DDWS announces annual photo contest winners
The “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge announced the winners of its 29th annual “Ding” Darling Day Amateur Nature Photography Contest on Nov. 16 with a special presentation on its Facebook page and emails sent to participants, along with a short video showcasing the winners.
On Nov. 8, the judges had selected three winners and eight honorable mentions out of 118 entries from 18 states and two countries. All photograph entries were shot at the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge complex on Sanibel.
“As this year comes to an end, we start to reflect on what we are thankful for. For us here at ‘Ding,’ nature always seems to be at the top of that list,” contest coordinator and DDWS Development Officer Sierra Hoisington said. “This photo contest is a reminder to all of us as to how gentle, constant, and gracious our wildlife and wild spaces are. We acknowledge that the peace and solitude we feel at the refuge is shared by many and has the power to bring us all together.”
First place went to Doug Meurer, of Fort Myers, for his portrait titled “Roseate Spoonbill & Reddish Egret.”
“I love the colorful and playful nature of this photograph, as well as the variety of subject matter and the action it portrays,” judge and Refuge Manager Kevin Godsea said.
In second place was Kathleen Colligan, of Bokeelia, with her photograph titled “Tri-colored Heron with its Reflection.”
“I particularly am drawn to the dark and light contrast in this photo, the composition, the framing of the mangrove branches, and the reflections on the water,” judge and part-time Sanibel resident Karen Watson said.
Donald Howe, of Savannah, Georgia, took third place with a photo of snowy egret drinking water, titled “Blowin’ Bubbles.”
“I like the contrast between the dark water and the white feathers of the snowy egret, as well as the photograph’s composition,” judge and refuge volunteer Susan Beittel, who subbed for photojournalist Kinfay Moroti when he had to cancel that day for medical reasons, said.
“We always choose three judges for the contest,” emeritus DDWS Board Member Terry Baldwin, who coordinates the contest with Hoisington, said. “They include a refuge staff member, a professional photographer and a member of the Sanibel community.”
The winners received cash awards from the DDWS: $300 for first place, $225 for second place and $175 for third place. In addition, each honorable mention winner received a $25 award, which reflects a refund of their contest entry fee. Due to three ties this year, only eight honorable mentions were chosen after eliminating second entries by the same photographer to break the ties.
The honorable mentions included:
– Rebecca Clemens, of Sanibel, for “A Simple Touch”
– William “Bill” Fischer, of Sanibel, for “Mangrove Cuckoo”
– Stephen Hilger, of Sanibel, for “Great Blue”
– Scott Joffe, of Highland Beach, for “I Better Tell Her”
– Gail Markham, of Fort Myers, for “Roseate Spoonbill”
– Barry Nagle, of South Barrington, Illinois, for “White Morph Joins the Fun”
– Frank Wickstrom, of Bonita Springs, for “Eye to Eye”
The winning photographs and honorable mention award entries will be on display in the refuge’s Visitor & Education Center throughout the year, once it reopens.
To view the other top-ranking entries, visit dingdarlingsociety.org/articles/photo-contests. Site visitors will also find information on entering the 2022 contest, which has a Sept. 15 submission deadline.