A Photographer Used Roadkill to Attract an Eagle, Then He Won a Contest

Biologist and Canon Europe Ambassador Audun Rikardsen creates stunning images on land and in the sea – often employing strobes, underwater housings with dome ports, and other specialized gear to give his images a level of eye-popping polish.

Recently, Rikardsen took top honors in the "Behavior: Birds" category in the UK's Natural History Museum's Wildlife Photographer of the Year contest for his incredible image of a golden eagle just inches away from landing on a branch. The contest prohibits "live baiting" or other activity that "adversely affect [the animal's] behaviour, either directly or through irresponsible habituation," but Rikardsen used roadkill to help attract the eagle.

In this episode of Vision Slightly Blurred, Sarah and Allen discuss wildlife ethics (and how they can vary by locale), contest culture, and how every wildlife photo doesn't need a conservation story.