Volo Bog announces 33rd Annual Nature Photo Contest winners
The winners of Volo Bog State Natural Area's 33rd Annual Nature Photo Contest were announced between music sets at Volo Bog's Annual WinterFest Jan. 12.
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.
A total of 169 entries were entered in eight categories. Visitors to the State Natural Area from Oct. 26 to Jan. 11 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 in each category. A plaque was awarded to first place in each category, as well as to the two Bests-of-Show: People's Choice and Judges' Award.
Awards were presented as follows:
Best-of-Show Winners:
• People's Choice: Michael Schmitt of Grayslake, "Reddish Egret"
• Judges' Award: Gary Edwards of Round Lake Beach, "Quiet Reflection"
Category winners:
• Color Plant: First place: Patrick Lucas of Vernon Hills for "Sunbathing"; Second place: Stacey Greenhill of Wheeling for "Spider Wort"; Third place: Sarah Johnston of Crystal Lake for "The Bright Side"
• Beyond the Midwest: First place: Michael Schmitt of Grayslake for "Reddish Egret"; Second place: Joseph Norton of Huntley for "Winter Tiger"; Third place: Joseph Norton of Huntley for "Rocky Mountain Coyote Howl"
• Black & White: First place: Stacey Greenhill of Wheeling for "Intense Focus"; Second place: Anthony Roma of Gurnee for "Gentle Falls"; Third place: Michael Schmitt of Grayslake for "Great Egret"
• Color Invertebrate: First place: Paul McFadden of Crystal Lake for "I Prey Daily"; Second place: Michael Schmitt of Grayslake for "Covered in Pollen"; Third place: Michael Schmitt of Grayslake for "Orange & Purple"
• Color Birds: First place: Paul McFadden of Crystal Lake for "I Like to Lean on My Brother"; Second place: Laura Hedien of Grayslake for "Breakfast for Two?"; Third place (tie): Paul McFadden of Crystal Lake for "Pied-billed Grebe Chicks" and Laura Hedien of Grayslake for "Hoping for a Fumble"
• Color Landscape: First place: Anthony Roma of Gurnee for "Pictured Rock Rainbow"; Second place: Paul McFadden of Crystal Lake for "Black Puddle Dog"; Third place: Gary Edwards of Round Lake Beach for "Cave Point Shoreline"
• Color Vertebrate: First place: Anthony Roma of Gurnee for "Sharing the Love"; Second place: Gary Edwards of Round Lake Beach for "You've Got My Attention"; Third place: Joseph Norton of Huntley for "Backyard Coyote"
• Human-Nature Interface: First place: Gary Edwards of Round Lake Beach for "Quiet Reflection"; Second place: Ted Wollert of Island Lake for "Red Fox"; Third place: Michael Schmitt of Grayslake for "Cardinal on a Fence Rail"
The winning photos will be on display at Volo Bog State Natural Area through Sunday, March 22, and available for viewing from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
Volo Bog's annual Nature Photo Contest runs from mid-October through the Friday preceding WinterFest, which is held the second (or occasionally third) Sunday each January. Entry forms become available each September.
For more information about the contest, email dnr.volobog@illinois.gov.
The Shutterbugs of Volo Bog meets at 7 p.m. the third Wednesday of each month in the Volo Bog Visitor Center. Visit www.ShutterBugsofVoloBog.com.
The Friends of Volo Bog is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) membership organization. Visit www.FriendsofVoloBog.org.
Volo Bog State Natural Area is an Illinois Department of Natural Resources site at 28478 W. Brandenburg Road, Ingleside.
For more information on the contest and other programs, contact Site Naturalist Stacy Iwanicki at (815) 344-1294 or dnr.volobog@illinois.gov, or visit www.dnr.illinois.gov/Parks/Pages/VoloBog.aspx.