MILTON, Del. - Rehoboth Beach resident Sharon Denny has won Best in Show in the 19th annual Friends of Prime Hook Wildlife Refuge Nature Photography Contest.
Her entry, titled "Breakfast to Go," depicts a snowy egret in flight. The story began when a neighbor urged her to take pictures of a flock of birds at the nearby pond in a feeding frenzy. Instead of wading in the water, the birds were swooping down over the water to pluck fish from it. Funny enough, Denny, a retired journalist, almost didn't take the photo.
"I needed more pictures of white birds like a hole in the head," she said.
Judges comments said it was well composed and well lit, and they praised the color and sense of movement. This winning entry and many other awards were announced at the contest reception on Oct. 15.
Over 200 photographs were submitted in six different categories by 38 photographers. Though many submissions were local, photographers from as far away as Alabama and Georgia were entered, though the contest is limited to photos taken on Delmarva.
"Aside from the technical aspects of composition, focus and exposure, I think a good photograph is one that is able to evoke an emotional response from the viewer. A photograph that makes you feel something is one that has succeeded," said Robert Brown, who won in the native birds category with his detailed photo of an eastern bluebird caught in a rainstorm. "A photograph tells a story without a single word and every photo can be interpreted differently by anyone who looks at it... It is a relaxing and creative outlet for me and changes the way I see things."
Prime Hook Wildlife Refuge Nature Photography Contest winners
The Friends of Prime Hook Wildlife Refuge Nature Photography Contest was open to photographers of all ages in the summer. Submissions were due in early October in categories like Delmarva scenery, native birds, native plants and flowers and more.
Robert Brown's "Rainy Day Bluebird" won the Native Birds competition. Courtesy Friends of Prime Hook.
"For me, photography comes from the heart," said Matthew Trucks, whose photo of an incoming storm won in the Beauty of Prime Hook category. "The task to compose a scene or capture the right angle just flows. It enables the ability to share my experience with others. The composition is alive and brings the emotional feeling of actually being there at that place and that time."
Photos from the contest will be on display at the Prime Hook Wildlife Refuge Auditorium through Dec. 9. Admission is free and those who view the exhibit can vote for the people's choice award, which will go to the most popular photo.