Winners of amateur nature photo contest announced
On Feb. 6, the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge held an official judging for its 30th annual “Ding” Darling Amateur Nature Photography Contest. The 2022 winners were to be announced in October at the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge’s inaugural Art in the Wild festival, but Hurricane Ian in September canceled the event and judging.
Judges selected three winners and 10 honorable mentions out of 140 entries from 22 states and three countries. All photograph entries were shot at the Sanibel refuge complex.
“Despite the disruption from Hurricane Ian, the contest generated much excitement and nostalgia among photographers and our judges,” contest coordinator and DDWS Associate Executive Director Sierra Hoisington said. “Our refuge may not look the same as it did when these photos were created, but the wildlife is still here, and nature’s resilience promises to return to its former beauty captured in these works.”
First place went to Frank Brinker of Oberageri, Switzerland, for his portrait of a least tern hatchling titled “Speedy.”
“I love the movement portrayed in this photo,” contest judge and refuge Ranger Jessica Barry said. “During a dark time of Sanibel, to me this photo signifies hope and a new beginning.”
In second place was Scott Becque of Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, with a photograph of an anhinga titled “Azure Eye Ring.”
“The gleam of his striped feathers caught my eye first,” judge Carrie Harmon, executive development and outreach assistant for the DDWS, said. “The longer I looked, the more the bouquet of black and white feathers he was so carefully preening seemed to come alive with color. I could see the rainbow in the small feathers atop his head. This photo spoke to me of the nuances of nature and what you can find when you look a little closer.”
Scott Davidow of Bayside, New York, took third place with “The Whimsical River Otter.”
“The otter is posing for the picture and does not seem afraid or wary of the photographer,” DDWS business office manager and judge Joy Robertson said. “I believe our animal friends will allow us into their environment if we show respect and patience.”
The winners received cash awards from the DDWS: $300 for first place, $225 for second place and $175 for third place. Each honorable mention winner received a $25 award, which reflects a refund of the contest entry fee.
The honorable mentions included:
• Tamara Barry-Peebles of Vancouver, Washington, for “Turtle Trio”
• Constance Bauer of Sanibel, for “Sunshine on a Cloudy Day”
• Calum Bruce of Glasgow, Scotland, for “Mellow Yellow”
• Rebecca Clemens of Sanibel, for “Spotted!”
• Heidi Dirkse of Wolverine, Michigan, for “The Strike”
• Paul Harmon of Sanibel, for “Restful Pondering”
• Linda Normoyle of Fort Myers, for “Silky”
• Conrad Peloquin of Walnut Creek, California, for “Tip Dip”
• Fred Ryckman of Sanibel, for “Sipping in the Afternoon Sunshine”
• Jeanne Tunnell Swope of Berwyn, Pennsylvania, for “Struttin’ My Stuff”
Once the refuge’s Visitor & Education Center reopens, the winners and honorable mention award photographs will be on display throughout the year.
View all of top-ranking entries.