provided to The Santiva Chronicle
Earlier this month, “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge (DDWS) held an official judging for its 33rd annual “Ding” Darling Amateur Nature Photography Contest. It recently announced the 2025 winners.
Judges selected three winners and seven honorable mentions out of 89 entries from 19 states and two countries. Photographers shot all entries at the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge complex. Judges included Refuge Manager Bob Gerwig, photographer Jim Bennight, and Sanibel community citizen and DDWS board member Jo Smith.
“We were absolutely inspired by the passion and talent shown in this year’s contest,” said Jeff Decker, DDWS philanthropic director and contest coordinator. “With over 80 stunning submissions from more than 40 photographers, each image told a unique story about the wildlife we’re working to protect.
“Our judges carefully evaluated every photo based on technical excellence, originality, and the ability to truly captivate — and we were blown away by the creativity and heart behind each shot. Thank you to all who participated.”
First place went to Tony Wagner of Sandwich, N.H. for his shot of two black-necked stilts titled “Romance on Stilts.”
In second place was Rebecca Clemens from Sanibel with a portrait of a white pelican titled “Fly Me to the Moon.”
Scott Becque from Rehoboth, Del., took third place with “Preening,” which captures an anhinga doing just that.
The three winners received cash awards from DDWS – $500 for first place, $300 for second, and $200 for third. Each honorable mention winner, listed below, received a $50 award.
The winning photographs and honorable mention award entries will be on display in the “Ding” Darling Visitor & Education Center once it reopens this winter and throughout the year. It is currently closed for hurricane repairs.
To view all top-ranking entries, visit dingdarlingsociety.org/photo-contests. The page also contains information for entering the photo contest in 2026, which opens June 15. The deadline for submissions will be Sep. 15, 2026.
HONORABLE MENTIONS (in alphabetical order):
• Iris Aloia, Sanibel, Fla. – “Ruffled Royalty”
• Frank Brinker, Oberaegeri, Switzerland – “Helicopter Mode”
• Kathleen Colligan, Beach Lake, Penn. – “The Elusive Mangrove Cuckoo”
• Harrison Larkin, Rock Hill, N.Y. – “Otter Yawn”
• Gail Markham, Fort Myers, Fla. – “Chipped but not Broken Spoonbill”
• Melinda Saminski, Manasquan, N.J. – “Sunset Reflections at Refuge”
• Allen Sparks, Cordova, Tenn. – “Yellow-crowned Night Heron”
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