16th Annual Nature Photo Contest Winners

Congratulations to our 16^th Annual Nature Photo Contest winners! Thank you to all the photographers who shared their talent with us. Every photo submitted was a beautiful representation of the Four States Area.

All proceeds benefit Wildcat Glades Nature Group, and all the photos will be on display at the Shoal Creek Conservation Education Center soon.

You can see all the photos entered into the contest here.

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1^st Place
Short-eared owl by Joy Brannon from Riverton, Kansas

Joy Brannon, the photographer of our first-place winning photo, says that after retiring from teaching at Riverton (Kansas) Elementary School, she knew she wanted to stay active. “I've always enjoyed nature and the outdoors. About 13 years ago, I decided to start birding. I would take photos of birds and then research more about their habitats and migration patterns. I also watched YouTube videos and used bird books to become more knowledgeable. Vincent and I looked for short-eared owls at the Cherokee Lowlands Wildlife area in Kansas. We made several trips to that area, waiting until dusk to try to find short-eared owls, because they hunt for prey during dawn and dusk. A short-eared owl landed on a short post a few hundred yards away from us. To our surprise, it took flight and flew right toward us!”  

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2^nd and 3^rd Place
Eagles by Kristen Redd from Pittsburg, Kansas  

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Kids Contest Winner
Lily Feagan, Jasper, Missouri

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