From Birds to Landscapes: Winning Photos From the Nandagang International Photo Competition

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Tucked away in Cangzhou, Hebei Province, China, the Nandagang Wetland is one of those rare places where nature still runs the show. Sitting along the legendary East Asian–Australasian Flyway, this vast wetland is a crucial pit stop for migratory birds and a thriving sanctuary for wildlife. It’s wild, raw, and unbelievably beautiful — the kind of place photographers dream about.

That’s exactly the spirit behind the Nandagang International Photo Competition, a global celebration of nature through the power of photography. Artists from around the world stepped up to capture the heartbeat of wetlands, turning fleeting natural moments into powerful visual stories.

The competition is divided into three categories: “Nandagang Wetland Birds,” “Global Wetland Landscapes,” and “Wildlife & Nature.” Each category highlights a different side of the natural world. From elegant cranes gliding across misty marshes to sweeping wetland vistas glowing at sunrise, the winning images reveal just how magical these ecosystems can be.

But this contest isn’t just about pretty pictures. The jury looked for photographs that carry meaning — images that show the delicate relationship between humans and nature. The Nandagang Wetland stands as a living example of how ecosystems evolve and how balance can be maintained when conservation matters.

As legendary photographer Aaron Siskind once said, “Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving.” These winning images do exactly that. They remind us why wetlands matter, why wildlife deserves protection, and why preserving biodiversity isn’t just important — it’s essential for our shared future.

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#1. Grand Prize Winner: "Sweet Home" by Chen Xiufeng, China

 "Sweet Home" by Chen Xiufeng, China - Nandagang International Photo Competition Winners

#2. Birds of Nandagang Wetland – First Prize: "Footprints of Migration" by Song Wenfeng, China

 "Footprints of Migration" by Song Wenfeng, China - Nandagang International Photo Competition Winners

#3. Global Wetland Landscape – First Prize: "Tidal Money Tree" by Zhang Xu, China

 "Tidal Money Tree" by Zhang Xu, China - Nandagang International Photo Competition Winners

#4. Wildlife & Nature – First Prize: "Flying Foxes" by Nafis Ameen, Bangladesh

 "Flying Foxes" by Nafis Ameen, Bangladesh - Nandagang International Photo Competition Winners

#5. Birds of Nandagang Wetland – Second Prize: "Takeoff" by Liu Liansheng, China

 "Takeoff" by Liu Liansheng, China - Nandagang International Photo Competition Winners

#6. Birds of Nandagang Wetland – Second Prize: "Elegant Silhouette" by Zhao Jidong, China

 "Elegant Silhouette" by Zhao Jidong, China - Nandagang International Photo Competition Winners

#7. Global Wetland Landscape – Second Prize: "Reflection" by Erfan Samanfar, Iran

 "Reflection" by Erfan Samanfar, Iran - Nandagang International Photo Competition Winners

#8. Global Wetland Landscape – Second Prize: "Sustainable Agriculture" by Azim Khan Ronnie, Bangladesh

 "Sustainable Agriculture" by Azim Khan Ronnie, Bangladesh - Nandagang International Photo Competition Winners

#9. Wildlife & Nature – Second Prize: "Follow Me Auntie" by Arghya Adhikary, India

 "Follow Me Auntie" by Arghya Adhikary, India - Nandagang International Photo Competition Winners

#10. Wildlife & Nature – Second Prize: "Silent Call in the Winter" by Kyaw Thu Wai, Myanmar

 "Silent Call in the Winter" by Kyaw Thu Wai, Myanmar - Nandagang International Photo Competition Winners

Third Prize Winners

#11. "Elves of Dawa" by Zhang Huijuan, China

"Elves of Dawa" by Zhang Huijuan, China - Nandagang International Photo Competition Winners

#12. "Traditional Fishing on Inle Lake" by Nay Lin Htun, Myanmar

"Traditional Fishing on Inle Lake" by Nay Lin Htun, Myanmar - Nandagang International Photo Competition Winners

#13. "Silent Migration" by Camilo Díaz, Colombia

"Silent Migration" by Camilo Díaz, Colombia - Nandagang International Photo Competition Winners

