21st Annual Photography Contest

To celebrate National Wildlife Refuges and the beauty of nature, Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge invites all photographers to enter the 21st Annual Nature Photography Contest.  All photos must be captured on federally managed public lands (learn more here). Photos taken on other sites (state managed lands, metroparks, local parks, etc) will not be considered. Prizes will be awarded including a private bus tour of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge for the Best of Show winner and up to 13 guests!

​Due to COVID-19, photos will be displayed on our website instead of in the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center. Judges met on September 15, 2020 to award 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in each category and award the Best of Show Winner. The People's Choice Award winner was chosen through online voting open September 15 - October 17. Thank you to everyone who participated, and congratulations to the winners!

---

 Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge Photo Contest
2020 Best of Show 
"Shining Light" by Shelley Bennett

2020 People's Choice Award
"Fort Jefferson" by Chris Reineke

Birds

1st: "The Fight for the Tree Hole..."
​by Michael Darmstadt

2nd: Mighty Bald Eagle
​by Tony Everhardt

3rd: Sleepy Screech
by John Haley

Birds (Teen)

1st: "Birds of the Berry Bush" by Maya Sarikonda

---

Landscape/Plants

1st: "Shining Light" by Shelley Bennett

2nd: "Reflections" by Gloria Denos

3rd: "Grand Prismatic Spring" by Mark Chambers

---

People Enjoying Nature

1st: "Hiking the East Inlet Trail" by Mark Chambers

2nd: "Enjoying Pictured Rocks" by Patricia Healey

3rd: "Man on a Pier" by Michael Darmstadt

---

Wildlife (Other than Birds)

1st: "Alligator Family" by Daryl Roston

2nd: "What did the dad buffalo say to his son as he was leaving for work? Bison!" by Michael Fairweather

3rd: " 'Ol Mossback" by Tony Everhardt