"I was on the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge Wildlife Drive with my daughter Kari when I spotted this Bronze Copper butterfly. It was a very cool morning for August and it ​posed for a long time."
Best of Show ~ Morning Dew and Beauty by James E. Mathews

​24th Annual Photography Contest

To celebrate National Wildlife Refuges and the beauty of nature, Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge invited all photographers to enter the 24th 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. 

​Entries were accepted July 1 - September 5, 2023. Participants could submit up to four entries, with a maximum of 1 entry per category.  The categories include: Birds, Wildlife other than Birds, Landscapes and Plants and People Enjoying Nature. There will be the following age categories: Adult (18+), Teen (13-17 years old) and Youth (5-12 years old). A panel of judges will review the photos for content, clarity, composition and overall impression.

Check out the winners below! Now is your chance to provide feedback by voting for your favorite to win People's Choice. You can vote once per day until October 13! The People's Choice Award winner will be announced on Saturday, October 14 as we celebrate National Wildlife Refuge Week. 



​2023 People's Choice 
Time for a Nap: Mama Bear and Cub by Joan Pearse
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​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

First Place: Reddish Egret at Sunrise by Daryl Roston
Second Place: Virginia Rail with Feather by Lori Monska
Third Place: Reflecting Avocets by Tajinder Singh​
HM: Dinner is Served by James E. Mathews
HM: Is this my good side? by Jack Thomas
HM: Snowy Owl Looking At You by Susan Puder
HM: Blue Beauty by Zach Bartoe

LANDSCAPES & PLANTS

First Place: Ohio's State Wildflower by Jared Lesniewicz
Second Place: Dramatic Sunset with
​Thousands of Redhead Ducks ​by Joan Pearse
Third Place: Bear Lake Reflections by Jordan McLeland
HM: Serenity by Saleem Siddiqui
HM: Away with the Wind by Emma Barrasso
HM: Yellow on Yellow by Jack Laverty
HM: Reaching Down by Zach Bartoe

PEOPLE ENJOYING NATURE

First Place: Love on the Rocks by Saleem Siddiqui
Second Place: Dare Devils on Devil's Bridge by Molly Dresser ​
Third Place: Swan Song by Margaret Dandar
HM: Enjoying the Amazing Horseshoe Bend by Joan Pearse
HM: Dune Hikers by Jack Laverty
HM: Wow! What a Hot Tub! by Gary Hawke
HM: Watching the Sunrise by Jordan McLeland

WILDLIFE OTHER THAN BIRDS

First Place: Morning Dew and Beauty by James E. Mathews
Second Place: Small but Mighty by Molly Dresser
Third Place: Youngster in the Snow by Jordan McLeland
HM: Waiting for a Meal by Laura McCartney
 Picture
HM: Muskrat Morning by Jared Lesniewicz
HM: Swallowtail on the Trail by Tajinder Singh
HM: Pika Getting Ready for Winter by Susan Puder

Teen Contest, Ages 13-17
Birds

First Place: Snowy Plover on a Cloudy Day by Justin Hartsell
Second Place: Pied-billed Grebe by Mia Pesci

Teen Contest, Ages 13-17
Landscapes & Plants

First Place: The Course Horizon by Jayden Kang
Second Place: Landscape at ONWR by Mia Pesci
Third Place: A Reflective Beauty by Timothy Lim
HM: Mount Rushmore by Brytin Fears

Teen Contest, Ages 13-17
Wildlife Other Than Birds

First Place: Deer in Field by Mia Pesci

Youth Contest, Ages 5-12

Birds
First Place: Bye Bye Birdie by Daniel Kang
Landscapes and Plants
First Place: Choose your Opponent - Petrified Wood or Tumbleweed by Daniel Kang
This photo contest is sponsored by the Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge.