PHOTO CONTEST 2023 Mobile Phone Winners, Finalist and Semifinalists

WINNERS AND FINALISTS

First Place | Reflection

Honeymoon Island State Park | Park Experiences

Tiffany Grandstaff

"On my daily sunset walk at Honeymoon Island State Park, I noticed my fiance staring into this puddle of reflection. The colors that evening seemed to melt into this puddle, creating a glimpse into something otherworldly." - Tiffany Granstaff

Second Place | Enjoy the Simple Things in Life

Fort Clinch State Park | Details and Small Things

Heather Benson

"My favorite thing about the beach is the small details that make you feel at peace. Whether it is the smell of the fresh air, the sound of the waves crashing, the sunset or the incredible detail every single seashell has and how unique they are. I was walking the beach with my mom on this evening and couldn't help but notice how beautiful the sunset made the seashells look and had to capture a photo of this very small but amazing detail." - Heater Benson

Third Place | Daybreak

Myakka River State Park | Landscape

Joan Grey

"I stood quietly, a few feet away from this Great White Egret hunting its prey, at Daybreak. Sunrise is my favorite time of the day, and Myakka River is one of my favorite parks." - Joan Grey

Honorable Mention | Full Moon

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park | Wildlife

Rachel Minnear

"To say what this pictures means to me is so hard. The state parks are my life. This specific adventure was special - I turn 30 in March and I made a list of 30 things I wanted to do before turning 30. The first thing on my list to check off was to snorkel John Pennekamp. I had hoped to find sea turtles and felt disappointed and unlucky when I didn’t- however, when taking a step back and just looking around and appreciating the fact that I got to be somewhere so beautiful, somewhere so immersive, and so full of life.. that’s when I started to notice all the little things. The beauty in the sunlight coming through the water, the coloration of the corals- and the moon jellies that scattered the view above me. I was so lucky to get a shot, and even more thankful that I took a moment to appreciate Pennekamp as a whole, because admiring a jellyfish is something I might have overlooked if I didn’t take time to reflect. Florida state parks are home to so much life- stopping for even a second to look around leads to some incredible moments." Rachel Minnear

Finalist | Kayaking into the Clouds

Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park | Park Adventures

Donna Cline

"My friends and I had been talking about kayaking at Werner-Boyce for months; we wanted to launch from the park and go to the historic stilt houses. After returning from the Gulf, we decided to head towards the spring as we hadn't yet kayaked in the park. This photo was taken about halfway to the spring; I was struck by how much of a contrast it was from the busy waters we'd just left. It was so peaceful and solitary, and the sky reflecting in the water made for such a beautiful moment." - Donna Cline

Finalist | Foggy Sunrise

Little Manatee River State Park | Landscape

Melissa Holbrook

"My husband, dog and I love to camp at the Florida State Parks, and my dog Chance and I love hiking the trails. This was an early morning walk so that we could catch the sunrise, the foggy morning really added to the great shot. My dog was just listening to all the early morning sounds and I thought this was a great shot. It really shows a bit of the park, the beautiful sunrise and the peaceful atmosphere." - Melissa Holbrook

Finalist | Beauty on the Trails

Alafia River State Park | Plants and Flowers

Jennifer Jones

"I came across the flower while mountain biking in Alafia. We were riding from one trail to another on a hot, dusty day. Its beautiful, bright color caught my eye as I looked down, and I had to stop to take a photo." - Jennifer Jones

Finalist | Morning Paddle

Silver Springs State Park | Park Adventures

Carolyn Kovacs

"We had just started our paddle and I loved the early morning light hitting the trees and how the calm water acted as a mirror reflecting the cypress and palms. Silver Springs is one of our favorite stand up paddle spots due to the biodiversity that call this waterway home, and when it is this calm you can see every fish and turtle that swim below." - Carolyn Kovacs

Finalist | Drawing Lines

Bahia Honda State Park | Waterscapes

Edward Pritchard

"The best way to explore Bahia Honda State Park is by water! Aboard our little sailboat, we got up close and personal to the Park's amazing natural and historic beauty. Navigating beneath the still-standing Bahia Honda Rail Bridge, one really gains an appreciation for the army of men who, over a century ago, drew lines, carried out calculations and toiled in unforgiving conditions to make Henry Flagler's vision of an Overseas Railroad, an engineering marvel, come to life." - Edward Pritchard

Finalist | Wave Treader

Fort Clinch State Park | Landscape

Qun Ren

"The sea is a vast dance floor, and the wave dancers are brave performers, freely expressing youth and strength atop the waves! Joyful children, playing in the water at the beach, create splashes resembling rhythmic musical notes. The harmonious and joyful moments touched me as I melted into them." - Qun Ren