Volo Bog announces nature photo contest winners

The winners of Volo Bog State Natural Area's 32nd Annual Nature Photo Contest were announced between music sets at Volo Bog's Annual WinterFest in January.

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 93 entries were entered in seven categories. Visitors to the state natural area from Oct. 27 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: Peoples' Choice and Judges' Award.

Awards were presented as follows:

Best of Show Winners:

• Peoples' Choice: Stacey Greenhill of Wheeling for "Predator Equipment"

• Judges' Award: Jenny Kalter of Antioch for "Hanging with Mom"

Color Vertebrate Category

• First place: Michael Schmitt of Grayslake for "Landing Reflections"

• Second place: Stacey Greenhill of Wheeling for "Predator Equipment"

• Third place: Michael Schmitt of Grayslake for "Hooded Merganser"

Color Plant Category

• First place: Paul McFadden of Crystal Lake for "Butterfly Weed Explosion"

• Second place: James Hojnacki of Hoffman Estates for "Jack-o'-lantern Mushrooms"

• Third place: Paul McFadden of Crystal Lake for "Angel Wings"

Color Invertebrate Category

• First place: Stacey Greenhill of Wheeling for "Monarch Migration"

• Second place: Stacey Greenhill of Wheeling for "Monarch"

• Third place: Jenny Kalter of Antioch for "Iridescence"

Black and White Category

• First place: Michael Schmitt of Grayslake for "Wood Duck in the Snow"

• Second place: Paul McFadden of Crystal Lake for "Black & White"

• Third place: Michael Schmitt of Grayslake for "Black-throated Green Warbler"

Human-Nature Interface Category Category

• First place: Michael Schmitt of Grayslake for "The Getaway"

• Second place: Phyllis VanDyke of McHenry for "Alluring Ride"

• Third place: Paul McFadden of Crystal Lake for "What Bale?"

Color Landscape Category

• First place: Phyllis VanDyke of McHenry for "Crystal Waters"

• Second place: Paul McFadden of Crystal Lake for "Senior Citizens"

• Third place: James Hojnacki of Hoffman Estates for "Water's Edge"

Beyond the Midwest

• First place: Jennie Kalter of Antioch for "Hanging with Mom"

• Second place: Michael Schmitt of Grayslake for "X Marks the Spot"

• Third place: Michael Schmitt of Grayslake for "Atlantic Puffins"

The winning photos will be on display at Volo Bog through Sunday, March 24, and available for viewing from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.

Volo Bog State Natural Area's annual Nature Photo Contest runs from mid-October through the Friday preceding WinterFest, which is held the second (or occasionally the third) Sunday each January. Entry forms become available each September.

The Friends of Volo Bog is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) membership organization. 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. Visit www.ShutterBugsofVoloBog.com.

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 www.dnr.illinois.gov/Parks/Pages/VoloBog.aspx.