“I walked for hours through a unique desert landscape in northern Chile, where the rugged terrain traps sea mist in ravines” – Photographer’s rare shot of ‘the ghost of the desert’ honored with major wildlife award

The largest owl in Chile is often called the ghost of the desert because, as photographer Francisco Castro Escobar explains, “Seeing one is so rare that it’s like an apparition.” When he spotted the owl in northern Chile, after walking for hours through the desert, he captured the bird of prey beautifully.

“In the distance, we noticed the silhouette of a bird perched among the cacti. I approached slowly without a sound, hiding behind the plants to avoid any disturbance. Once near, I was thrilled to see through my lens an imposing Lesser…