Marlene Kerdyk Grand Prize 2023 Winner:
"Pine Siskin Steam Bath" © Christopher Baker

As I See It Photography Contest 2023 Winners

Thank you to all our entrants, sponsors and donors for making this contest successful!

Over $3000 in Prizes:

Marlene Kerdyk Grand Prize - $1,000

1st Place - $200

2nd Place -$100

There were many honorable mentions; the judges noticed the photographer’s skill and recognized your outstanding talent.

The top 25 images, regardless of category, will be showcased in an exhibition at the Coral Gables Museum beginning August 10th and running through October 1st, 2023.
Join us for an opening reception on August 10th. More details to come.

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Marlene Kerdyk Grand Prize 

Photographer: Christopher Baker

Title: "Pine Siskin Steam Bath"
Caption: A pine siskin enjoying a warm bath on a frigid winter's morning. The rising sun backlit the scene beautifully between the highlights on the bird and the water droplets in the steam.
Category: Capturing Light

Capturing Light

1st Place 

Photographer: Reena Walking
Title: Morning View through Mesa Arch
Caption: This is a challenging photo to get, not only to hike in the dark for sunrise but to compete with the dozens of other photographers all wanting their space to get their sunrise shot.

Blessed African elephant enjoying a cool evening drink from the Chobe River in Botswana. Sharon O’Brien2nd Place

Photographer: Sharon O’Brien
Title: African Sundowner
Caption: Blessed African elephant enjoying a cool evening drink from the Chobe River in Botswana.

Father and son civil war re-enactors walking into a beautiful patch of light coming through the trees, illuminating them as they stroll through the woods in Spring Hill. Photo by Joanie LoBianco.Honorable Mention

Photographer: Joanie LoBianco
Title: Early Morning Walk in the Woods
Caption: Father and son civil war re-enactors walked into a beautiful patch of light coming through the trees, illuminating them as they strolled through the woods in Spring Hill. Luckily I was ready with my camera in hand.

The early morning rays of the sun reached this Anhinga when he was fishing under a bridge. Photo by Gunilla Imshaug.Honorable Mention

Photographer: Gunilla Imshaug
Title: Breakfast at Dawn
Caption: The early morning rays of the sun reached this Anhinga when he was fishing under a bridge and it caught my eye. I think the sun gave me the perfect opportunity to use it's light to enhance the bird and his morning breakfast.

Flowers, Plants & Trees

1st Place 

Photographer: Ana Bowers
Title: Shoo Fly
Caption: Walking around my garden with my camera, I was looking for a creative shot. I stopped at my Heliconia rostrata - so bright and blooming nicely. I noticed a quick little hover fly kept landing in different spots. I aimed and aimed again and again until I got the shot I wanted!

A fallen palm frond with two Peonies placed inside. Photo by Deanne Lay2nd Place

Photographer: Deanne Lay
Title: Peonies in a Frond
Caption: A fallen palm frond with 2 Peonies placed inside.

A lone cypress tree endures a cold, foggy morning on a southeastern lake. Photo by Ernesto Rodriguez.Honorable Mention

Photographer: Ernesto Rodriguez
Title: Enchanted
Caption: A lone cypress tree endures a cold, foggy morning on a southeastern lake.

Ocotillo with coral-colored blooms on the ends of each spiny stem against a white background. Photo by Tawnie Bramble.Honorable Mention

Photographer: Tawnie Bramble
Title: Desert Coral
Caption: The Ocotillo can be found in the Southwest US. In the spring it has these beautiful coral-colored blooms on the ends of each spiny stem. I captured this south of Tucson on a cloudy day which resulted in the coral bloom against a stark white background.

A monochrome landscape of an early morning fog. Trees in the fog with their reflection in the lake water. Photo by Chuck Milber.Honorable Mention

Photographer: Chuck Milber
Title: Summer Fog
Caption: A mono landscape of an early morning fog. Trees in the fog with their reflection in the lake water.

Monochrome

1st Place

Photographer: Steve Roth
Title: Mother and Child
Caption: I came upon these two sitting on a stone wall in Bali, Indonesia. I was fortunate to capture the moment they were both looking into the camera.

A bird waits the storm out during a Florida winter. Photo by Ernesto Rodriguez.2nd Place 

Photographer: Ernesto Rodriguez
Title: Wintering
Caption: A bird waits the storm out during a Florida winter.

A young male lion resting in the Botswana bush. Photo by Sharon O’BrienHonorable Mention

Photographer: Sharon O’Brien
Title: Ferocious Yawn
Caption: A young male lion was found resting in the Botswana bush after a night of feasting on a hippo kill.

