A Metchosin photographer knew he had captured something special while he was on a hummingbird shoot in Arizona.

Michael Lambie is the only Canadian nominee up for the Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award for his photo “The Stand-Off.”

He said he stumbled upon the image out of pure luck.

During his Arizona shoot a group of turkeys caught his attention.

Among the large birds was a male turkey who got distracted by his own reflection in the bumper of a truck.

“He thinks this is another turkey, he thinks this is a competitor of his so he goes up to the turkey and he gives him a big peck,” Lambie said. “No reaction from the other bird, the other bird seems to be up for the competition so he goes in and goes at it again.”

According to the photographer, the pecking went on for about 15 minutes before the turkey realized his fellow comrades had left.

“It was incredible to watch,” Lambie recalled. “I just happened to be in the right place at the right time.”

Lambie says you find the best images one of two ways.

“You either are somewhere and you get very lucky, Lambie said. “You just happen to be there or an incredible amount of planning goes into the image.”

Twenty-five photos from around the world are in the running for the prestigious wildlife photography award.

The Natural History Museum in London, England chose the photographs from roughly 50,000 submissions.

This isn’t the first time the B.C. man has been a part of the esteemed competition.

His photo “Surf Gull” taken at Pacific Rim won the Wildlife Photographer of the Year award in 2008.

Surf Gull

Lambie isn’t a professional photographer – he owns a company that makes software for the music market.

He says photography is a big part of his life, especially during trips he takes with his wife.

“I’m up before sunrise to get somewhere, I will take images for maybe two to three hours,” Lambie said. “We’ll spend the day together until two hours before sunset and then I take a camera and capture more images.”

Now his picture of the conflicted bird is up against 24 other wildlife photographers from New Zealand, Spain, Germany and Hungary.

“If you want entry in this competition, you’re going up against best in the world,” Lambie said. “I like to view it as a challenge.”

To view the 25 submissions and vote for your favourite click here.