Capturing a winning image

BY FRANCINE FULTON

Combining his love of nature and his photography skills, Elverson resident Mark Lucas was able to capture the winning photograph in a contest presented by the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation. Lucas won the Judge’s Choice Award in the Forests category of the contest, which had nearly 600 entries.

Lucas’ photo pictures a decaying tree deep in the woods. The tree is covered in moss and surrounded by bright orange mushrooms. He came upon the tree while hiking in Gallitzin State Forest near his hometown. “It is located just west of a little town called Windber. It’s on the western side of the state in the heart of Appalachia,” Lucas explained. “It’s about 80 miles east of Pittsburgh, and it’s about a three-hour-and-15 minute drive (from Elverson). My family is still there, and I (visit) for the holidays.”

See Photography contest pg 3