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Maryland DNR Announces 2026 Photo Contest Winners

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has chosen the winners of the annual Maryland Natural Resource Photo Contest, with the grand prize, and first place in the spring category, going to Kyle Smith for his photo of a remarkable moment in nature – an Eastern Whip-poor-will on a branch while a squirrel sneaks up behind it.

Bird on a branch while a squirrel sneaks up behind itKyle Smith – Right Behind You

“The squirrel kept inching closer, sniffing the whole time, until it was right next to the bird,” Smith wrote in his entry to the photo contest. This year’s contest received more than 1,000 photo submissions, which were judged by a panel of DNR wildlife and photography experts.

For winning the grand prize, Smith will receive a $700 cash prize, a Maryland State Park and Trail Passport, free entry into next year’s contest, and five copies of the 2027 calendar with the winning image displayed on the cover. 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.

First place winners for the three remaining seasons (other than the grand prize winner) will receive $100, a ​Maryland State Park Passport, and five copies of the 2027 calendar. Second place winners for each season will receive five copies of the calendar.

Still to be determined is the Fan Favorite, which will be chosen by popular opinion on the department’s Facebook page. Followers are encouraged to “like” their pick when the photos are posted on September 16, with votes taken through close of business on September 30. The Fan Favorite wins a one-year Maryland State Park Passport and three copies of the calendar.​​

Every winner and the Fan Favorite will have their images published in the department’s 2027 annual calendar, which will be available for sale later in the fall.

The winners of the 2026 Maryland Natural Resource Photo Contest are below; larger images of the photos can be found on this online gallery.

Other First Place Winners:

First Place Summer

an oyster catcher by a sand castleAmerican Sandcastlebuilder – Matt Felperin

 

First Place Fall

Chubby looking great horned owl

Great Horned Owl – Brian Reidy

First Place Winter

Tiger salamander on a bed of fall leavesNight of the Wanderer – Matt Felperin

Second Place Winners

Second Place Spring

The Milky Way galaxy above a lakeThe Sky Does Not Keep Time – Greg Hollows 

Second Place Summer

Mountain range during sunrise with fog in the valleysSunrise – David Brandes

 

Second Place Fall

Elk Neck Light on the cliffs overlooking the Elk River in autumnGuardian of the North – Christopher Szumlanski

Second Place Winter

Red-winged blackbird on a post with smoke coming out of his mouth because of the coldRed-winged Blackbird at BWNWR – Scott Warner

 

Third Place Winners

Third Place Spring

A willet, a brown shorebird, scooping up a small clam.Willet eating a crab – Mike Saccone

Third Place Summer

Green heron eating a frogOne last leap – Scott Warner

Third Place Fall

Line of geese flying with the sunset behind themMorning Flight – Ingrid Brown

Third Place Winter

Woodpecker and a flickr go at it in flight by the side of a treeFamily squabble – George Borden

Fan Favorites

Fireflies against a starlit sky

Fireflies Dancing Under The Stars Robert Fawcett

Green snake pokes its head out of a collection of pink flowers

Rough Green Snake in the Rose Creek – Samuel Sather

aurora behind a barn on a dark night

Montjoy Barn and Aurora
Stephen Talabac

 

American bittern, a small brown and white shorebird moves along a salt marsh

American Bittern Posing in Salt Marsh – Mike Saccone
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