Lutherville Photographer Wins Grand Prize in Annual Photo Contest

Fan Favorite Winner to be Chosen on Facebook

Snowy Egrets Sparring by Mitch Adolph

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has announced the winners of the 2016 Natural Resources Photo Contest, with the grand prize going to Mitch Adolph of Lutherville for his excellent action photo of sparring egrets on Assateague Island.

This year’s grand prize package includes $500, a 2017 Maryland State Park and Trail Passport, a five-year subscription to the Maryland Natural Resource magazine and five copies of the 2017 calendar with the winning image gracing the cover.

“We offer our congratulations to the winners and thank every photographer for submitting their work to the contest,” Natural Resource Secretary Mark Belton said. “What better way to engage with the natural world than to take your camera out and immerse yourself in the great outdoors to capture unique moments as they unfold before you?”

Two hundred and forty-four photographers submitted a new record total of 1,421 photos in this year’s contest. In addition to the overall grand prize winner, the judges selected first through third place winners in four seasonal categories—winter, spring, summer and fall.

Still to be determined is the fan favorite, which will be chosen by popular opinion on the department’s Facebook page. “Like” your pick between now and the end of September.

The first prize category winners in the four categories will receive a passport, a two-year magazine subscription and five copies of the calendar. Second place winners will receive a one-year magazine subscription and five copies of the calendar. Third place and fan-favorite winners will receive a copy of the calendar. All winners and the fan favorite will have their images published in the 2017 wall calendar.

Here are the winners of the 2016 Maryland Natural Resources Photo Contest:

Grand Prize: Snowy Egrets Sparring by Mitch Adolph

Winter:

1st place: Robin in Holly Tree by Christine Edwards
2nd place: In the Mist by Cindy Stegle
3rd place: Casselman River Bridge by KatieMosteller

Spring:

1st place: Colors of Spring by Tim Ray
2nd place: Royal Guard by Duane Tucker
3rd place: Bloodroot Herald of Spring by Martha Johnston

Summer:

1^st place: Snowy Egrets Sparring by Mitch Adolph
2^nd place: Jumping Spider on Fleabane by Larry Helms
3^rd place: Brown Pelican Chicks in Nest by Mitch Adolph

Fall:

1st place: Blue on a Lid by Joe Subolefsky
2nd place: Morning Requiem by Santosh Shanmuga
3rd place: Fall in Western Maryland by Pamela Brumbley

View all of the winning photos here, and be sure to vote for your fan favorite until midnight Sept. 30, 2016.