Sanibel-Captiva Daily

On Oct. 24, 2008, “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society (DDWS) announced the winners of its annual “Ding” Darling Days Amateur Nature Photography Contest at a special presentation in the refuge’s Education Center.

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Photography/Reporting/Publishing-Bryan Villanueva

On Sept. 22, judges had selected 13 winners from 109 entries. First place went to Gordon Paltza from Cape Coral, for his portrait of two yellow-crowned night herons. Judges’ comments on the photograph commended its technical excellence — the clarity and the photo’s “capture” of the birds’ courting ritual.

James Munson from Kalamazoo, MI, took second place with a great white egret image that demonstrates the bird’s “almost dancing motion as it begins to lift off,” according to the judges.

In third place was John F. Coughlin from Falmouth, MA, with his osprey family photograph, which the judges liked for its content — showing the parent protecting its young.

The first-place winner received a cash award from DDWS and a two-night stay at West Wind Inn on Sanibel Island. Second- and third-placers also received cash prizes. The winning artwork and other entries will be on display in the Refuge Education Center through the end of May.

“Ding” Darling Wildlife Society Director Terry Baldwin coordinated the contest. Judges included Refuge Manager Paul Tritaik, West Wind Inn Director Sales and Marketing Charlene Staton, and local photographer Carol Rothman. West Wind Inn sponsored the contest and Friday’s award ceremony.

To view the other top-ranking entries, visit www.dingdarlingsociety.org and click on “Photos.”

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