PHOTO CONTEST 2025 WILDLIFE
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Grand Prize Winner | Eyes of the Forest
Myakka River State Park | Wildlife
Michelle Huguet
"Growing up on Miami Beach, I was far from the heart of Florida’s true beauty. I always wondered what lay beyond the skyline and noise. Through my film photography, I’ve been documenting the state’s wild spaces and the changes they continue to face. My work invites viewers to reconnect with their surroundings and to explore further. This image of a barred owl at Myakka River State Park captures a rare moment of stillness. A reminder of the beauty, resilience, and urgency of preserving Florida’s wilderness, not just for future generations, but for all of us now."
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Runner-Up | Fields of Yellow
Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park | Wildlife
Matthew Corey
"I invite you into a moment at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, where the sun sets over the prairie. In front of a field of yellow lotus, a solitary anhinga glides by gracefully, into dusk. For those who travel trails and breathe the air of wild places, this scene holds a true of what we love most about Florida’s state parks: quiet wonder, beauty, and a world that invites both stillness and movement.
The lotus endures, the anhinga flies, the sunset reaches into every space. My work honors beauty and the natural world."
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People's Choice | Pollinators in Harmony
Colt Creek State Park | Wildlife
Aaron Alvarez
"There are miles of incredible nature and wildlife throughout Florida, and I’m both honored and humbled to have my work recognized in such a meaningful way. For me, the parks are a place of restoration and relaxation. You never know how refreshing it can feel until you simply get out and explore. Each visit reminds me how special these lands are and how deeply they connect us to the beauty of Florida."
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Finalist | Cottonmouth From a Safe Distance
Highlands Hammock State Park | Wildlife
Haley Rutger
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Finalist | Thumb War
General James A. Van Fleet State Trail | Wildlife
Susan Pasquale
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Finalist | The Beauty and The Beast
Washington Oaks Gardens State Park | Wildlife
Carlos Salinas