Annual Photo Contest

Story County Conservation Annual Photo Contest

Large white bird with crooked neck and long orange bill swallows a full frog

"Down the Hatch," by Tana Tesdall

Bill Horine Best of Show winner, 2025

Close up photo of brown owl with big black eyes

Fan Favorite Winner - "Wild Eye Wonder," by Chris Ewan

Small bird with yellow belly rests on a twig with beak open chirping

Partners Magnet Winner - "Nature's Morning Anthem" by Chris Ewan

Connecting People with Nature (Adult) Winners

  1. 1 3rd Place -Ice Fishing at Hickory Grove Lake by Mark Johnson
  2. 2 Comet crossing across night sky
  3. 3 Yellow fall foliage on trees shades the river, a bridge in background and a child playing in stream.
  4. 4 Young boy wearing fishing attire stands beside stream holding fishing pole and tackle box

Fauna (Adult) Winners

  1. 1 Great Crested Flycatcher bird with moth in its beak
  2. 2 Large white bird with crooked neck and long orange bill swallows a full frog
  3. 3 Black bird with red and yellow patches on wings sits on dead grass with visible fog coming from beak
  4. 4 Two green humming birds perch on a branch as one feeds its bill inside the others' mouth
  5. 5 Very close up view of fly with big red eyes perched on bright yellow flower
  6. 6 Small blueish and white bird with long beak slurping a minnow down its mouth
  7. 7 Deer fawn laying in tall green grass

Flora and Fungi (Adult) Winners

  1. 1 Close up photo of light green milkweek pod
  2. 2 Extreme close up view of white dandelion seeds still attached to center of bloom. White fluffy
  3. 3 Intricate white flowers of clusters of eight gather and drip dew.
  4. 4 Spikey, pale green balls in clusters reach toward sky in foreground of prairie photo

Landscape Winners (Adult)

  1. 1 Sunset over prairie with dark blue sky
  2. 2 Dark and moody vibes, with dark black edges as fall tree foliage shades lake bank and water
  3. 3 Green hues from Northern Lights shine into night sky over dark treeline
  4. 4 Vibrant orange sunset over lake with dark black shadows of tree shilouette

Fauna Winners - Youth

  1. 1 Yellow and black striped butterfly perched on a light purple flower
  2. 2 Fox squirrel perches on tree stump to decide its next move, brown leaves in background
  3. 3 A tan, pigeon-like bird looks toward camera while standing in the grass
  4. 4 Closeup of green and iridescent beetle bug crawling on leaf.

Flora and Fungi Winners - Youth

  1. 1 Daisy blooms scattered across a dark background
  2. 2 Bright purple, triangular-shaped flower bloom with tree petals and green grassy backrgound
  3. 3 Five-petaled pale pink flower cluster with dark pint center
  4. 4 White tiny daisy-like flowers with yellow center appear in foreground, more in green background

Show us your Nature Pics!

NOTICE: Submissions are not being accepted at this time. We encourage you to stay busy taking photos for next year's contest, which will likely open for submissions in February.

We want to see the parks through your eyes! SCC encourages picture-takers of all skill levels to submit their proudest park and nature photos for the Annual Photo Contest! Amateur photographers only. 

  • Submitted images may show people interacting with nature and enjoying recreational activities, scenic photos of SCC landscapes, portraits of plants and wildlife, and more.
  • Images will be used by SCC to encourage users to enjoy Story County Conservation parks and natural areas, promote programs, and more—both online and in print. 


WINNERS

  • Cash prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, & 3rd place in each category for Adult (18+) and Youth (under 18) 
  • Special Awards
    1. Bill Horine Best in Show
    2. SCC Magnet Award – One photo may be selected for use on a refrigerator magnet
    3. Facebook Fan Favorite – voted on by Facebook users
  •  Winners will be notified via email in April. 

PHOTO CATEGORIES:

  • A. Connecting People with Nature- Action shots of friends, family, and four-legged companions enjoying Story County Conservation parks and trails! 
    1. Photos in this category must be taken in SCC parks/trails. – Ada Hayden is not owned by SCC.
  • B. Landscape – Wallpaper-worthy photos showcasing scenic views of SCC parks, trails and amenities.
    1. Photos in this category must be taken in SCC parks/trails. – Ada Hayden is not owned by SCC.
  • C. Flora & Fungi – Micro or macro shots of Iowa’s native plants and fungi. 
  • D. Fauna – Portraits of Iowa’s wildlife in its natural habitat.

*Ada Hayden Heritage Park is NOT owned by Story County Conservation.


SUBMISSION

  • Submit photos here from February 1 - March 15. 2025 
    • Submit photos here.
  • Individual photographers may submit up to three entries total (multiple may be submitted in each category.)
  • Photos entered in categories A & B must be taken in Story County Conservation parks or natural areas. Photos in all categories must be taken in Iowa. Photos of livestock and ornamental/non-native plants will not be accepted.
  • Submit via online form or thumb drive. Acceptable formats include .heic, .jpg, .heif, .tif, .png, etc. RAW formats will not be accepted.
  • Photo files should be named according to the following format: Photographer Last name, First name - Title of Photo, Location of Photo
    • Example: Nolte, Madi - Brisk Morning Walk, McFarland Park
  • Photographer retains all rights to the image except for use by SCC. SCC reserves the right not to choose winners in any or all categories.


Helpful info:

Map of Story County Conservation parks and natural areas