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DuPage Forest Preserve District announces photo contest winners

Winners selected from more than 4,000 entries in forest preserve photo contest

The results are in and the images are stunning.

The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County has announced four winners of its Take 5 photo contest, selected from more than 4,000 entries.

The object of the eight-week contest was for people to show what five minutes in a DuPage forest preserve meant for them. The images showed plants, animals, people, buildings, landscapes and other forest preserve features that captured the photographers' imaginations. Four photographers and five random-drawing winners received outdoor recreation-related prizes.

"To say we were thrilled by the number and quality of entries in the contest would be an understatement," forest district President Joe Cantore said. "It's no secret the forest preserves are picture-perfect places to unwind, relax, exercise and reconnect with loved ones, but contestants showed us our forest preserves mean more to them than we ever could have imagined."

"It has been so rewarding to share our visitors' experiences and see what they find worthwhile to capture in photos from their outdoor adventures," said Forest Preserve District Commissioner Linda Painter, District 3.

Three photographers won awards based on technical merit, visual appeal and category appropriateness as determined by district staff with expertise in photography and backgrounds in journalism, marketing and natural resources.

• Mia Majetschak of Woodridge won grand prize for her photograph of a bullfrog at St. James Farm Forest Preserve in Warrenville.

"The wonders of nature at our forest preserves bring pure joy and happiness," said Majetschak, who won a paddling package with a one-person kayak, paddle and life jacket.

• Kevin Rodde from Westmont won the plants, animals and scenery category with his black-and-white image of a dragonfly taken at Pratt's Wayne Woods Forest Preserve in Wayne. He often stops by the preserves before work and during his lunch break.

"I find that taking that time to relax and get into nature helps me separate myself from the hustle and bustle of my high-stress job," Rodde said.

He won a four-person tent and a tandem sleeping bag.

• Debbie Yaun of Wheaton won the people, places and things to do category with a photograph of three children with fishing gear in hand at Herrick Lake Forest Preserve in Wheaton, which she took during her children's first fishing outing.

"Our trio enjoys watching the boats at Herrick Lake, and I enjoy watching their sibling bond grow," said Yaun, who won weather-resistant binoculars and a field guide.

A fourth photographer, Hanover Park resident Anna Sprague, won the voter's choice award for being the top vote-getter on the district's website and Facebook page. Her sunset at Mallard Lake Forest Preserve in Hanover Park received nearly 2,000 votes.

"The peacefulness of the setting sun over Mallard Lake every night with its beautiful reflections is like meditation to me," said Sprague, who won an assortment of fishing gear.

In addition to the four main prizes, the following went to five random-drawing winners: Brianna Donato of Carol Stream won a private group horse-drawn hayride at the district's Kline Creek Farm in West Chicago; Guy Moeller of Lombard won a free round of golf for two at the district's Maple Meadows Golf Course in Wood Dale; Enver Ajdin of Wheaton won a hiking package with a $100 Cabela's gift card and a walking stick; Frank Padilla of Bloomingdale won a picnic package with an insulated Coleman backpack cooler and two camping chairs; and Kathy Mallo of Elmhurst won a free rowboat rental at Blackwell Forest Preserve near Warrenville.

The Take 5 photo contest was an offshoot of the district's Take 5 in a DuPage Forest Preserve campaign, which promotes the physical and psychological benefits of time spent outdoors. Studies show that as little as five minutes in nature can improve your mood and reduce stress; 10 minutes of sunshine can help fight osteoporosis, and connecting with nature for one hour can boost memory by 20 percent.

The Daily Herald Media Group and Cabela's sponsored the photo contest through in-kind contributions.

Anna Sprague of Hanover Park won the voter's choice award for being the top vote-getter on the DuPage Forest District's website and Facebook page for her photo of a sunset at Mallard Lake Forest Preserve in Hanover Park.
Debbie Yaun of Wheaton won the people, places and things to do category with a photograph of three children with fishing gear in hand at Herrick Lake Forest Preserve in Wheaton.
Kevin Rodde of Westmont won the plants, animals and scenery category with his black-and-white image of a dragonfly taken at Pratt's Wayne Woods Forest Preserve in Wayne.
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