(Editor’s Note: The following article was submitted by the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge.)

Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge, in partnership with the Friends of Sherburne and the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge Photography Club, hosted its Annual Youth Photography Contest this year. This year’s contest had two categories, with Closer Look focusing on magnified views of plants, insects and wildlife and Big Picture focusing on landscapes, wildlife and recreation. While participants could submit an entry into each category, they could only be awarded one prize. Additionally, all photos had to be taken on the refuge, during daylight hours and in areas open to the public. Overall, fourteen photos were entered and judged impartially based on their quality, composition and creativity.

Nov. 17, the winners and all participants were recognized for their outstanding work during a virtual awards ceremony, with first place overall and first and second place per category awarded. The first place overall was awarded to Morgan Rother, a sixth grader from Blaine! Her capture of a great blue heron stoically standing on a twisted branch in a refuge wetland stood out to the judges. The framing of this image cleverly uses the unique perch to guide your eye into the sharply focused subject. The viewer can see her posing with the livestream presentation once her award was unveiled! For the Closer Look category, first place was awarded to Garrett Guggenberger (Zimmerman), and second place was awarded to Elliott Sorenson (Otsego).

For Big Picture, first place was awarded to Isabelle Dehmer (St. Michael), and second place was awarded to Emily Dehmer (St. Michael).

All submitted photos captured beautiful and unique perspectives of the refuge and can be viewed virtually on the Friends of Sherburne Facebook page (Facebook.com/sherburnerefugefans/). Want to see them in-person? They’ll be displayed at the Oak Savanna Learning Center at the Eagle’s Nest Nature Store on the following Saturdays from 10 am to 2 pm: November 27 and December 4, 11 and 18. Additionally, they can be viewed at Refuge Headquarters on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. throughout the winter months. Note that the building is closed on federal holidays.

The refuge would like to congratulate and thank all the young photographers for their participation and for sharing their creative and inspiring images with us!