Editor’s note: Call to Earth is a CNN editorial series dedicated to reporting on the environmental challenges facing our planet and their solutions. Rolex’s Perpetual Planet Initiative has partnered with CNN to promote awareness and education on key sustainability issues and inspire positive action.
Northern gannets can dive into the water at speeds in excess of 80 miles per hour. That’s faster than an Olympic diver can jump from a height of 10 meters. But British photographer Henry Spiers was able to capture the moment a gannet breaks the sea surface in Scotland’s Shetland Islands, earning him the title of Bird Photographer of the Year in 2026.
“Even in summer, sunny skies are not guaranteed in this remote British archipelago,” Spiers told CNN. “So when the sun’s orb appeared out of the water, my creative engine kicked in. I imagined a shot of a booby diving straight through the middle of it, and dedicated the entire dive to capturing that single frame.”
“Boobies dove all around me, but I refused to get distracted and kept my camera pointed at the sun. After a long wait, I finally saw the boobies dive into the perfect spot and see the birds making their way beneath the sea,” he added. “The moment was fleeting.”
The winners of this year’s competition in eight different categories have also been revealed. Among them was 16-year-old Paraham Pouramad from the United States, who won the Best Young Bird Photographer award for photographing a great eagle owl in the shadow of a full moon.
Will Nichols, director of Bird Photographer of the Year, said in a statement: “In a world where AI-generated images are becoming increasingly common, this year’s winners are a powerful reminder of the value of authenticity.”
“Every image in the contest represents a real moment in nature, earned through patience, dedication and a true connection with nature,” he added. “People always appreciate real stories told by real people, and this year’s stunning photos celebrate the beauty, wonder, and authenticity of our natural world.”
Now in its 11th year, the contest celebrates the best bird photography from around the world while also supporting conservation efforts.
This year, the company donated more than £5,000 ($6,700) to Birds on the Brink, a charity that provides grants to grassroots bird conservation efforts around the world.
In an interview with CNN, Nichols said that in addition to financial support, powerful images play an important role in raising awareness and protecting the birds. “Without public support, conservation efforts often fail,” he says.
“Our competition promotes bird awareness by introducing people to the ecology of the planet’s wide variety of birds and providing a real connection with the natural world.”
All winning images will be part of a coffee table book published by Graffeg.