Florida sunrise over unique coquina rock formations. Photo by Donald Pelliccia Jr.Honorable Mention

Photographer: Donald Pelliccia Jr.
Title: Monochrome Sunrise Seascape
Caption: Florida sunrise over unique coquina rock formations.

Water Lily photo at McKee City Lilies. Photo by Marilyn D. Ross.Honorable Mention

Photographer: Marilyn D. Ross
Title: Sooo Pretty
Caption: Taken at McKee City Lilies.

Baboon howling at the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, Florida. Photo by Joanie LoBianco.Honorable Mention

Photographer: Joanie LoBianco
Title: Lady Sings the Blues
Caption: Baboon howling at the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, Florida.

Black and white photo of Coral Gables by Carlos V. Causo.Honorable Mention

Photographer: Carlos V. Causo
Title: In a Quiescent State
Caption: Coral Gables

Nature at Night

1st Place 

Photographer: Ernesto Rodriguez
Title: Reach for the Stars
Caption: A very eventful capture, a thunderstorm, milky way, and meteor shower all together in a long exposure.

Lighthouse at night at harbor in Lubec, Maine. Photo by Reena Walking.2nd Place 

Photographer: Reena Walking
Title: Night Skies in Lubec
Caption: This beautiful lighthouse provides safety for all those entering the harbor at night in Lubec, Maine.

Night landscape in Acadia National Park with reflection of the Milky Way and dozens of fireflies. Photo by Rolando C. Prol.Honorable Mention

Photographer: Reena Walking
Title: Fireflies Under the Stars
Caption: Hiked to this location in Acadia National Park to capture the reflection of the Milky Way, and we were rewarded with dozens of fireflies floating among us.

Sanibel Lighthouse under starry skies timelapse. Photo by Sean McLaughlin.Honorable Mention

Photographer: Sean McLaughlin
Title: Sanibel Lighthouse Star Trails
Caption: About one month before Hurricane Ian struck Sanibel, I was lucky enough to spend a beautiful night taking this shot of the Sanibel Lighthouse under clear starry skies. The breeze was perfect, and no mosquitos to be found. A magical night I will never forget.

Owl resting with photograph of the stars. Photo by Rolando C. Prol.Honorable Mention

Photographer: Rolando C. Prol
Title: The Big Dipper and the Owl
Caption: Owl resting while photographing the stars.

Patterns and Textures

1st Place

Photographer: Ana Bowers
Title: From Cracking Mud to Peaks
Caption: Last May I spent time in the South Dakota Badlands. Textures and lines were everywhere I looked. I saw a patch of geometric and textured flat, cracked mud juxtaposed against the tall, vertical peaks. I decided to try my luck at focus stacking to capture a low perspective.

Close-up of details of the Colocasia Esculenta plant. Photo by David Lloyd.2nd Place 

Photographer: David Lloyd
Title: Terrestrial Palm
Caption: A close-up shot showing the beautiful details of the Colocasia Esculenta plant.

Shells arranged and photographed on a mirrored surface with a macro lens. Photo by Susan Poirier.Honorable Mention

Photographer: Susan Poirier
Title: Treasures From the Sea
Caption: I've had a fascination and love of shells all my life. These shells were arranged and photographed on a mirrored surface with a macro lens.

Trunks of cypress trees and with orange fall foliage illuminated by sun reflecting onto a pond. Photo by Donald Pelliccia Jr.Honorable Mention

Photographer: Donald Pelliccia Jr.
Title: Fall Cycle Reflections
Caption: Trunks of cypress trees and their orange fall foliage illuminated by golden hour sun reflecting into a pond.

Sustainability

1st Place 

Photographer: Gunilla Imshaug
Title: Me and Winged Friend
Caption: Two ancient creatures interacting - the Turtle and the Dragonfly. How can we sustain the world so their special relationship can survive?

Northern California's redwood park redwood forest. Photo by Ana Bowers.2nd Place 

Photographer: Ana Bowers
Title: Feeling Small Under the Redwoods
Caption: Leaving the Oregon coast on our way to the airport, we decided to dip into northern California's redwood park. In these days of climate change with all the fires in nearby areas, we wanted to make sure we made memories of walking through the redwood forest.

Echinacea plants. Native plants are so important to attract the native pollinators...those little things that run the world! Photo by Lynn O’Shaughnessy.Honorable Mention

Photographer: Lynn O’Shaughnessy
Title: Plant Native for Biodiversity
Caption: Native plants are so important to attract the native pollinators...those little things that run the world!

