HEIDI DIRKSE
First place winner “Looking for Love.”

On Oct. 5, the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge held the official judging for its 31st annual “Ding” Darling Amateur Nature Photography Contest. It announced the 2023 winners on Oct. 21 at the inaugural Art in the Wild at the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel.

Judges selected three winners and 10 honorable mentions out of 91 entries from 14 states and three countries. All photograph entries were shot at the Sanibel refuge complex. The judges included a refuge staffer, photographer/artist and member of the Sanibel community.

“Despite the disruption from Hurricane Ian, the contest generated much excitement and nostalgia among photographers and our judges,” contest coordinator and DDWS Manager of Events, Marketing and Communication April Boehnen said. “The photographers found our resilient wildlife and enduring beauty once again.”

First place went to Heidi Dirkse, of Maine, for her portrait of a reddish egret titled “Looking for Love.”

“The photographer caught their subject in an instance of full plumage — a striking moment in nature,” judge and Sanibel resident Laurie Harkey said.

FRANK BRINKER
Second place winner “Low-flying Fisherman.”

In second place was Frank Brinker, of Oberageri, Switzerland, with a photograph of a black skimmer titled “Low-flying Fisherman.”

“Wildlife photography combines subject and opportunity with patience and skill,” judge and wildlife photographer Kyle Sweet said. “This photo truly exemplifies all of these. Not only is the fisherman in full focus, but the plight of the prey is as well, making this photo truly worthy of the award.”

Kathleen Colligan, of Pennsylvania, took third place with “Mangrove Tree Crab.”

“The mangrove tree crab is an often-overlooked animal that is an essential component to red mangrove ecosystems,” judge and Refuge Manager Bob Gerwig said. “This photograph draws the viewer in with lots of textural elements and observes the rule of thirds.”

The winners received cash awards from the DDWS: $300 for first place, $225 for second place and $175 for third place. Each honorable mention winner received a $25 award, which reflects a refund of the contest entry fee.

KATHLEEN COLLIGAN
Third place winner “Mangrove Tree Crab.”

The honorable mentions included:

– Nate Arnold, of Florida, for “The Strut”

– Scott Becque, of Delaware, for “Ta-Da”

– April Sue Billings, of Maryland, for “Manatee Up for Air”

– Peg d’Entremont, of Maine, for “Snuggling with Mom”

– Kent Jager, of Florida, for “Pretty in Pink”

– John Johnston, of North Carolina, for “Still on Sanibel”

– Lois E. Kraemer, of Florida, for “Vibrant Hibiscus”

– Linda Kruleski, of Florida, for “Look Over Here”

– Charlie Lais, of Florida, for “Walk On By”

– Conrad Peloquin, of California, for “Pretty in Pink”

The winning photographs and honorable mention award entries will be on display in the refuge’s Visitor & Education Center throughout the year.

To view all of top-ranking entries, visit dingdarlingsociety.org/articles/photo-contests. The page also contains information on the 2024 photo contest. The deadline for submissions will be Sept. 15.

The J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge is at 1 Wildlife Drive, Sanibel.