Three Photographers Share Eastside Audubon’s October Photo of the Month Award
Three photographers—Margaret Larkin, Dorothy Sowell, and Morgan Sidoine—share the Eastside Audubon Photo of the Month award for October, each recognized for outstanding images capturing distinctive bird species in striking moments.
Margaret Larkin is honored for her image titled Great Egret in Fog, Long Beach, Washington.
Photo Details
Shutter Speed: 1/320sec | ISO: 250 | Aperture: f/9
“While in Long Beach, we went to the harbor near Cape Disappointment,” Margaret says. “I thought it was almost too foggy to photograph, but from the observation deck I noticed a Great Egret hunting along the shore. I stayed still on the deck, and the Egret walked toward me. The ever-present fog lifted just enough for me to get the subject in focus.”
She captured the photo at 1/320 sec, f/9, and ISO 250. The soft light and fog give the image a calm, ethereal quality that highlights the elegance of the Great Egret.
Dorothy Sowell also earned the October honor for her photograph of a female Belted Kingfisher taken at Fort Worden State Park in Port Townsend.
Photo Details
500mm | Shutter Speed: 1/1000 sec | ISO: 1250 | Aperture: f/8
“The kingfisher was making its ‘mechanical rattle’ call sound, which alerted me to look around,” Dorothy says. From her vantage point on the walkway leading to the Marine Science Center Aquarium, she spotted the bird and captured it using a Canon EOS R5 with a Canon RF 100–500 mm lens.
Her camera was set at 500 mm, ISO 1250, 1/1000 sec, and f/8.0. “I use FV with Auto ISO,” she explains, noting that this setting helps her adapt quickly when photographing fast-moving subjects like kingfishers.
Morgan Sidoine, the third October winner, received recognition for her photograph of a Snowy Egret taken in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
Photo Details
Shutter Speed: 1/2000 sec | ISO: 800 | Aperture: f/6.3
“I followed this Egret as he was walking along a stream and fishing,” Morgan says. “The Egret was so beautiful as it was searching for its meal.”
Morgan, who began photographing birds in high school as part of a senior project, captured the image using a shutter speed of 1/2000 sec, f/6.3, and ISO 800. Her photo highlights the delicate features and graceful movement of the Snowy Egret, known for its white plumage and contrasting black legs with yellow feet.
For those interested in exploring more of Morgan Sidoine’s photography, visit her Instagram page @morgan_pi_nature
About the Eastside Audubon Photograph of the Month Award
The Photo of the Month award was instituted to recognize the work of the Photo Group Members. The group members meet monthly to show their latest photos and videos as well as share their knowledge of photography and wildlife. To attend the meetings, please join the group’s announcement list.