Area photographer's work on exhibit
Vernon. Highland Lakes Photographer Leesa Beckman's photo of a yellow jacket is on dispaly in Jamestown, N.Y.
| 02 Aug 2019 | 03:16
“Parachuting Yellow Jacket,” pictured here, is a Naturally Funny Adult Finalist in the 2019 Nature Photography Contest presented by Audubon Community Nature Center. This work by Highland Lakes photographer Leesa Beckmann is on exhibit in Jamestown, N.Y., through August 31.
Audubon Community Nature Center (ACNC) has announced the six winners and 12 finalists of its 2019 Nature Photography Contest. All are on exhibit at the 3rd on 3rd Gallery in Jamestown, N.Y., through Aug. 31.
Contest Judge Mark Kirsch will greet visitors at a gallery reception on Thursday evening, Aug.15. The reception and exhibit are free and open to the public.
Audubon used its hometown to choose the categories for this year’s competition. In tribute to the First Lady of Comedy, Jamestown-born Lucille Ball, one of the categories was Naturally Funny: Wildlife photos that make us smile or laugh.
In honor of Roger Tory Peterson, the premier naturalist of the 20th Century who was also born in Jamestown, and the more than 50 Peterson Field Guides, the second contest category was Field Guide Worthy: Photos that could be used for identification in a field guide.
The third category was an opportunity to let the world see where the photographer thinks of as home by entering Naturally Beautiful: The beautiful landscapes where you live.
Winners and finalists can be seen at ACNCPhotoContest.com/2019-Winners. More contest entries can be seen at the contest album link there. Sales of the photographs on exhibit as well as those in the album support Audubon’s nature education programs that reach thousands of children every year.
Adult Photo Contest entries came from eight countries and 27 states. Youth entries came from nine states and the United Kingdom. Each winner received a $200 cash prize.
The Naturally Funny Adult Division Winner is “Bad Hair Day” by Cally Higgenbottom of Chesterfield, United Kingdom. Field Guide Worthy Adult Winner is “Safe and Sound” by Dave Shaffer of Springbrook, Wis., and the Naturally Beautiful winner is “Fireflies: Dancing with the Stars” by D. Arlene Bonnett of Jamestown, N.Y.
The Naturally Funny Youth Division Winner is “Nap Time” by Katy Read of Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. Field Guide Worthy Youth Winner is “Pyrrhuloxia” by Zachary Gray of Harlingen, Tex., and the Naturally Beautiful winner is “Vibrant Dahlia” by Lily Mullett of Gillett, Wis.
Photographers receiving Finalist recognition in the Adult Division are Leesa Beckmann, Highland Lakes, N.J.; Agnish Dey, Lakeland, Fla.; Devin Grady, Marina del Rey, Ca.; Henry Miller, Diamond Springs, Ca.; Markus van Hauten, Stolberg, Germany; and Kan Zhou, Palo Alto, Ca.
Finalists in the Youth Division are Zachary Gray of Harlingen, Tex., and Isabel Krautstrunk of Carmel, Ca.