NBPA: Youth 13-18

WINNER: Carmine Fight by Juan van den Heever, South Africa Photograph taken: Kalizo Lodge, Katima Mulilo, Botswana “Every year in August, thousands of southern carmine bee-eaters converge on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River to dig nests, breed and raise the next generation. As with most courtship displays, males try to impress females by showing them that they are the strongest and fittest to ensure the survival of the species. This provokes competitiveness in other males, who swoop down to prove their qualifications for procreation. This usually leads to squabbles, which include individuals flying up and jousting with one another, like delicate fencers with feathered foils. I was lucky enough to capture these two just before they jabbed each other once again.” Technical details: Nikon D4 / 400mm / ISO 1000 / f7.1 / 1/4000s / E -0.3