Spectacular Hummingbird Photo Contest Winners You Must See

Updated: Sep. 06, 2022

We received hundreds of outstanding entries in our 2022 Hummingbird Photo Contest. Check out the stunning winners!

First Mikefingar
Courtesy Mark Fingar

2022 Grand Prize

The winner of the 2022 Hummingbird Photo Contest is Mark Fingar of Yorktown, Virginia. He took this hummingbird photo one late afternoon in August, as the bird was bobbing and weaving through his backyard feeders. Discover the best perennials to grow for hummingbirds.

Second Soobaus
Courtesy Soo Baus

2022 Second Prize

Second prize goes to Soo Baus of Seattle Washington. Soo writes, “This was the very first Anna’s hummingbird nest that I photographed. I was walking on a boardwalk and decided to take an off trail. Then I discovered this nest on a holly branch.” The photo was taken with a Nikon d500 and a 200-500 mm lens on a tripod. Learn how to identify Anna’s hummingbirds.

Third Conradpeloquin
Courtesy Conrad Peloquin

2022 Third Prize

Third prize goes to Conrad Peloquin of Walnut Creek, California. Conrad writes, “Sometimes your own backyard makes for some fun photography and education. I was headed toward our fountain one day when I was nearly dive bombed by a pair of hummingbirds. So I set up a chair in the corner of my yard, and in the days to come, I watched their behavior. They would fly close to the fountain, land, give it a safety check, then fly in and dance in the droplets. Once they are sufficiently watered and bathed, they fly off in search of food from our flowers.” Want to see these playful bird antics? Add a bird bath for hummingbirds to your yard.

247368768 1 Marilyn Martindale Bnbhc20
Courtesy Marilyn Martindale

2020 Grand Prize

The winner of the 2020 Hummingbird Photo Contest is Marilyn Martindale of Prescott Valley, Arizona. She says, “I was sitting outside when an Anna’s hummingbird landed in my rose bush. He stayed there until I grabbed my Nikon D3300 and allowed me to snap several pictures as he was showing off his beautiful iridescent colors.” Follow these tips to take breathtaking hummingbird photos

A female Anna's hummingbird plays in the water of a fountain.
Courtesy J.B. Smith

2020 Second Place

J.B. Smith of Anacortes, Washington says, “I have a small bird bath in my garden that I added a solar powered sprayer to this year. The hummingbirds loved it!” Learn how to make a DIY hummingbird mister.

An Allen's hummingbird perches peacefully on a branch.
Courtesy Robert Ho

2020 Third Place

Robert Ho of South San Francisco, California, says, “This Allen’s hummingbird sat alone peacefully on a perch early in the morning. The mood of the image was so zen-like and the color of the bird was simply stunning.” You have to see these rare white hummingbird sightings.

A male ruby-throated hummingbird spreads his wings while sitting on a hummingbird feeder.
Courtesy Felice Bond

2020 Honorable Mention: On the Feeder

Felice Bond of Moneta, Virginia, took this photo of a ruby-throated hummingbird in her backyard. She set up her Canon EOS 7D camera on a tripod and hid on her screen porch with the door cracked open just enough for the lens to peek out for a photo. Check out adorable pictures of baby hummingbirds.

An Anna's hummingbird sitting on a plant covered in snow.
Courtesy James Leonard

2020 Honorable Mention: Winter Visitor

James Leonard of Salem, Oregon, took this photo of an Anna’s hummingbird after a snow storm. Psst—learn how to make sugar water for hummingbirds.

A close-up of a female Anna's hummingbird sitting on a nest with pollen on its beak.
Courtesy Patricia Crockett

2020 Honorable Mention: Ready for a Close-up

Patricia Crockett of San Diego, California, is an avid birder. She was lucky enough to observe and photograph a female Anna’s hummingbird build a nest in one of her palm trees. Don’t miss these jaw-dropping hummingbird facts.

A ruby-throated hummingbird peeks at the photographer as it sits on a piece of barbed wire.
Courtesy Marianne Raft

2020 Honorable Mention: Prickly Perch

Marianne Raft of Loudon, Tennessee, says, “A favorite landing zone in my garden is old barbed wire fence. I put some Spanish moss on the wire to make it a softer landing.” 

A ruby-throated hummingbird sits on a deck after a rainstorm.
Courtesy Janis Volker

2020 Honorable Mention: Rainy Day

Janis Volker of Rice Lake, Wisconsin, says this ruby-throated hummingbird would sit near her on her deck. She took this photo just after a rainstorm. Follow these expert tips for attracting hummingbirds.

A ruby-throated hummingbird sips nectar from a firecracker plant.
Courtesy Carl Bilancione

2020 Honorable Mention: Taking a Sip

Carl Bilancione of Winter Springs, Florida, planted firecracker bushes in his backyard to attract ruby-throated hummingbirds. Check out the top 10 tube-shaped flowers that attract hummingbirds.

A wasp disrupts a hummingbird at a sugar-water feeder.
Courtesy Ginny Phillips

2020 Honorable Mention: Buzzin’ Around

Ginny Phillips of Prescott, Arizona, took this picture of a hummingbird attempting to drink some sugar-water while being bothered by a wasp. Discover 7 natural ways to keep bees and ants away from hummingbird feeders.