Daily Herald photo contest winners for March 2026

Topping this month’s contest is Sue Lindell’s striking snapshot of the craggy face of a turtle next to delicate yellow blooms. The Des Plaines resident writes, “I like the contrast of the ancient prehistoric face with the new spring flowers. It’s nice to find a variety of wildlife here in the suburbs.”

In second place, Matthew Davis’ tranquil photo captures the reflection of the sky across the wet sand while shorebirds cross the beach. The Elgin resident writes, “The silhouettes of the birds, the diverse colors of the sky, and the crashing ocean waves stand out in this photograph, taken in New Smyrna Beach, Florida.”

Coming in third is Kelley S. Dorner’s amazing photo of the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels during America’s Air Show in San Diego. The Grayslake resident writes, “Their F/A-18 E/F Super Hornets fly between 400-700 mph during the season’s shows. In some formations, they are only 18 inches apart. The precision and power of the pilots and aircraft are jaw-dropping … although their cheerful songs are less a chirp and more of a roar!”

Rita Boserup comes in fourth with a remarkable photo of an atmospheric phenomenon generally caused by an airplane moving through banks of altocumulus clouds. “I've never seen cloud patterns like what is in the picture, so very unusual.” The Glen Ellyn resident jokes, “The group I was with discussed what could be causing this cloud pattern and we came up with that it must be aliens!”

Contest rules

The Daily Herald invites readers to submit their own photos to our “Your Images” amateur photo contest.

Once a month, we showcase entries that feature one first-place winner and three runners-up. The contest is open to everyone in the Daily Herald readership area.

• To submit a photo of your own for consideration, email it in .jpg format at highest quality possible to yourimages@dailyherald.com. Please remove any date stamps on the photo.

• Include your name, mailing address and phone number, plus a detailed description of your photo. Remember to include a sentence or two on what you like about it and your hometown.

• One photo a week per photographer, but enter as many weeks as you’d like.

• First-place winners will receive prizes alternating between The Great Frame Up in Schaumburg and PJ’s Camera in Glen Ellyn.