Laurie-B's Photography Blog: Canaan Valley NWR, WV -- 2011 Photography Contest

We visit Canaan Valley, WV almost every summer. It's a beautiful place and I always come home with thousands of photographs. We usually stop at the Ranger Station at least once to say "Hi", ask were bears and beaver have been seen lately and see what else might be cooking. This year on one of our early vacation days we stopped by again. I've admired the work of many talented photographers hanging in the exhibit and store areas. So, this year, when I picked up the announcement of their photography contest I decided I'd give it a try. A very large "Thank You" and hug to my kind hubbie, Sam, who indulged every request throughout our vacation to be where the light, sight and point of view were right.

You can find the NWR website at this link: http://www.fws.gov/canaanvalley/ and a link to the show page here: CVNWR_2011_Photo_Contest_Winners . The show will hang through January 1, 2012. Below is a description of the contest and announcement of winners. I believe this text was taken from the page in October. Where possible, I've included links to the photographer's websites or blogs below. (I re-posted the information because the CVNWR page was down for a while.)

Needless to say, I'm grateful for the opportunity to participate and delighted with the results. A large Thank You to the "Friends of the 500th" for sponsoring the contest. If you are reading this, I'm sure you already know how enjoyable nature photography can be. Go out, enjoy our National Parks and wild lands and shoot great photographs.

For more on the "Friends of the 500th" see: http://www.fws.gov/canaanvalley/CVNWR%20Friends.htm

Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge
Friends of the 500th
2011 Amateur Photography Contest - Winners

The overall theme of the contest was to showcase the natural beauty of the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge and the surrounding Canaan Valley, Tucker County area of West Virginia.

An awards ceremony reception sponsored by the Friend’s of the 500th was held on October 15, 2011 at the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center.

Native Wildlife
Honorable Mention - Gray Fox by Jim Blackwood - http://www.wvblackbears.com/
Third Place - Me and My Shadow by Neale Blackwood, Jr.
Second Place - Fat Cheeks by Mark Roy
First Place - Canaan Gold Finch by Lauren Peeler Brice - http://www.flickr.com/lbricephoto/

Canaan Valley Scenery
Honorable Mention - Into the Mist by Tina Bonner - http://www.flickr.com/tinabonnerphoto/
Third Place - Elegant Elakala by James Moore - http://www.eft-stop-blog.com/2011/11/01/cvnwp_entries/
Second Place - Survivor by Judy Saunders
First Place - Misty Paddler by Lauren Peeler Brice

Native Plants/Flowers
Honorable Mention - Summer Meadow by James Moore
Third Place - Aster Droplets by Lauren Peeler Brice
Second Place - Puff by Neale Blackwood, Jr.
First Place - Summer Ferns and Fungus by Beth Spencer

Artistic
Honorable Mention - Dew You See It? by Beth Spencer
Third Place - Nature's Graphic by Nancy Merical
Second Place - Enchanted by Neale Blackwood, Jr.
First Place - Fire in the Sky by James Moore

Professional
Second Place - Glory by James Moore
First Place - Quiet Beauty by James Moore

Best in Show - Canaan Gold Finch by Lauren Peeler Brice

Here are my entries arranged by submission category. Click to see them larger. Press Esc to return here.

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