JEFFERSON CITY, MO (NewsFirst) – The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has announced the winners of its 2023 photo contest, which showcases the beauty and diversity of the state’s natural resources.
The department received nearly 900 entries from amateur photographers across Missouri, who captured images of the state’s parks, wildlife, landscapes and outdoor recreation.
The winners were selected by a panel of judges from the department and other organizations. The winning photos can be viewed on the department’s website at dnr.mo.gov/photo-contest.
The winners in each category are:
Natural Resources Category:
First Place: “Reflection – Champion Burr Oak” by Harold Ostergaard of Pacific, Mo.
Second Place: “Water Falls” by David A. Peterson of St. Clair, Mo.
Third Place: “Mina Sauk Falls” by Steven Bender of Cape Girardeau, Mo.
Honorable Mention: “Rock Walkin’” by Renee Thierry of Pleasant Hill, Mo.
People Enjoying the Outdoors Category:
First Place: “Fly Fishing in the Fog” by Analizza Tomenio Neal of Springfield, Mo.
Second Place: “Summer Splash” by Branden Keith Johnson of Farmington, Mo.
Third Place: “Bluebird on a Dogwood Tree” by Mary Moore of DeSoto, Mo.
Honorable Mention: “When You Land Your First Trout” by Abby Weber of Leonard, Mo.
Youth Category (for photographers under 18 years old):
First Place: “Pure Bliss” by Tyler Delagardelle of Ozark, Mo.
Second Place: “Follow Me to Fall” by Rhonda O’Keefe of St. Charles, Mo.
The department said it appreciates the participation and enthusiasm of all the photographers who entered the contest and encourages everyone to get outside and enjoy Missouri’s natural resources.
The 2024 photo contest will open on April 1, 2024. For more information about the contest, visit dnr.mo.gov/photo-contest.
