2022 Best of Show 
"Where the Rockies meet the Great Plains" by Ryan Smith

23rd Annual Photography Contest

To celebrate National Wildlife Refuges and the beauty of nature, Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge invited all photographers to enter the 23rd Annual Nature Photography Contest.  All photos must have been captured on federally managed public lands (learn more here). Photos taken on other sites (state managed lands, metroparks, local parks, etc) were not considered. 
This year's contest is virtual.  Entries were accepted July 1 - September 6, 2022. Participants could submit up to four entries, with a maximum of 1 entry per category.  A panel of judges reviewed the photos for content, clarity, composition and overall impression. Winners are showcased below.

The People's Choice Award winner will be announced during National Wildlife Refuge Week on October 15, 2022. Cast your vote today!
Order your calendar today!
2023 calendars featuring top winners of the 2022 Photo Contest will be available for pre-sale through October 23. Calendars will ship or be made available for pickup in November.

​To view the winners below, simply click on the photo and scroll right. Depending on your connection, you may need to refresh to view all photos.

BIRDS

​1st Place: "Winter Limpkin", Timothy J Chio
 Picture


​2nd Place: "Moment In Time" by Tony Everhardt
3rd Place: "Glamour Shot" by Ryan Lesniewicz
Five honorable mentions were selected in the Birds Category. *Click the photos to view larger*
HM: "Great Horned Owlets", Joan Pearse
HM: "Prothonotary warbler with chicks", Bob Clark
HM: "Bling, Bling", Jared Lesniewicz
HM: "Hello, my name is Sandy Hill.  I am a crane, and I am
​pleased to meet you!", Donald Pearse Sr.
HM: "Snack Time", Sherri Winegardner 

LANDSCAPES & PLANTS

1st: "Sun in Winter" by Magi Dandar
2nd Place: "Chapel Rock" by Greg Harjala
3rd Place: "Autumn Cradle" by Shelley Bennett
Three Honorable Mentions were selected in the Landscapes and Plants Category. *Click the photos to view larger*
HM: "Falling Streams: by ​Susan Puder
HM: "Yellow Mounds" by Brian Smith
HM: "We are so small" by Jared Lesniewicz

PEOPLE ENJOYING NATURE

1st Place: "Where the Rockies meet the Great Plains" by Ryan Smith
2nd Place: "In Awe of Amazing White Sands"
​by Joan Pearse
​3rd Place: "Enjoying the Sunset - Lake Superior" by Joy O'Donnell
Three Honorable Mentions were selected in the People Enjoying Nature Category. *Click the photos to view larger*
HM: "Following the Bend" by Nancy Herl
HM: "Mothing" By Tajinder Singh
HM: "Winter Wonderland" by Molly Dresser

WILDLIFE OTHER THAN BIRDS

1st Place: "The Stare" by Molly Dresser
2nd Place: "Pair of Large Swallowtails"
​by Harold Brown
3rd Place: "Raccoon Relaxing"
​by ​Jeffrey L. Vogelpohl
Three Honorable Mentions were selected for the Wildlife Other Than Nature Category. *Click the photos to view larger*
HM: "Curious Mountain Goat" by Susan Puder
HM: "Stop to See: Intricacies" by Joan Pearse
HM: "Morning Stroll" by Tony Everhardt

Teen Contest, Ages 13-17
Birds

1st Place
"Chillin' in the Tree"
Mia Pesci
2nd Place
"Bird at Rest"
​Jayden Kang

Teen Contest, Ages 13-17
Landscapes & Plants

1st Place
"Orange Glow"
​by Mia Pesci
2nd Place
"History"
Jayden Kang

Teen Contest, Ages 13-17
​People Enjoying Nature

1st Place
"Appreciation of Nature"
​by Jayden Kang

Teen Contest, Ages 13-17
Wildlife Other Than Birds

1st Place
"Sunrise Rabbit"
​by Mia Pesci

Youth Contest, Ages 5-12

1st Place: Wildlife other than Birds
"Nature is Watching"
​by Daniel Kang
1st Place: Birds
​"Migrating Crane" 
by Daniel Kang
1st Place: Landscapes/Plants
"Passage to Nature"
​by Daniel Kang
This photo contest is sponsored by the Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge.