2026 Photo Competition

Welcome to the 2026 BSO Photo Competition. This year, we received 68 photos, from 16 photographers, across the 3 categories.

Our judges announced the overall category winners on June 10 2026 at the AGM. At the same time we announced the People’s Choice Award chosen by BSO members. This year we had a tie for the People’s Choice Award.

Category Winner: Plant Portrait

*Double Star Stinkhorns* by Lily Donahue. Devil’s fingers fungus embracing off the track at Cobb Reservoir in Kahurangi National Park.

Category Winner: Plants in the Landscape

Theres gold in them thar hills — *There's gold in them thar hills* by Rach Baxter. Old Man Range.

Category Winner: Pest Plant Pics

*Riparian beauty* by John Barkla. Weed or not, montbretia add colour to the sombre streamside.

People’s Choice Award (1/2)

*Resilient leatherwood* by John Barkla. Tough leatherwood (*Macrolearia colensoi*) stands defiant on Rakiura/Stewart Island's Tin Range.

People’s Choice Award (2/2)

Redwoods in fog — *Redwoods in Fog* by John Barkla. Crowns of giant redwoods disappear into the thickening fog.

Viewing Information

We set this page up for members choice voting but now you may now use it to browse the photos by clicking on the category buttons below. You can optionally assemble a shortlist of favourites.