NWF Disqualifies Award-Winning Owl Photo Amid AI and Composite Allegations
The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) disqualified Kellie Carter's grand prize-winning photo from its Garden for Wildlife Photo Contest after public outcry. The image, depicting a great horned owl against red auroras in Pawhuska, Oklahoma, was flagged by photographers as likely AI-generated or a composite. NWF initially responded with jokes on Instagram but later investigated, concluding the photo was a composite—not AI-generated. Critics, including photographers Liz Tran, Jenny Wong, and Ben Knoot, pointed out anatomical impossibilities (owl feet), implausible aurora visibility at that latitude, and the use of an RF 24-105mm f/4 lens for night wildlife photography. Carter had previously won NWF contests with other dubious images, now deleted from NWF's site. NWF does not require RAW files, complicating verification. The runner-up, Nicole Land, received the $1,000 prize. NWF apologized and promised procedural changes. Carter could not be reached for comment.
Key facts
- Kellie Carter's winning photo in NWF's Garden for Wildlife Photo Contest was disqualified.
- The photo showed a great horned owl with red auroras in Pawhuska, Oklahoma, in June 2025.
- NWF concluded the image was a composite, not AI-generated.
- Photographers cited anatomical errors in owl feet and implausible aurora visibility.
- Carter used a Canon R6 with RF 24-105mm f/4 lens, considered unsuitable for such shots.
- NWF initially responded with puns on Instagram before investigating.
- Carter had previously won NWF contests with other suspicious images, since removed.
- Runner-up Nicole Land received the $1,000 grand prize.
Entities
Artists
- Kellie Carter
- Liz Tran
- Jenny Wong
- Ben Knoot
- Nicole Schriber
- Gerry Scully
- Amanda's Nature Photography
- Nicole Land
Institutions
- National Wildlife Federation (NWF)
- PetaPixel
- OM System
- Nikon
- 405 Magazine
- Evoto
- Sony
- Hasselblad
Locations
- Pawhuska, Oklahoma
- Oklahoma
- United States
- Churchill