DDWS, refuge open submissions for annual amateur photo contest

The submission process recently kicked off for the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge's annual contest for amateur photographers who enjoy capturing shots of nature and wildlife

Sponsored by the “Ding” Darling Wildlife SocietyFriends of the Refuge, the 31st annual “Ding” Darling Amateur Nature Photography Contest opened on July 15 Held in conjunction with the refuge's Art in the Wild Day, which is scheduled Oct 21-22, it is open to nonprofessional photographers

All entries must be submitted electronically

The cash award prizes are $300 for first place, $225 for second, and $175 for third

The complete contest rules are as follows:

∫ There is a $25 per person entry fee that provides you with a membership to the DDWS and is used to defray the cost of the contest One fee covers two entries per person

∫ Only amateur (all ages) photographers are eligible to enter (may not possess a professional photographer tax identification number for the sale of photographs)

∫ Photos must be taken at the refuge and have been taken within two years of entry date

∫ Each person may enter up to two photos but is eligible to win only one award

∫ Photos must be submitted electronically via email to ddamateurphotocontest@gmail com Each photo must be a JPEG file of at least 3000 x 2400 or four megabytes Panoramic photos are not allowed

∫ Photos that have won awards in previous DDWS photo contests may not be resubmitted

Last year's second place winner was Scott Becque, of Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, for “Azure Eye Ring ”