#14. "Foraging" by Song Qingzhong, China

"Foraging" by Song Qingzhong, China - Nandagang International Photo Competition Winners

#15. "Eye of the Earth · Aiken Spring" by Wu Tingxiang, China

"Eye of the Earth · Aiken Spring" by Wu Tingxiang, China - Nandagang International Photo Competition Winners

#16. "Rite of Passage" by Somdutt Prasad, India

"Rite of Passage" by Somdutt Prasad, India - Nandagang International Photo Competition Winners

#17. "Elegant Stance" by Zhang Weiwei, China

"Elegant Stance" by Zhang Weiwei, China - Nandagang International Photo Competition Winners

#18. "Puzhehe Sunrise" by Zhu Yunkuan, China

"Puzhehe Sunrise" by Zhu Yunkuan, China - Nandagang International Photo Competition Winners

#19. "Leaf Window" by Salahuddin Ahmed, Bangladesh

"Leaf Window" by Salahuddin Ahmed, Bangladesh - Nandagang International Photo Competition Winners

#20. "Frozen wetland" by Piotr Dras, Poland

"Frozen wetland" by Piotr Dras, Poland - Nandagang International Photo Competition Winners

#21. "Beauty of Nature" by Myo Minn Aung, Myanmar

"Beauty of Nature" by Myo Minn Aung, Myanmar - Nandagang International Photo Competition Winners

#22. "Golden Rooster Crowing" by Ma Guangbo, China

"Golden Rooster Crowing" by Ma Guangbo, China - Nandagang International Photo Competition Winners

Honorable Mentions

#23. "The Vanishing Ice" by Zhang Lv, China

"The Vanishing Ice" by Zhang Lv, China - Nandagang International Photo Competition Winners

#24. "Family Embrace" by Uthum Methsara Jayaweera, Sri Lanka

"Family Embrace" by Uthum Methsara Jayaweera, Sri Lanka - Nandagang International Photo Competition Winners

#25. "Nature accepts oblivion to let tomorrow exist" by Pablo Bueno, France

"Nature accepts oblivion to let tomorrow exist" by Pablo Bueno, France - Nandagang International Photo Competition Winners

#26. "Yield to the Deer" by Zou Zheng, China

"Yield to the Deer" by Zou Zheng, China - Nandagang International Photo Competition Winners

#27. "Eager to Return Home" by Ding Jianjun, China

"Eager to Return Home" by Ding Jianjun, China - Nandagang International Photo Competition Winners

#28. "Wild Asian Elephant" by Fabio Nodari, Italy

"Wild Asian Elephant" by Fabio Nodari, Italy - Nandagang International Photo Competition Winners

#29. "Golden Valley" by Wang Lei, China

"Golden Valley" by Wang Lei, China - Nandagang International Photo Competition Winners

#30. "Mid Air Battle" by Lawrence Worcester, USA

"Mid Air Battle" by Lawrence Worcester, USA - Nandagang International Photo Competition Winners

#31. "Wild Pause" by Toghrul Hasanbayli, Netherlands

"Wild Pause" by Toghrul Hasanbayli, Netherlands - Nandagang International Photo Competition Winners

FAQs

1. What is the Nandagang International Photo Competition?

The Nandagang International Photo Competition is a global photography contest celebrating wetlands, wildlife, and nature. It encourages photographers worldwide to document biodiversity, ecosystems, and the connection between humans and nature.

2. Where is the Nandagang Wetland located?

Nandagang Wetland is located in Cangzhou, Hebei Province, China. It lies along the East Asian–Australasian Flyway and serves as a critical habitat for migratory birds and wetland wildlife.

3. What categories are included in the competition?

The competition features three categories: Nandagang Wetland Birds, Global Wetland Landscapes, and Wildlife & Nature, allowing photographers to showcase birdlife, ecosystems, and broader natural wildlife stories.

4. Why is the Nandagang Wetland important for biodiversity?

Nandagang Wetland supports diverse bird species and wildlife along a major migratory route. Its rich ecosystem plays a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity and protecting global wetland habitats.

5. What message do the winning photos aim to share?

The winning photographs highlight the beauty and fragility of wetlands, encouraging awareness of conservation, biodiversity protection, and the importance of maintaining harmony between humans and nature.


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