Our first of two photo contests for the Year of the Okefenokee has now been completed and the winning images are fantastic! We would like to start by thanking all those who participated. Your participation not only helped the GNPA and GA Sierra Club, it also helped shine a light on the Okefenokee, a true Georgia gem. The images winning first place in each of the four categories are featured above, and below you’ll find a list of all winners in each category. The First through Third Place winners will receive gift cards according to their place as per the contest description. Thanks so much to Amy Gulick for lending us her expertise and talent as our judge. Make sure to keep your camera clicking and your eyes peeled for the Second Okefenokee centered photo contest scheduled for November of this year. The judge for that contest will be renowned nature/conservation photographer, Peter Essick.

The winning images in the Landscape category:

First Place “Setting” by Stephen Weiss

Second Place “Black Water Reflections” by Chris Dahl

Third Place “The Heavens Smile on the Swamp” by Bill Lutin

Honorable Mention “The Golden Hour” by James Squires

The winning images in the Animals category:

First Place “Northern Parula” by Pete Followill

Second Place ” Mama is that You” by Gary Bowlick

Third Place ”Jump” by Stephen Weiss

Honorable Mention “Asp” by Stephen Weiss

Honorable Mention “American Bittern” by Pete Followill

The winning images in the Plants category:

First Place “Swamp Spear Thistle” by Janet Newton

Second Place “Hooded Pitcher Plant 2” by Myrtie Cope

Third Place “Waterlily” by Gary Bowlick

Honorable Mention “Thistle Flower 1” by Jimmy Day

Honorable Mention “Botanical Fractals” Bill Lutin

The winning images in the People in Nature category:

First Place “Tourists?!?!  I LOVE Tourists” by Bill Lutin

Second Place “Paddling Away” by Gary Bowlick

Third Place “Making Waves in the Swamp” by Traci Dickson