Volo Bog State Natural Area announces 37th annual Nature Photo Contest winners
The winners of Volo Bog State Natural Area’s 37th Annual Nature Photo Contest were announced between music sets at the site’s Annual WinterFest on Jan. 21. The annual competition and show is presented each year by Volo Bog State Natural Area with support from the Friends of Volo Bog.
A record total of 203 entries submitted by 21 photographers (also a record) were entered in 10 categories. Visitors to the State Natural Area from Oct. 21 through Jan. 12 were asked to vote for their favorite in each category, and for their favorite overall. First-, second- and third-place ribbons are awarded to the top vote recipients in each category. Two Best-of-Show plaques are awarded: a People’s Choice and a Judges’ Award.
The Best of Show Judges’ Award was awarded to Bob Reynolds of Lake Barrington for “Palm Warbler.” The Best of Show People’s Choice went to Sari Nienaber of Kalamazoo, Michigan, for “Mushroom Galore.”
Category winners:
Color Birds
• First place: Michael Schmitt of Grayslake for “Cardinal Incoming”
• Second place: Sari Nienaber of Kalamazoo, Michigan, for “Knee Deep in Snow”
• Third place: Michael Schmitt of Grayslake for “Indigo Bunting”
Color Landscape
• First place: Bob Reynolds of Lake Barrington for “Autumn View”
• Second place: John Berwanger of Winnetka for “Standing Guard”
• Third place: Carl Stineman of Vernon Hills for “Moonrise Mirage”
Color Vertebrate OTB (Other Than Birds)
• First place: Bob Reynolds of Lake Barrington for “Duckweed Resident”
• Second place: Stacey Greenhill of Wheeling for “Coyote in the Snow”
• Third place: Paul McFadden of Crystal Lake for “I ‘Eared’ You the First Time”
Color Plant
• First place: Carl Stineman of Vernon Hills for “Spruce Cones”
• Second place: James Hojnacki of Hoffman Estates for “Turkey Tail”
• Third place: Carl Stineman of Vernon Hills for “Spring Beauties Opening”
Nature in My Neighborhood
• First place: Sari Nienaber of Kalamazoo, Michigan for “Mushroom Galore”
• Second place: Paula Hiller of Buffalo Grove for “Bridging the Season”
• Third place: Paul McFadden of Crystal Lake for “Four Off the Floor”
Black & White Animal
• First place: Michael Schmitt of Grayslake for “Sleepy Screech Owl”
• Second place: Jessica Lanners of Antioch for “Take Off”
• Third place: Michael Schmitt of Grayslake for “Mallard Chick”
Black & White Plant/Landscape
• First place: Anthony Roma of Gurnee for “Apostle Islands”
• Second place: Michael Schmitt of Grayslake for “Amnicon Winter Waterfall”
• Third place: John Berwanger of Winnetka for “Lotus & Bee”
Color Invertebrate
• First place: John Berwanger of Winnetka for “The Eyes Have It”
• Second place: Carl Stineman of Vernon Hills for “Bumblebee on Milkweed Flower”
• Third place: James Hojnacki of Hoffman Estates for “Lady on the Beach”
Beyond the Midwest Animals
• First place: Bob Reynolds of Lake Barrington for “Staying in School”
• Second place: Michael Schmitt of Grayslake for “Island Fox”
• Third place: Michael Schmitt of Grayslake for “Little Crab Living in a Log”
Beyond the Midwest Plants/Landscapes
• First place: Michael Schmitt of Grayslake for “Seascape”
• Second place: John Berwanger of Winnetka for “Giant ‘Egg’”
• Third place: Sari Nienaber of Kalamazoo, Michigan, for “Sunset at Valley of Fire”
Winners will be displayed in the State Natural Area’s Visitor Center through Sunday, March 3. They can also be viewed on the Friends of Volo Bog’s Facebook Page and on their website as well.
Volo Bog State Natural Area’s annual Nature Photo Contest runs from mid-October through the Friday preceding the second Sunday each January. Entry forms become available each September. Email dnr.volobog@illinois.gov to request more information about the contest.
The Friends of Volo Bog is a Not-for-Profit 501(c)(3) membership organization. Visit FriendsofVoloBog.org
Volo Bog State Natural Area is an Illinois Department of Natural Resources site located at 28478 W. Brandenburg Road, Ingleside. For information on the contest and other programs, contact Site Naturalist Stacy Iwanicki, at (815) 344-1294 or dnr.volobog@illinois.gov or visit dnr.illinois.gov/Parks/Pages/VoloBog.aspx.