By Ari Hippensteal, SCWF community outreach assistant.
Our greatest congratulations go out to the winners of our 2022 annual photo contest! This contest featured stunning images of South Carolina's wildlife and their habitat as well as people enjoying outdoor activities in our beautiful state from the brand new category “People in Nature.”
It was truly difficult to select a winner from the over 300 entries we received this year, and we are grateful to all those who entered and shared their photographs and exceptional talent with the South Carolina Wildlife Federation. Photographs will be periodically featured on our social media accounts, so please follow us on Facebook and Instagram @SCWildlifeFederation. Check out our Flickr page to view all qualifying entries.
Scenes of SC Winning Entry: Folly Moonrise by Jim Miller.
Folly Moonrise by Jim Miller.
More about the photograph from Jim Miller:
"We only have twelve full moon rises per year and only about half of them line up with the lighthouse. Ideally, these moonrises need to occur very shortly after sunset so there is enough light to illuminate the lighthouse...So this leaves you with only three or four opportunities per year to make this photograph...November 19, 2021, was one of those evenings… It was a humid evening and the humidity and atmospheric distortion make the moon look like it’s dripping as it rises out of the ocean.”
About the photographer:
Jim Miller is a nature photographer located in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, and has been photographing coastal South Carolina for nearly 50 years. His love of nature, water sports, and travel has shaped his photography.
L to R: Scenes of SC category runner up: Table Rock in the Fall by Candy Jones and second runner up: Spanish Moss by Dale Staley.
Carolina Critters Winning Entry: Don’t even think about it (Osprey) by Scott Harris.
Don’t even think about it (Osprey) by Scott Harris.
More about the photo from Scott Harris:
“Every day for about a week, it would stop by and spend some time in the same tree. At first, it flew off when I approached, but after a couple of days, we seemed to reach an understanding and I was allowed to get close enough to snap a couple of photos, including the one that I was so fortunate to have been honored with this award. Osprey are my favorite of the Raptors, so I feel doubly blessed when they stop by for a visit.”
About the photographer:
Scott has traveled to 34 states looking for each of the 53 Raptors that call the Lower 48 states home. Some were extremely hard to find and some—literally—were right in his own backyard, which was the case with this Osprey. He and his wife retired to Lake Greenwood three years ago after living their whole lives in Southern California.
L to R: Carolina Critters category runner up, Unexpected by Bonnie Fisher, and second runner up, Prothonotary Reflections by Jim Miller.
People in Nature Winning Entry: Sesqui Cycler by Tami Kyre.
Sesqui Cyler by Tami Kyre.
More about the photo by Tami Kyre:
“This shot was taken at Sesquicentennial State Park. It’s a lovely place with something for everyone. During my visit, I paused at the grove of majestic oaks found on one end of the pond. As I relaxed under the trees and enjoyed the sound of the water falling over the spillway, I noticed people making their way along the nearby path. Then a thought came to mind that I learned in my class… frame the shot and wait for someone to come through it. After several failed attempts, this cyclist finally rolled in and I got a successful capture!”
About the photographer:
Tami is a Columbia native who spent countless hours as a child playing in the woods, at her neighborhood creek, and along the shores of Lake Murray. She says, “Now that I’m retired, I get another chance to get outside and play.” She is happiest when she is outdoors exploring places in South Carolina from the mountains to the sea and calls herself a “self-proclaimed nature nerd!” She has been passionate about photography since she was in her twenties and is now combining her love of the outdoors with her love of photography.
L to R: People in Nature category runner up, Fall Fishing by Kristin Rahn, and second runner up, Sunset Kayaker by Jim Miller.
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