PHOTOS: Birds like you have never seen before

The National Audubon Society has announced the winners of its 2016 photography awards. The society which has dedicated itself to the appreciation of birds, received nearly 7,000 images, to which more than 1,700 participants contributed, competing in five different categories.

Have a look at the best bird photos of the 2016 Audubon Photography Awards.

Category: Professional, Grand Prize Winner

Bald Eagle, Great Blue Heron

This striking image by Bonnie Block was chosen as the grand prize winner. It shows a swooping bald eagle and great blue herons feasting on fish in Seabeck, Washington. Photograph: Bonnie Block/Audubon Photography Awards

Category: Fine Art

Green Violetear

Barbara Driscoll won for fine art with this photo of a green violetear hummingbird in Costa Rica. The bird was trying to dry out after rain. Photograph: Barbara Driscoll/Audubon Photography Awards 

Category: Amateur, Honourable Mention

Black-winged Stilt

Artur Stankiewicz's photo of a black-winged stilt shot near Skala Kallonis on Lesbos Island, Greece was named the Amateur honourable mention. Photograph: Artur Stankiewicz/Audubon Photography Awards

Category: Youth Winner

Great Frigatebird

Carolina Anne Fraser won the youth category for this dramatic image of great frigatebirds in the Galápagos. "The rocking boat, as well as the heat and brilliant Galápagos sun were a challenge, but I braced myself, checked my settings, and focused on the birds’ behavior," she writes. Photograph: Carolina Anne Fraser/Audubon Photography Awards

Category: Amateur, Honourable Mention

Common Raven

Colleen Gara's shot of two common ravens in Alberta, Canada was another Amateur honourable mention. Photograph: Colleen Gara/Audubon Photography Awards

Category: Professional Winner

Osprey

Dick Dickinson's photograph of an Osprey's wing taken in Siesta Key, Sarasota, Florida, was the Professional winner. Photograph: Dick Dickinson/Audubon Photography Awards

Category: Amateur Winner

Eared Grebe

Steve Torna won the amateur category for this image of migrating eared grebes in Yellowstone Lake. "I was drawn to their bright-red eyes, their golden 'ears,' and the way the flock created a colorful natural pattern," writes Torna. Photograph: Steve Torna/Audubon Photography Awards

Category: Amateur , Honourable Mention

Piping Plover

Martin V Sneary won honourable mention, amateur, for this photo of piping plovers on a Massachussetts beach. Photograph: Martin V Sneary/Audubon Photography Awards

Category: Fine Art, Honourable Mention

Turkey Vulture

Blake Shaw's shot of a turkey vulture near San Felipe in Baja California, Mexico, was a Fine Art honourable mention choice. Photograph: Blake Shaw/Audubon Photography Awards