"Ding" Darling photo winners announced

First Place: Pair of Yellow-Crowned Night Herons by Jim Hamilton of Potomac, MD. The "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society recently announced the winners of its annual "Ding" Darling Days Amateur Nature Photography Contest at a special presentation in the refuge's Education Center.

Judges selected 12 winners from 93 entries received from 12 states, England, and France.

First place went to Jim Hamilton of Potomac, Md., for his portrait of a pair of yellow-crowned night herons. Judges¿ comments on the photograph commended its clarity and "the way they're displaying aggression upon having their territory entered."

Dick Fortune of Miami took second place with a roseate spoonbills image that demonstrates "complexity" and "motion," according to the judges.

In third place was Sallie Rich of Fort Myers with her gape-mouthed crocodile photograph, which the judges liked for its subject matter and clear focus.

John P. Hawkins, of Cape Coral earned honorable mention for his Immature Yellow crowned Night Heron with Crab as did Mary D. McCoy of Fort Myers for her White Pelican.

Second Place: Roseate Spoonbills landing by Dick Fortune of Miami. The top three winners received cash and other prizes donated by General Electric and "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society. The winning artwork and other entries will be on display in the Refuge Education Center through the end of May.

"Ding" Darling Wildlife Society Director Terry Baldwin coordinated the contest. Judges included Chamber of Commerce Director Ric Base, Ranger Jeff Combs, and travel journalist Chelle Koster Walton.

To view the other top-ranking entries, visit www.dingdarlingsociety.org and click on "Photos."

Third Place: American Crocodile by Sallie Rich of Ft. Myers.