Congratulations to local wildlife photographer Paul Bannick who is a Canon Award winner in the International Conservation Photography Awards competition.

Here's his prize winning photo:

Paul Bannick's winning photo, Arctic Emissary, taken at Ocean Shores in February, 2012.

Here's his artist statement for this photo: "Powerful wings propel a snowy owl vertically into a hunt during an irruption at Washington's Ocean Shores. I aim to trigger intense connections with the owl's fiery golden eyes to trigger empathy, curiosity and conservation. The inky pre-dawn allowed me to study the rhythm of her hunting and enabled a close approach. As the sunrise lit her body, lying on the sand allowed me to align her with the bluest opening in the clouds."

The Burke Museum of History and Culture will display the winning photos by Bannick and others in its 2012 International Conservation Photography Awards Exhibit. Opening day is Saturday June 30. The event offers the chance to not only see the photos, but hear from four of the honored photographers about their technique and passion for conservation. Judges from the panel will also offer guided tours of the exhibit.

The program runs from 10 a.m. to 5 pm. at the Burke.

Over 75 photos were chosen from more than 1,500 images submitted by amateur and professional photographers from across the globe, all with a conservation focus.

The exhibit will be up from June 30 until Nov. 25.

The Burke's web site has a complete schedule of events on opening day of the exhibit and more information about it. .
To enjoy more of Bannick's work, see his web site.

For more about the snowy owl irruption of 2011-12 that thrilled so many birders and conservationists, read my story in the Seattle Times.