and ultimately end up being sold abroad.
The Audubon Awards, which recognize photography that showcases avian beauty and conservation challenges, spotlighted Castro’s work as a testament to both artistry and environmental advocacy.
Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026: A Record-Breaking Competition
Separately, the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 competition, organized by the Natural History Museum in London, announced its shortlisted images, with over 65,000 entries—described as record-breaking
by the jury. Kathy Moran, the jury chair, remarked,
Kathy Moran stated that every year she thinks the entries to their competition can’t get any stronger… and every year she is proven wrong.
The exhibition, set to open on October 16, includes a polar bear gazing at a seal’s breathing hole, a rhino and oxpecker, and a leopard chasing a squirrel in Botswana’s Okavango Delta.
The competition’s winners will be revealed on October 13 at a London ceremony, with category winners and the prestigious Grand Title awarded. The event underscores the global reach of wildlife photography, with entries from 121 countries. Aol’s coverage highlighted the Highly Commended
images, including a swift’s flight mirrored by a plane at Heathrow and a chameleon battling a Namib Desert storm.
Chilean Success in International Photography Competitions
Castro was not the only Chilean to earn recognition in 2026. Nicolás Muñoz won the Video Prize for an albatross footage, while Rodrigo González and Timothy Dhalleine claimed awards for their bird imagery. The Audubon competition, which awarded nine Chilean and Colombian participants, aims to highlight the beauty of birds and the challenges they face, according to the National Audubon Society. The winners’ works will be featured in the autumn 2026 issue of Audubon magazine.
The Intersection of Art, Science, and Conservation
The 2026 photography awards highlight the convergence of artistic vision and scientific documentation. For Castro, the tucúquere photo represents both a personal milestone and a call to protect Chile’s fragile ecosystems.
Moran stated that these images pave the way for a deepened appreciation and commitment to our natural world.
said Moran, reflecting on the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.
As the winners’ works go on display, the events reinforce the power of visual storytelling to inspire conservation efforts. For Castro, the recognition is a validation of years of dedication.
Castro stated that to this day, he believes that if it’s not the best, it is one of the best that he has taken in all these years.
he said, holding onto the hope that his image will contribute to the tucúquere’s survival.