At just 16, Parham Pourahmad has already built a wildlife photography résumé that many photographers would be thrilled to have decades into their careers. The young photographer from California has now added one of his biggest achievements yet: Young Bird Photographer of the Year 2026 for his breathtaking image, Moonlit Night.
The photograph is beautifully simple. A great horned owl sits high in a pine tree, perfectly silhouetted against a glowing full moon. But getting that kind of frame isn’t simply about having a long lens and being in the right place. It takes patience, observation, timing, and a little bit of luck.
Pourahmad discovered wildlife photography during the COVID-19 pandemic after watching animals at a park near his home. What began as something to do close to home quickly became a serious passion. His subjects range from coyotes and foxes to raptors, owls, sea otters, herons, and other wild animals.
And this isn’t his first major success. In 2024, he won the 11–14 Years category of Wildlife Photographer of the Year with An Evening Meal.
Now, with Moonlit Night, Parham has once again shown that great wildlife photography isn’t about age. It’s about seeing the moment before everyone else does.
The Winning Photograph:
The Moonlit Moment That Changed Everything
Moonlit Night began as a completely different photography mission. Pourahmad had found a pair of great horned owls nesting in a park near his home in Los Gatos, California. He headed out at dusk hoping to create a strong owl portrait. Then the full moon started rising, and the plan changed.
- The winning photograph features a great horned owl silhouetted against the full moon.
- One owl flew onto a pine tree just as the moon created the perfect background.
- Pourahmad quickly repositioned himself to align the bird and moon.
- The image won Gold in the 15–17 Years category.
- It also earned him the overall Young Bird Photographer of the Year title.
From Pandemic Hobby to Serious Wildlife Photography
Pourahmad’s photography journey started during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he began observing wildlife at a park near his home. Instead of simply photographing whatever crossed his path, he gradually became fascinated by behavior, light, composition, and the challenge of making each frame feel different.
- His favorite subjects include coyotes, foxes, raptors, and owls.
- He looks for ways to combine wildlife with interesting scenery.
- Lighting plays a major role in his creative approach.
- He photographs wild animals without baiting them.
- His work has developed through regular observation and experimentation.
A Young Photographer With a Serious Track Record
Winning Young Bird Photographer of the Year isn’t Parham’s first major international recognition. In 2024, he won the 11–14 Years category at Wildlife Photographer of the Year with An Evening Meal, showing a young Cooper’s hawk feeding on a squirrel. The image was made at Ed R. Levin County Park in California.
- An Evening Meal won when Parham was in the 11–14 age category.
- He visited the park regularly while working on wildlife images.
- His earlier work focused strongly on natural behavior.
- In 2025, his A Tale of Two Coyotes was highly commended at Wildlife Photographer of the Year.
- His growing portfolio shows a consistent interest in authentic wild-animal moments.
Looking Beyond the Bird
One thing that stands out in Pourahmad’s work is his interest in the world surrounding the animal. He’s not simply chasing close-up portraits. He often considers light, habitat, background, and scale as part of the story. His 2026 Audubon Photography Awards entries demonstrate that approach across several different environments.
- His 2026 Audubon portfolio included a Wild Turkey photographed in Stanford, California.
- He photographed a Sooty Grouse with Yosemite Valley and Half Dome in the background.
- A Great Blue Heron was framed with San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge.
- An American Kestrel was photographed within its coastal habitat.
- A Common Raven was composed against Yosemite’s dramatic cliffs.
Why Moonlit Night Feels So Special
Moonlit Night shows no complicated setup. That’s part of its charm. The composition strips everything back to a dark pine tree, a glowing moon, and the unmistakable silhouette of a great horned owl. The result feels almost cinematic while remaining a genuine wild encounter.
- Pourahmad captured the photograph in Los Gatos, California.
- Pourahmad used a Canon EOS Rebel T5i with a Sigma 150–600mm lens.
- The image was shot at 275mm, 1/500 sec, f/5.6, and ISO 6400.
- The moon became the visual anchor rather than simply a background detail.
- The photograph reminds us that patience and quick creative decisions can completely transform a wildlife image.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Who won Young Bird Photographer of the Year 2026?
Sixteen-year-old Parham Pourahmad from the United States won Young Bird Photographer of the Year 2026 with Moonlit Night, featuring a great horned owl silhouetted dramatically against a glowing full moon in California.
What is Moonlit Night by Parham Pourahmad?
Moonlit Night is a wildlife photograph showing a great horned owl perched on a pine tree against a full moon. Pourahmad captured the image in Los Gatos, California, after noticing the moon while photographing nesting owls.
When did Parham Pourahmad start wildlife photography?
Parham Pourahmad began wildlife photography during the COVID-19 pandemic after observing animals at a park near his home. His interest gradually grew into a serious passion focused on wildlife behavior, creative lighting, scenery and authentic moments.
What other photography awards has Parham Pourahmad won?
Parham previously won the 11–14 Years category at Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2024 with An Evening Meal. His photography has also received recognition in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year and Audubon Photography Awards.
What camera did Parham use for Moonlit Night?
Parham captured Moonlit Night using a Canon EOS Rebel T5i paired with a Sigma 150–600mm lens. The published details list 275mm, 1/500 second, f/5.6 and ISO 6400 for the winning photograph.
