BACK TO 2002 CONTEST HOME PAGE
(announced Sept 6, 2002)
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First Place - Mervin D. Coleman Second Place - Terry Cervi Third Place - Inge Eason
Honorable Mention - Ilya A.Francev |
 "In a Prism of Light" Mervin D. Coleman |
 "Catchin' a Wave" Terry Cervi |
 "A Winter Miracle" Inge Eason |
 Honorable Mention "Fog. A wood." Ilya A.Francev
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 Honorable Mention "Amazed" Bucky Higginson
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 Honorable Mention "Of Smoke and Mirrors" Philip Voystock Jr.
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Judges for this contest were: David Leeson and Kim Ritzenthaler
David and Kim are founders and owners of www.fieldandforest.com. For more about them please visit: About Us
e-mail: David Leeson Note: The full text of the judge's comments is located at the bottom of the page.
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First Place - Mervin D. Coleman
Comments: It was one of the most extraordinary scenes that I have seen in nature. It was a privilege to witness this magical and spirtual event.
I was born and raised on a grain, hay and cattle farm in southeastern Nebraska. After graduating with a bachelor of science degree in range biology from Colorado State University in 1969, I entered the United States Marine Corps and served 4 1/2 years in the air wing as a reconnaissance systems officer in the RF4 Phantom jet. I then worked for the US Bureau of Land Management in California and Idaho for almost 7 years as a range conservationist before moving to Red Lodge, Montana in June 1980 to own and operate a photography, gallery and framing business. My business involves portrait, wedding, sport, nature, commercial and travel photography.
Second Place - Terry Cervi
Comments: I took many photos of this shell as the waves rushed in, to catch the wave just as it hit the sea shell.
Third Place - Inge Eason
Comments: Her name is "Queene." She demonstrates the endurance that a bird as little as a hummingbird is given by our creator. She makes a strong statement for the necessity of leaving your hummingbird feeders out during winter months. Queene was a 2001 New Year's Day surprise. That was the day I saw her for the first time. What a wonderful beginning to a New Year. She is a Roufus Hummingbird. When she was banded, I found out she was a first year young female. A "Master Bander" who bands Birds throughout the US came to catch and band her for the purpose of learning more of the migration habits of winter Hummingbirds. What a thrill to watch the skilled hands measure and band my Queene. The best part was she did not seem to mind it at all.
Much to everyone's surprise, Queene stayed with us until March. At this time all my other hummingbirds arrived and I lost track of her. I started looking for her this Fall as soon as all our Ruby Throated hummingbirds migrated. I had almost given up when I heard the familiar sound in December. Wintering hummingbirds are much shyer than the little summer visitors. She was recaptured on 1/3/2002 to establish she was the same bird that visited us the year before. She was again measured and checked from head to toe. I think a lot about her and hope she will be back this winter.
If anyone is interested in looking at pictures of the banding process, I will be happy to share them with you. Just drop me an e-mail.
(ED. NOTE: Click on name above to send e-mail)
Honorable Mention - Ilya A.Francev
Comments:No comments provided.
(ED. NOTE: To learn more about Lake Baikal visit: The Lake Baikul Guidebook Online
Honorable Mention - Bucky Higginson
Comments: This is a picture I took on my first visit to the Grand Canyon. I was absolutely amazed at this wonderful site. As I was leaving the Grand Canyon, it started to rain. When the rain stopped, the most beauiful rainbow appeared. Fortunately, I was able to capture this wonderful sight to share with others.
Honorable Mention - Philip Voystock Jr.
Comments: The early morning mist on lakes and ponds has always been an attraction to me. Finding the right subject to contrast this setting can be challenging. I waited for the right moment in this photo when the geese struck dynamic poses.
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First Place: "In a Prism of Light" The competition was strong but there was no question that Coleman's image was a first place choice. We judge images on a variety of levels and this photo has them all, light, composition, subject etc etc. The fact is that of the thousands of nature images we view each year - only a rare few can be matched in rarity. There are unique moments in nature photography which can never be duplicated, This is one of those images. Coleman writes that he was "privileged" to see this moment ... indeed he was. The rest of us can only be pleased that his skill as a photographer met the opportunity at that rare moment in time.
Second Place: "Catchin' a Wave" This could have easily taken first place for its beautiful example of "seeing." Photographer Terry Cervi, one of the best photographers in the amateur nature photographer realm today, waited for that perfect moment where light and movement came together for an image which could have been just another seashore photo. Cervi's image has just the right mix of light, composition and uniqueness to set it apart from the others.
Third Place: "A Winter Miracle" This photo is a personal favorite of ours. At first glance it is nothing special to look at - a mere snapshot from a distance - of a hummingbird. But it is in the "distance" where we find a connection to the fortitude of such a small creature foraging amidst the cold winter snow for sustenance. It is on this level that the photograph hits the mark. The overwhelming nature of the environment contrasted with such frailty. Another hummingbird photo? We think not. When you spend time looking at this photo you can not help but cheer for this tiny creature.
Honorable Mention: "Fog. A wood." Here is proof that an image need not be heroic in order for it to be inspirational. There is nothing particularly compelling about any single element in the photo. But, that's the whole point. What we receive is the opportunity to free ourselves from traditional ideas about photograph and instead, study this relatively simple photo of a forest in fog. The image is dark and brooding and forces the viewer to engage with the image in the same way that nature's forces compel us to engage with a deeper sense of self in relation to the universe.
Honorable Mention: "Amazed" Sometimes a photo is as simple (and difficult) as being in the right place at the right time. Who has not beheld a beautiful sunset? But here is one at the right time in one of the most beautiful places in the world - the Grand Canyon. Congrats to photographer Higginson to be equal to the task of recording one of nature's miraculous and "amazing" displays.
Honorable Mention: "Of Smoke and Mirrors" There is a quiet disorder to this photo which intrigues the reader to question. As we studied this image we were left with a feeling of mystery. Certainly fog on a lake is reason enough to reflect upon one's status in the realm in nature - but to establish such poetic beauty in the foreground of the image reminds the viewer that we are not alone in our relationship with nature for the fog indeed envelopes us all.
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