NCWF Announces 7th Annual Photo Contest Winners

Winner – Critters: Ryan Imperio. After a summer storm passed, I decided to make the most of the evening and headed to nearby Lake Crabtree in Morrisville. When I arrived, I spotted a great blue heron standing within a cloud of steam and beautifully backlit by the setting Sun’s warm glow. I watched quietly, photographing the bird as it moved along the water’s edge. At one point, it paused to scratch its neck while also raising the feathers on top of its head, a unique and interesting moment that I was fortunate enough to capture.

Winner – People: Hailey Nelms. “The day I took this photo, we were walking the game lands along the Northeast Cape Fear, adjacent to Sledge Forest – an old growth forest at risk of being developed. I encourage everyone to pay attention to what’s happening in your local area and advocate for what you believe in. Even now, this little pine makes me optimistic for the future. Save Sledge Forest. “

Winner – Pollinators and Insects: Jacob Long. This photo was taken at a small pond on my family’s property, a chance encounter that stopped me in my tracks. I was drawn to the delicate pose of the mayfly and wanted to see if I could position myself to capture its reflection without scaring it off. The way the iridescent colors of the wings stood out really struck me. Moments like this remind me that even the smallest and most ephemeral of God’s creatures have a beauty and purpose worth noticing. When we take the time to slow down and truly look, we find wonder in the lives that often go unseen.

Winner – Scenes: Annie Lazo. This was an incredible and unforgettable night. We sat on the dew-soaked grass atop the bald in the Roan Highlands – capturing waves of synchronous fireflies as they lit up the dark, all while the stars and Milky Way stretched across the sky.

Winner – Youth: Shreyes Chalasani. “I was fortunate enough to spot a young box turtle in my backyard as it was drinking from a puddle of water inside a collapsed flower pot. I ran inside to get my camera gear and patiently waited for it to finish drinking. Once it saw me, it immediately retracted back into its shell. If I were to pick it up it would take much longer for it to reveal its face, so I got into the prone position in front of the turtle with my macro lens, and held my flash at the perfect angle, waiting for it to lower its hinged shell just slightly. While I wanted a photo of the turtle’s face, it never fully extended out of its shell, and I was left with an underexposed and poorly illuminated shot of it. However, I saw the photo had potential as the flash was able to illuminate just the eyes, and I was able to walk away with this unique photograph. Those who are patient with and prioritize an animal’s well-being during photography will walk away with photos that exceed any expectations and easily fulfill all photography goals.”

Honorable Mention – Critters: John-Andrew Lovins. Getting into Cataloochee Valley before sunrise can be a tall order, but getting to watch the resident elk start their day in the pre-dawn light is a unique and magical experience for fans of N.C. wildlife!

Honorable Mention – Pollinators: Barb Case. I am an ethical wildlife photographer always watching for wildlife behavior. These two Ruby-throated hummingbirds were definitely unhappy about both of them looking for nectar on the same plant in my backyard. I watched and photographed their bickering until one of them gave up and flew away!

Honorable Mention – People: Mark Kwiatkowski.

Honorable Mention – Scenes: Chris Cotton. “After waking up at 3:00 in the morning to catch the sunrise along the Blue Ridge Parkway, I drove the 3 hours from Charlotte with my fingers crossed that I had picked the right morning for a blue ridge sunrise. To my luck, the valley floor in Pisgah National Forest was blanketed with a layer of fog when I arrived. Once the sun rose above the distant mountains, its light pierced through the trees, casting beautiful rays across the quickly burning fog. It was an awe inspiring spectacle to watch and made the early morning drive more than worth it!”

Honorable Mention – Youth: Finn Tyrrell. “I’ve always loved wildlife and photography, but it was just a few years ago that I really started to get involved with it. Then, near the beginning of this year, I participated in an ecology class (homeschool) with some friends. We spent a lot of time in the field, and that’s when I found my favorite subject: adorable, fascinating, beautiful birds. This particular photo doesn’t have much of a backstory from me, but from the bird’s perspective it shows a moment in the midst of a spring rain, resting before grabbing a snack at the feeders and fleeing to find shelter elsewhere. And I love that.”