Photo of Big Cypress Forest, Florida. Photo by Rolando C. Prol.Honorable Mention

Photographer: Rolando C. Prol
Title: Sunrise in the Forest
Caption: View of the Big Cypress Forest.

The Natural World

1st Place 

Photographer: Donald Pelliccia, Jr.
Title: Majestic Morning
Caption: This majestic and ancient cypress tree was photographed on a cool, extremely foggy morning in the fall of 2022 from my kayak.

Cypress tree on the shore of a lake in peak fall colors. Photo by Donald Pelliccia Jr.2nd Place 

Photographer: Donald Pelliccia, Jr.
Title: Cypress is Full Fall Colors
Caption: Cypress tree on the shore of a lake in peak fall colors.

Osprey shaking off water after a dive. Photo by Sarah Madaio.Honorable Mention

Photographer: Sarah Madaio
Title: Shake It Off
Caption: Osprey shaking off water and disappointment from a failed dive.

Early morning at Willow Lake, Prescott, AZ. Photo by Phillip Scheel.Honorable Mention

Photographer: Phillip Scheel
Title: Sunrise in the Dells
Caption: Early morning at Willow Lake, Prescott, AZ.

Great Blue Heron wading in a stream at Circle Bar B Ranch in Lakeland, Florida. Photo by Joanie LoBianco.Honorable Mention

Photographer: Joanie LoBianco
Title: Pretty As A Picture
Caption: Great Blue Heron wading in a stream at Circle Bar B Ranch in Lakeland, Florida.

Animal Kingdom

1st Place 

Photographer: Robert Gloeckner
Title: Tucked In
Caption: A Sandhill Crane Colt tucked in, feeling the warmth of its mother.

Two giraffes in Okavango Delta, Botswana. Photo by Sharon O’Brien.2nd Place

Photographer: Sharon O’Brien
Title: Highest Love
Caption: A sweet moment was captured as the sun set in the Okavango Delta.

White Egret with lizard in its beak. Photo by Gilberto A. Gonzalez.Honorable Mention

Photographer: Gilberto A. Gonzalez
Title: Power of the Beak
Caption: That's how wildlife is, seeing how a bird that is defenseless to us is a terrible predator for small animals.

Mother and baby rhinoceros walking in the grass. Photo by Debi Lander.Honorable Mention

Photographer: Debi Lander
Title: Copy Cats
Caption: Mom and Baby Rhino walk to the same beat.

Three Black Skimmer chicks waiting for their next feeding from their mother. Photo by Robert Gloeckner.Honorable Mention

Photographer: Robert Gloeckner
Title: Thrilled Anticipation
Caption: Three Black Skimmer chicks thrilled in anticipation of their next meal.

Egret on a lake in Mount Dora, Florida. Photo by Laura Howell.Honorable Mention

Photographer: Laura Howell
Title: Hidden Egret
Caption: Captured Egret on a lake in Mount Dora.

A Great Blue Heron with its catch, a baby alligator. Photo by Robert Gloeckner.Honorable Mention

Photographer: Robert Gloeckner
Title: The Last Tickle
Caption: A Great Blue Heron with its catch, a baby alligator. It almost seems as the heron's tongue tickles the gator.

Shoebill Stork in a ray of sunlight with dark background. Photo by Joanie LoBianco.Honorable Mention

Photographer: Joanie LoBianco
Title: Shoebill Stork in Profile
Caption: The Shoebill Stork is an exotic type bird that warrants being shown off. On this day it was trying to hide in the bush, but a ray of sunlight struck it so beautifully. Using a 400 mm lens, I captured this beautiful bird.

Blue Dasher close-up. Photo by Georgia McGuire.Honorable Mention

Photographer: Georgia McGuire
Title: Blue Dasher
Caption: This Blue Dasher sat for a very long time. He looks like he is smiling.

Limpkins courtship dance. Photo by Gunilla Imshaug.Honorable Mention

Photographer: Gunilla Imshaug
Title: May I Have This Dance?
Caption: Springtime came and these two Limpkins danced a little courtship dance right in front of me. I was so pleased to have had the chance to be a spectator to their beautiful dance.

The Coral Gables Garden Club would like to extend our gratitude to our Sponsors:

THE MARLENE KERDYK BEAUTIFICATION FUND

ALEXANDER BUCELO

WILLIAM BONN

THE CORAL GABLES MUSEUM

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