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.
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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.
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. |
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
1st Place: "Winter Limpkin", Timothy J Chio
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2nd Place: "Moment In Time" by Tony Everhardt |
3rd Place: "Glamour Shot" by Ryan Lesniewicz
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Five honorable mentions were selected in the Birds Category. *Click the photos to view larger*
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. |
HM: "Snack Time", Sherri Winegardner
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LANDSCAPES & PLANTS
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
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Three Honorable Mentions were selected in the Landscapes and Plants Category. *Click the photos to view larger*
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
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PEOPLE ENJOYING NATURE
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 |
3rd Place: "Enjoying the Sunset - Lake Superior" by Joy O'Donnell
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Three Honorable Mentions were selected in the People Enjoying Nature Category. *Click the photos to view larger*
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
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WILDLIFE OTHER THAN BIRDS
1st Place: "The Stare" by Molly Dresser
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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
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HM: "Stop to See: Intricacies" by Joan Pearse
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HM: "Morning Stroll" by Tony Everhardt
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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
"Sunrise Rabbit"
by Mia Pesci
Youth Contest, Ages 5-12
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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.
