WAYNE KLIEWER Wayne Kliewer, of Clinton, New Jersey, took first place for his portrait of a roseate spoonbill titled “Pretty in Pink.”

On Sept. 19, the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge (DDWS) held the official judging for its 32nd annual “Ding” Darling Amateur Nature Photography Contest. It recently announced the 2024 winners.

Judges selected three winners and nine honorable mentions out of 81 entries from 15 states and two countries. All entries were shot at the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge complex. The judges included a refuge staffer, photographer/artist and member of the Sanibel community.

“Despite the decrease in refuge visitors from Hurricane Ian’s ongoing after-effects, the contest generated much excitement and nostalgia among photographers and our judges,” contest coordinator and DDWS Manager of Events, Marketing and Communication April Boehnen said. “The photographers found our resilient wildlife and enduring beauty once again.”

First place went to Wayne Kliewer, of Clinton, New Jersey, for his portrait of a roseate spoonbill titled “Pretty in Pink.”

“The composition is wonderful, the spoonbill’s expression is contemplative, and the wonderful blurred reflection finishes off this beautiful photo,” judge and Breeze Newspapers/Islander-Reporter Senior Advertising Account Executive Mark Martens said.

CONRAD PELOQUIN Conrad Peloquin, of Walnut Creek, California, came in second with a photograph of flamingos titled “Anyone Know Where We Are Going?”

In second place was Conrad Peloquin, of Walnut Creek, California, with a photograph of flamingos titled “Anyone Know Where We Are Going?”

“Pink flamingos in flight is an incredible sight,” judge Elizabeth Simler, a community member and refuge volunteer, said. “The blue, blue water as a backdrop for their gorgeousness makes this photo vibrant. I hope to see these visitors come back often to the refuge.”

April Sue Billings, of Taneytown, Maryland, took third place with “I Hide Nothing!”

“The osprey is showing us how resilient they are, like Sanibel Island,” judge and refuge Urban Ranger Yvette Carrasco said.

The winners received cash awards from the DDWS: $300 for first place, $225 for second place and $175 for third place. Each honorable mention winner received a $25 award, which reflects a refund of the contest entry fee.

APRIL SUE BILLINGS April Sue Billings, of Taneytown, Maryland, won third place with her “I Hide Nothing!” osprey portrait.

The honorable mentions included:

– Iris Aloia, of Sanibel, for “Mr. Halloween”

– Scott Becque, of Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, for “Gotcha”

– Kathleen Colligan, of Beach Lake, Pennsylvania, for “Flamboyant Flamingos”

– Heidi Dirkse, of Wolverine, Michigan, for “Changing Colors”

– J. Nicholas Linsmayer, of Sanibel, for “My Very Lucky Day”

– Sara McVey, of Sanibel, for “I Feel Pretty, Oh So Pretty”

– Vince Thomalla, of Marshfield, Wisconsin, for “Beats Me?”

– Ben Vanos, of Petoskey, Michigan, for “Spoonbill Stretch”

– Gretchen Wilson, of Amherst, New Hampshire, for “Doing the Dew”

– Nate Arnold, of Florida, for “The Strut”

The winning photographs and honorable mention award entries will be on display in the refuge’s Visitor & Education Center throughout the year. However, it is currently closed for hurricane repairs.

To view all of the top-ranking entries, visit dingdarlingsociety.org/photo-contests. The page also contains information on the 2025 photo contest. The deadline for submissions will be Sept. 15, 2025.

The J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge is at 1 Wildlife Drive, Sanibel.