Owls in the Wind by Jenaya Launstein

"Owls in the Wind" by Jenaya Launstein Recognized on the International Stage

“Owls in the Wind” is one of the latest releases from acclaimed young wildlife and conservation photographer, Jenaya Launstein, and it’s already garnering international attention.

The image was recently awarded as the overall winner for the Youth Division of the prestigious Big Picture Natural World Photography Competition, selected by judges including the venerable Art Wolfe and Kathy Moran, the Sr. Editor of Natural History at National Geographic. Further, “Owls in the Wind” has also been awarded in Por el Planeta, the largest conservation photography competition in the world, which saw entries from 88 countries. It will appear in their much-anticipated portfolio book being released fall, 2015.

It is an iconic Alberta scene, balancing the heritage, agricultural and wind energy influences in the area around the Launsteins’ home near Pincher Creek, Alberta, with three of Alberta’s Provincial Bird, the Great Horned Owl, perched atop the weathered and wind-beaten old granary.

Be sure to read the full story behind the image below, and scroll down to inquire about purchasing this remarkable image as a fine-art Limited Edition Print.

The Story Behind “Owls in the Wind”

In the summer of 2013, Jenaya’s father, John Launstein, and her younger brother Josiah, discovered that three young Great Horned Owls and their mother had taken up residence in a weathered old granary near their home in Pincher Creek, Alberta.

John, Jenaya and Josiah began making regular visits to the old granary in hopes of catching the owls out in nice light. After numerous attempts, it all came together at the end of July, and Jenaya made the most of the opportunity, carefully crafting the photograph of a lifetime.

Jenaya had to time the shot perfectly to ensure good position on all six blades of the wind turbines while also getting all three owls in a pleasing pose and position. As the warm dusk light faded, she squeezed the shutter release on this striking composition.

John remembers giving her a fist bump after looking at the image on the back of the camera, still mounted on the tripod after the owls had headed out into the fields to hunt and saying, “Congratulations, Jaye…I think you just captured your next award-winner!”

In a recent interview with Por el Planeta about the image, Jenaya shared, “Although I think the windmills help convey a powerful story, I can’t say that I like when owls choose to roost so close to them. My family and I all know the devastating effect windmills can have on the bird population, including raptors. I am glad, though, that these young owls were able to thrive in the area, and I’m especially glad they chose to come out and pose for my dad and sister and myself on this quiet evening near our home and let me get this picture!”

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To inquire about reserving an Artist’s Proof or one of only 50 Limited Edition Fine Art Prints of this special piece, give us a call or simply fill out the inquiry form below! You can view “Owls in the Wind” in person at our Wildlife Art Gallery in the Crowsnest Pass at 12323 20 Ave, Blairmore, Alberta.

To learn more about Jenaya and her remarkable accomplishments in wildlife photography, please drop by her bio page. You can also work through a short timeline of highlights in Jenaya’s journey as a photographer on our About The Launstein Family page.

Finally, don’t forget you can follow the Launsteins’ photographic adventures on Twitter @LaunsteinFamily, and on Facebook at Launstein Imagery.

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