Don Larkin and Jeff Lane Share November Photo of the Month Honors

The Eastside Audubon Society named Don Larkin and Jeff Lane as the November winners for their remarkable wildlife photographs.

Persistence Pays Off: Don Larkin Nails the Kingfisher in Mid-Flight

Larkin’s winning photograph captured a Belted Kingfisher in flight, a shot he took in September near Port Townsend. “For years, I tried to photograph one in flight, but their quick and elusive flying patterns always resulted in ‘butt’ shots taken from behind as my reward,” Larkin says.

While photographing the Booby, a Kingfisher flew by every 10 minutes with the sole purpose of taunting Larkin.

“So, I foolishly accepted his challenge to photograph him in flight, which just led to more disappointment and humiliation,” he says. “But it was later that day when my wife and I were photographing a different bird at another lake nearby that my persistence paid off. I discovered that pretending to focus my attention on a different bird, caused the Kingfisher to become less nervous and easier to photograph.”

This is the seventh time Don Larkin has received the award.

To see more of his work, visit Don Larkin's Instagram page at Larkin Nature Photos.

Jeff Lane’s Pelican Photo Earns November Honors

Jeff Lane’s submission was a captivating shot of pelicans in Yellowstone. Lane described the experience as challenging due to their constant motion and varying light conditions. "I tried to get the light as best I could, but they were not posing," he said. His persistence, capturing hundreds of images to find the perfect frame, paid off.

To see more of Jeff Lane’s work, visit his portfolio at Jeff Lane Photos.

**Photo Details:**
Shot on Nikon Z9 with an 800 mm lens.
**Speed:** 1/2500 |**Aperture:** f/6.3 | **ISO:** 1250 | **Focal length:** 800 mm and 1.3x teleconverter

Jeff Lane Also Named Winner in the Northwest Camera Council Competition

Lane also received recognition in November from the Northwest Camera Council, winning Best in Show for his photograph of a short-eared owl and a harrier.

The Pacific Northwest photographers group announced the award in November. He was also awarded second place in the Large Monochrome Prints for a Raven shot.

“The shorty and the harrier were up at the East 90 last year,” he says. “It was one of the 10 or so times I went up to shoot the short-eared owls. I didn't realize that I had gotten the shot until I got home. It was at a fair distance and close to the ground and I mostly just saw the movement.”

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.