Three winners have been selected in the second photography contest sponsored by the Cache Creek Nature Preserve.

Completed on Earth Day, April 22, the contest was an opportunity for people to visit and explore the 130-acre preserve west of Woodland and elevate public awareness of the area.

Rebecca Tryon, who chairs the Preserves Community Outreach Committee, reported that the winner in the “Professional” category was Peri Hoke, who also won the award in 2023. Winning the “Adult” category for those ages 18 and older was Kelli O’Neill and taking the “Youth” category of those ages 17 and under was Ben Lillge.

Each of the winners will receive a cash prize.

Tryon said Hoke’s entry showed four wood ducks perched atop a nesting pole while O’Neill’s photograph showed a tree swallow protecting its nest from a house wren who was persistently trying to take over the next. Lillge’s photograph displayed a green tree sprout among gray and brown pieces of wood.

Categories are: Adults, ages 18 and older; Youth, ages 17 and under; and Professional. All images must have been taken by the photographer and not photoshopped.

Nature Preserve Executive Director Sheila Pratt said she was pleased that so many people came to the Preserve to observe the natural beauty “and enjoy the wonders and wildlife” of the area.

There were 24 entries in the 2024 contest, which will soon be displayed publicly on the Preserve’s website and at other locations throughout Woodland.

The contest started on March 1 and was designed to encourage people to visit the Preserve during the spring months, when there is an abundance of wildlife and growing plant life.

Wildlife, foliage, and sunsets are always popular photo images, not including Cache Creek itself and the wildlife which call it home. A number of entries this year showed flowers, birds and the Preserve’s pond at sunrise or sunset.

A selection committee comprised of Conservancy Board members and one volunteer judged the photographs.