Adult Categories

Color or Black & White images may be entered.

ANIMALS (Wild & Captive)

Images of animals in their natural environment or in a controlled setting (i.e. farm, zoo, ranch, etc.).  May include mammals, marine life, reptiles and amphibians.  Does not include pets.

Feathered Friends

Wild or captive birds.

Expressive Impressions

Nature-related images intended to express the photographer’s impression of the subject (i.e. creative blurs, abstract and digital manipulation).  Not to be judged on the amount of manipulation but on the artistic end result. 

Naturally occurring patterns, lines, shapes, and forms of animals, objects, or plants in nature; also may include macro and extreme close-up images in cases where the patterns, lines, shapes, etc. are the principal subject.

FLORAL

Images of natural or cultivated flowers, plants, or gardens.

Creepy Crawlies

Wild or captive insects, butterflies, and spiders.

SCENICS

Expansive views may include landscapes, cloudscapes, mountains, forests, deserts, etc. Images primarily featuring water should be submitted in the Water category. Nature should be the primary subject of the image.

WATER

Images that primarily feature water such as seascapes, oceans, waterfalls, lakes, streams, and rivers.  Water should be the primary subject. 

Focus on the Sky

Including but not limited to astrophotography, stars, sunrises, sunsets, cloudscapes, and storm clouds. Must be related to nature.  

Up Close and Personal

Extreme close-up as it relates to small subjects, nature or portions of nature subjects to show details (not normally seen)

People and Nature

A person or people interacting with nature in the outdoors. May include people enjoying nature or the way people affect nature.

Note: Photography on train tracks is illegal. Images captured while on train tracks are not admissible.

Note:  It is the responsibility of the photographer to read through the category descriptions carefully and to choose the appropriate category for each image.  Keep in mind that the image could fit into more than one category.  The photographer’s selection will be final. Anything not meeting the criteria will be ineligible for judging.