Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
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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.
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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.

Pre-Order Now
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2022 People's Choice 
"Great Horned Owlets" by Joan Pearse


​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

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​1st Place: "Winter Limpkin", Timothy J Chio
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​2nd Place: "Moment In Time" by Tony Everhardt

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

LANDSCAPES & PLANTS

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

PEOPLE ENJOYING NATURE

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1st Place: "Where the Rockies meet the Great Plains" by Ryan Smith
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2nd Place: "In Awe of Amazing White Sands"
​by Joan Pearse
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​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*
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HM: "Following the Bend" by Nancy Herl
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HM: "Mothing" By Tajinder Singh
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HM: "Winter Wonderland" by Molly Dresser

WILDLIFE OTHER THAN BIRDS

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1st Place: "The Stare" by Molly Dresser
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2nd Place: "Pair of Large Swallowtails"
​by Harold Brown
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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*
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HM: "Curious Mountain Goat" by Susan Puder
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HM: "Stop to See: Intricacies" by Joan Pearse
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HM: "Morning Stroll" by Tony Everhardt

Teen Contest, Ages 13-17
Birds

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

Teen Contest, Ages 13-17
Landscapes & Plants

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

Teen Contest, Ages 13-17
​People Enjoying Nature

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

Teen Contest, Ages 13-17
Wildlife Other Than Birds

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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.
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Friends of Ottawa NWR
14000 W. State Route 2
Oak Harbor, OH 43449 

  
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419-898-0014 x13
friendsofottawanwr@gmail.com

 EIN: 34-1904821   
Visitor Center open Wednesday-Sunday 10am-4pm.
  • HOME
  • YOUR REFUGE
    • Plan Your Visit
    • Ottawa NWR Complex
    • Refuge Challenges
    • Recent Sightings
    • Visitor Center
    • Kids Corner
    • Wildlife Drive
    • Endangered Wildlife
    • Endangered Plants
    • Research >
      • Bald Eagle Updates
      • West Sister Island Rookery
      • Blanding's Turtles
    • Gallery >
      • Most Memorable Moments
      • Photos by Friends
    • Wildlife Observation & Birding Tips
    • Timing of Bird Migration
    • Spring Birding Spots
    • Fishing and Hunting Information
    • Refuge Staff
    • EV Charging Station
    • Barn Quilt Trail
    • Know Your Signs
    • National Wildlife Refuge System
  • Who we are
    • Our Story
    • Friends History
    • Network of Friends
    • Strategic Goals
    • Financials
    • Board of Directors
    • Friends Staff
    • Community Partners
  • WHAT WE DO
    • Events >
      • Spring Migration
      • Chili Cookoff
      • Photography Contest
    • Friends Programs >
      • Land Acquisition and Restoration
      • Internship Program
      • Environmental Education Grants
      • Nature Programs
    • Friends Projects >
      • Shuttle
      • Bird Friendly Facility Project
      • Fox Nature Preserve
      • Nehls Memorial Nature Preserve
      • Portage River Water Trail
      • Marinewood Restoration
      • West Harbor Project
      • Wildlife Drive Improvements
      • Visitor Center Fishing Access
    • Recent Accomplishments
    • Carrying on a Legacy
  • HOW TO HELP
    • Donate
    • License Plate
    • Become a Member
    • Wheels for Wetlands
    • Legacy Gifts
    • Federal Duck Stamp Program
    • Volunteer >
      • Volunteer Portal
    • Corporate Sponsors
    • Conservation at Home
    • Say No to Balloon Releases
  • Shop