“I was taking photos of flowers at Brookside Gardens when I spotted this green heron perched on a nearby tree. I didn’t have the long lens on my camera that I usually use for bird photography. But the wider angle of the lens I was using let me capture not only the bird, but also its beautiful surroundings. So sometimes using the wrong lens can work out!”
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has chosen the winners of the annual Maryland Natural Resource Photo Contest, with the grand prize going to Debby Berlyne for her photo of a green heron at Brookside Gardens.
This year’s contest received more than 1,800 photo submissions.
This year’s grand prize package includes $700, a Maryland State Park and Trail Passport, free entry into next year’s contest, and five copies of the 2025 calendar with the winning image displayed on the cover. In addition to the overall grand prize winner, the judges selected first through third place winners in four seasonal categories—winter, spring, summer, and fall.
First place winners for the three remaining seasons (other than the grand prize winner) will receive $100, a Maryland State Park Passport, and five copies of the 2025 calendar. Second place winners for each season will receive five copies of the calendar.
Still to be determined is the Fan Favorite, which will be chosen by popular opinion on the department’s Facebook page. Followers are encouraged to “like” their pick when the photos are posted on October 8, with votes taken through close of business on October 22. The Fan Favorite wins a one-year Maryland State Park Passport and three copies of the calendar.
Every winner and the Fan Favorite will have their images published in the department’s 2025 annual calendar, which will be available for sale later in the fall.
The winners of the 2024 Maryland Natural Resource Photo Contest are below; larger images of the photos can be found on this online gallery.
The department thanks all the photographers that submitted photos to this year’s contest. These spectacular images of Maryland’s wildlife, landscapes, waters, and outdoor activities are integral to DNR’s public outreach. Photographers are given credit if their photo is used by the department for any purpose.
Next year’s photo contest will open early in 2025.
Winter Winners
First Place Winter – Sunrise Heron by Robert Sullivan
Second Place Winter – Snowy January Sunrise at Weverton Cliffs by Andrew Rimel
Third Place Winter – Princess Chickadee by Madhuri Shenker
First Place Spring – Green Heron in the Gardens by Debby Berlyne
Second Place Spring – Fungi ride by Beamie Young
Third Place Spring – Onion Rain by Sadie Routzahn
Summer Winners
First Place Summer – Snapper by Reinhardt Sahmel
Second Place Summer – Carp Mating in the Grasses By Bill Mish
Third Place Summer – Hoopers Island Lights by Ken Rose
Fall Winners
First Place Fall – Yellow Leaf Road by Nathaniel Peck
Second Place Fall – Gathering Chipmunk by Rick Dove
Third Place Fall – Taking a Lunch Break By Ian Todd
