Volo Bog’s 25th annual nature photo contest winners
The winners of the Volo Bog State Natural Area’s 25th annual nature photo contest were announced Jan. 8 between stories and music sets at Winterfest.
The annual competition and show is presented each year by Volo Bog State Natural Area, the Friends of Volo Bog and the Shutterbugs of Volo Bog.
Nineteen people entered the contest with a total of 143 entries in eight categories. Visitors to the State Natural Area’s Visitor Center from Oct. 19 to Jan. 6 voted for their favorites in each category and their favorite overall.
First-, second- and third-place ribbons were awarded to the top vote-getters in each category, plus first-, second- and third-place Youth Awards for photographers ages 16 and younger.
A plaque was awarded to first place in each category, as well as to the two Best of Shows — Peoples’ Choice and Judges’ Award.
The winners were:
Ÿ Best of Show — Peoples’ Choice: Mike Trahan of Mundelein for “Bond Falls, Michigan #1”
Ÿ Best of Show — Judges’ Award: Paul McFadden of Algonquin for “Snow Cones”
Color Plant
Ÿ First: Paul McFadden for “Snow Cones”
Ÿ Second: Mike Trahan for “Rising Sun”
Ÿ Third: Marie Caviness of Round Lake for “Water Lily”
Color Landscape
Ÿ First: Mike Trahan for “Bond Falls, Michigan #1”
Ÿ Second: Paul McFadden for “Scenic Drive Sunrise”
Ÿ Third: Debbie Salvesen of Buffalo Grove for “Natural Beauty”
Color Vertebrate
Ÿ First: Mike Trahan for “Cooper’s Hawk with Prey”
Ÿ Second: Paul McFadden for “Fish Sandwich”
Ÿ Third: Ray Eisbrener of Richmond for “Otter Boy”
Color Invertebrate
Ÿ First: Griffin Harris of Winnetka for “Spicebush Swallowtail Caterpillar”
Ÿ Second: Mike Trahan for “Me & My Shadow”
Ÿ Third: Joy Skyles of Lakemoor for “Landing Strip”
Beyond the Midwest
Ÿ First: Mike Trahan for “Mt. Rainier from Reflection Lake”
Ÿ Second: Mike Trahan for “Elegant Trogon in Madera Canyon”
Ÿ Third: Mike Trahan for “Badlands Sunset”
Black & White
Ÿ First: Jim Hill of Springfield for “Lake County, IL IX”
Ÿ Second: Bob Williams of Huntley for “webmaster”
Ÿ Third: Michael Schmitt of Grayslake for “Calm Regard”
Leave No Child Inside
Ÿ First: Bob Williams of Huntley for “First Catch”
Ÿ Second: Eva Shaughnessy of Johnsburg for “Burn-off Observers”
Ÿ Third: Joyce Mate of Johnsburg/San Diego for “Clare: Enjoying Glacial Park Wildflowers”
Alteration of Reality
Ÿ First: Mike Trahan for “Into the Sunset”
Ÿ Second: Debbie Beller of Buffalo Grove for “Reflections”
Ÿ Third: Deborah Salvesen for “Spotlight Performance”
Youth Awards
Ÿ First: Katie Santner of Genoa City, Wis., for “Golden Hour”
Ÿ Second: Katie Santner for “Macro Arachnid”
Ÿ Third: Kaitlyn Ball of Arlington Heights for “Prairie Landscape”
The winning photos will be on display at Volo Bog through Sunday, March 4, and available for viewing from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Visit www.FriendsofVoloBog.org
The Shutterbugs of Volo Bog meets at 7 p.m. 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 in Ingleside on Brandenburg Road, west off Route 12, between routes 120 and 134.
For details, call Stacy Iwanicki at (815) 344-1294 or visit dnr.volobog@illinois.gov or dnr.state.il.us/lands/Landmgt/PARKS/R2/VOLOBOG.HTM.