The 3rd edition of Avistar-Itaú BBA Photo Contest is designed to stimulate the documentation and conservation of Brazilian birds. It is an Avistar-O ECO initiative, sponsored by Itaú BBA Bank and those excellent folk at Swarovski Optik as Avistar Optic Partner

The subject of the contest is “Brazilian Birds.” It is open to amateur as well as professional photographers, and is open to all-comers (whether you are Brazilian or not).

Avistar Contest 2009 has a Special Focus on endangered species, a special page in the website and a Special Prize for the best Threatened Bird Photo.

The contest is divided into 3 categories:

• First Birds: a Beginners Category.
• Best Photograph: Best photos of birds according to photographic and esthetic criteria.
• Best Record: Best records of birds, based on ornithological interest

Each participant may register up to six (6) photographs, and must choose the category for which each photograph will run (First Birds, Best Picture or Best Record).

Entries will be accepted from Dec 20th to March 02, 2009.

Prizes for Best Photo and Best Record category:

• 1st place R$8,000.00
• 2nd place R$5,000.00
• 3rd place R$ 2,000.00

Prizes for beginners category:

• 1st place R$5,000.00
• 2nd place R$2,000.00
• 3rd place R$ 1,000.00

08 Honorable mention R$500.00 (each category)

02 Special Prize R$ 4.000,00

01 Swarovski Special Prize for Endangered Bird Photo

01 Swarovski Special Prize for the Best Digiscoped Photo.

For more information please go to www.avistarbrasil.com.br/concurso

This information was provided by Guto Carvalho, part of the team that manage the superb Parque do Zizo, near Sao Paulo which I was fortunate to visit in July 2006, and who’ve I’ve been in contact with ever since. For a report on that visit go to /parque-do-zizo.htm