St. Croix River Association’s Annual Photo Contest Winners Announced

Via the St. Croix River Association, a St. Croix 360 sponsor:

St. Croix River Association (SCRA) annual photo contest results are in! The talent of amateur photographers, and the beauty of the St. Croix River watershed, was apparent in this year’s St. Croix River Association photo contest. Over 100 photographs were submitted for competition in 4 categories: Landscape, People, Wildlife and Close-up for both youths and adults.

Renowned professional photographer Gary Alan Nelson was the judge for this annual contest, now in its fifth year. Prizes will be awarded to category winners on Thursday, October 8 at our fall event, River Friends Ride the Rails. Visit www.scraphotos.org to view all of the photo entries, including winning photos.

Adult Category Winners

Close-Up

• First:  Frank Piontek, Stillwater, MN – “Gray Tree Frog”
• Second:  Jeanne Hamlin, Forest Lake, MN – “Pasque Flower Seed Heads”
• Third: Randy Ferrin, Scandia, MN – “Coming in for a landing”

Landscape

• First:  Pat Chiconis, Stillwater, MN – “Spring’s First Blush”
• Second:  Patricia Brannan, Scandia, MN – “Peace in the Valley”
• Third:  Mike Chrun, Taylors Falls, MN – “Ready to Go”

People

• First:  Mike Chrun, Taylors Falls, MN – “Paddles and Paddlewheel”
• Second:  Joan Benner, Hugo, MN – “Moonlit walk on the beach”
• Third: Jodie McClure, Lindstrom, MN – “New Monarch Makes a Friend”

Wildlife

• First: Damian Vraniak, Springbrook, WI – “Green Heron Nestlings”
• Second:  Melissa Anderson, Hudson, WI – “Sharp Tailed Grouse Mating Dance”
• Third:  Therese Scheller, St. Paul, MN – “Landing at Crex Meadows”
• Third:  Paul Earney, Lakeland Shores, MN – “Who’s on first?”

Youth Category Winners

Close-Up

• First:  Zoe Deal, Forest Lake, MN – “Sheltered”
• Second:  Zoe Deal, Forest Lake, MN – “Radiant Rudbeckia”
• Third:  Kay Lynn Kuehn, Forest Lake, MN – “Wild Triliums”

Landscape

• First:  Madi Anderson, Wyoming, MN – “Morning Fog”
• Second: Zoe Deal, Forest Lake, MN – “Morning”
• Third: Kay Lynn Kuehn, Forest Lake, MN – “Kettle River Bluff Pine Outcropping”

People

• First:  Zoe Deal, Forest Lake, MN – “All in”
• Second:  Madi Anderson, Wyoming, MN – “Stunning Simplicity”
• Third: Zoe Deal, Forest Lake, MN – “Free”

Wildlife

• First:  Madi Anderson, Wyoming, MN – “Little Wings in High Places”