Birders of Windsor and Essex County, you showed up with some of your most beautiful shots for CBC Windsor's first migratory bird photo contest. With more than 100 entries, CBC video producer and resident bird photographer — or "bird nerd" — Michael Evans had his work cut out for him choosing a winner. Our team was blown away by the variety and skill of the photographs submitted, taken across Windsor and Essex County.
Justine Labonte's stunning photo of a prairie warbler is the winner of CBC Windsor's migratory bird contest. Judge Michael Evans says it's a winner both for its beautiful composition as well as its rarity — a bucket-list bird of sorts, it's one Evans says he's never seen in person. (Submitted by Justine Labonte) But one photo in particular stood out: Winner Justine Labonte's stunning photo of a prairie warbler, taken on May 3, 2024.
"It looks like the bird is posing for the photographer. The shot is completely in focus as evidenced by the sharp eye of the bird," Evans said of Labonte's photo. "I would give just about anything to see this bird and capture a photograph like this one.
" It's a bird Evans says he's never seen. He says it's a "lifer" for many in the birding community, including Labonte, when she spotted it at the northwest end of Point Pelee National Park near sunset. She has been birding since 2019.
WATCH: Check out some of the photos in CBC Windsor's migratory bird photo contest Check out some of the photos in CBC Windsor's migratory bird photo.
