Shutterbugs capture nature at Volo Bog
Volo Bog State Natural Area, the Friends of Volo Bog and the ShutterBugs of Volo Bog announced the winners of its 23rd annual Nature Photo Contest at Volo Bog's annual WinterFest Jan. 10.
Thirty-five people entered the contest with a total of 185 entries in seven categories. Visitors to the State Natural Area from Oct. 25 to Jan. 8, were asked to vote for their favorites in each category, and for their favorite overall. First-, second- and third-place ribbons were awarded to the top vote-getters. A plaque was awarded to first place in each category, as well as a Judges Award and the Best-of-Show.
The winning photos will be on display at Volo Bog SNA through Friday, March 12, and available for viewing from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday as staff and volunteers are available.
Awards were presented as follows:
• Best-of-Show — Popular Vote: Craig Moline of McHenry for “A Touch of Mist”
• Best-of-Show — Judges' Award: Craig Moline of McHenry for “Dragon Face”
Color Plant
• First place: Fran Tritthardt of Mundelein for “Busy Bee on Thistle”
• Second place: Kathy McDow of Wonder Lake for “Frosty Morning”
• Third place: Bob Williams of Huntley for “Blowing in the Wind”
Color Animal Invertebrate
• First place: Craig Moline of McHenry for “Dragon Face”
• Second place: Debbie Beller of Buffalo Grove for “Monarch on Aster”
• Third place: Mary Ellen Shine of Johnsburg for “Dewey Dragonfly”
Color Animal Vertebrate
• First place: Derek Hampson of Sylvan Lake for “Sixteen Kids”
• Second place: Mike Trahan of Mundelein for “A Cold Winter's Night”
• Third place: Alan Schwartzenberg of Glenview for “Wolves Crossing a Frozen Lake”
Color Landscape
• First place: Craig Moline of McHenry for “A Touch of Mist”
• Second place: Bob Williams of Huntley for “Sunrise Through the Pines”
• Third place: Christine Condon of McHenry for “Morning Dew”
Leave No Child Inside
• First place: Myrna Nelson of McHenry for “Searching for Carnivores: Bladderworts & Frogs”
• Second place: Fran Tritthardt of Mundelein for “Point of View”
• Third place: Julie Smith of Mayville, Wisconsin for “With the Big Boys”
Black & White
• First place: Bob Williams of Huntley for “Tree in Fog”
• Second place: Lori Dwyer of McHenry for “Pensive Portrait”
• Third place: Bob Williams of Huntley for “Strands of Pearls”
Alteration of Reality
• First place: Larry Bergmann of Village of Lakewood for “Out of the Mist”
• Second place: Craig Moline of McHenry for “Looking In”
• Third place: Debbie Beller of Buffalo Grove for “Reflections #1”
Volo Bog's photo contest runs from late October through the Friday preceding WinterFest which is held on the second Sunday each January. Entry forms become available each September.
The Friends of Volo Bog is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Visit friendsofvolobog.org
The ShutterBugs of Volo Bog meet at 7 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month in the Volo Bog Visitor Center.
Volo Bog State Natural Area is an Illinois Department of Natural Resources site located in Ingleside on Brandenburg Road west off U.S. Highway 12 between State Highways 120 and 134. For information on programs, contact Site Naturalist Stacy Iwanicki at (815) 344-1294 or dnr.volobog@illinois.gov or visit dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/parks/r2/volobog.htm.