Winners announced for Prime Hook photo contest

The 15th Annual Friends of Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge Nature Photography Contest opened Oct. 21 with an awards ceremony and reception at the refuge auditorium.

Ed Norman won Best in Show for his photo of an approaching falcon, titled "Peregrine on the Attack." Judges praised the photo for its razor-sharp detail, focus and impact. Julie Memmolo was a multiple award recipient this year, including a first-place winner in the native birds category, "Hanging with Mr. Cooper." Earl Blansfield also won multiple awards this year, including first place in the native wildlife category.

Photos can be viewed from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day until Sunday, Dec. 9, at the refuge auditorium, 11978 Turkle Pond Road, Milton. There is no admission charge. The annual contest showcases much of the finest nature photography on the Delmarva Peninsula and attracts multiple entries in seven different categories. The contest is open to all photographers and includes separate categories for students. There are many chances to win awards for photographers of all ages and abilities. 

Categories include the Beauty of Prime Hook, Native Flowers and Plants, Native Birds, Native Wildlife, Delmarva Scenery, Senior Student and Junior Student.
In all, 30 different photographers submitted work this year, contributing more than 130 breathtaking photos.

The full list of winners follows.

Best in Show: Ed Norman, "Peregrine on the Attack." 

Native Birds: first place Julie Memmolo,  "Hanging with Mr. Cooper"; second and third places, Earl Blansfield. 

Native Wildlife: first place, Earl Blansfield; second and third places, Julie Memmolo; honorable mention, Earl Blansfield.

Native Plants and Flowers: first place, Julie Memmolo; seond place, Shari Young; third place, Alice Mohrman.

Beauty of Prime Hook: first place, Kristin Forman; second place, Deborah Felmey; third place, Scott Rainville; honorable mention, Lewis Ware.

Delmarva Scenery: first place, Susan McFarlin; second place, Freddie Daniels; third place, Susan McFarlin; honorable mention, Deborah Felmey.

Student: first place Maria Deckmann, second and third places Weston Williams; two honorable mentions, Maria Deckmann; one honorable mention Weston Williams; two honorable mentions Sara Figurski.

The annual contest is sponsored by the Friends of Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. The show is open to visitors and offers stunning views of some of the most scenic areas and wildest residents of the refuge. Visitors are asked to vote for their favorite photo, which will receive a People's Choice Award at the show’s conclusion

The Friends group thanks this year's panel of distinguished photographers who served as judges: Ken Arni, David Koster and Deny Howeth lent their considerable photographic talents to that job. The Friends also thank the refuge staff and the many volunteers who help make the contest possible each fall.

 For a complete listing of contest rules for next year, go to www.friendsofprimehook.com or visit the refuge office.