2021 Photo Contest Winners!

We had the great pleasure of sitting down with our inaugural photo contest winners on June 27th, 2021 to discuss their winning photos.

The Spring is for Hope contest celebrated the emerging spring in Prince William County and the talent that captures such awe-inspired views via a camera lens.

Photographers entered their photographs in three categories: 1.) Landscapes and Waterscapes, 2.) Native Plants and Wildlife and 3.) People in Nature.

After a process of committee review and public voting, the winners for each category have been determined. The people voted and the winners are:

Landscapes and Waterscapes

Laurels in Bloom by Urlene Alling

Laurels in Bloom captures a peaceful moment, the calm reflective water, the stillness of the trees, when internally many of us felt anything but peaceful. Urlene Alling shared that moment for her, “The Laurels in Bloom photo was taken three months after my son had COVID-19 and one month after my husband also overcame COVID-19.  It was also one day after George Floyd was killed.  This period of time was super intense, overwhelming, and stressful for me.  So, when I saw the Laurel blooms along Quantico Creek, a spectacular photographic scene at Prince William Forest Park in all its beauty, it gave me an added appreciation for life and the wonderful surroundings in our community to get fresh air, de-stress and enjoy.”

 

C – Curious and afraid while closed-in
O – Outdoors is now my thing
V – Views of nature’s beauty
 I – In so many things I see
D – Devastation around the world, changes perspectives for me.

 

                     Poem by Urlene Alling

Native Plants and Wildlife:

Shake Twist and Turn by Art Cole

Taken in Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Art Cole captured a moment that required observation, patience, and a little luck. Cole watched as the Osprey exhibited signs that it was on the hunt. With the camera in hand, Cole watched, and as predicted the Osprey plunged but returned with empty talons. As the Osprey repositioned itself, Cole continued to calmly observe. Eight minutes later, the Osprey plunged again!  This time the Osprey’s fishing attempt proved successful, a moment that was the culmination of keen eyes, expert acrobatic maneuvers, a calculated plunge and a strong grip. “[The Osprey] came right at me!” Cole recounted. And he was there ready to snap the shot!

People in Nature

Twin-spotted Spiketail by Gary Myers 

Walking along at Merrimac Farm Wildlife Management Area in Nokesville, this Twin-spotted Spiketail (Cordulegaster maculata) stopped by to say hello, landing delicately on Gary Myers’ finger. The Twin-spotted Spiketail are an important indicator species of healthy streams and many dragonfly hunters have noted that they are not very common in Northern Virginia, making this landing extra special. Calmly with steady hands, Myers instinctively lifted his camera, but he was unable to focus. Luckily his son accompanied him that day and was able to adjust the lens to capture this winning image. 

PWCA works to establish desirable, equitable, sustainable communities, promote environmental stewardship, and create opportunities for residents to engage in decisions that affect the quality of their lives and the future of their communities. This year's photo contest highlights the beauty of Prince William County and why we work so hard to protect it for everyone.