A look back at some of our best Photo Finish pictures of the year

Mother Nature, it seems, is pretty darn photogenic.

You can take her picture from almost any angle and come away with a spectacular view that accents her assets, masks her blemishes and leaves you wanting more.

Her stunning good looks are hardly a secret to the many photographers who entered our weekly Photo Finish contest in 2013. Looking back on the monthly winners — who each scored a $50 gift certificate from PJ’s Camera in Glen Ellyn — it’s pretty obvious Ms. Nature played a starring role in their success.

The winning entries featured birds, praying mantises and mountain goats. There were sunsets and flowers and mountains. There was a windmill in a windswept plain.

Indeed, the only monthly winner that didn’t draw its inspiration from nature was a picture of trumpets in a marching band.

So enjoy a look back at some of the best pictures our readers submitted over the past year. We hope you enjoy the view.

And, of course, we hope you’ll participate in our contest in 2014. If you’d like to submit a photo for consideration in our weekly contest, simply email it in .jpg format with at least 300 dpi resolution to dupagecontest@dailyherald.com.