Joliet resident Michelle Wendling’s photo of tall grass on a misty morning snared the top spot in August’s portion of the Forest Preserve District of Will County’s Preserve the Moment photo contest.
Wendling took the winning shot at Hadley Valley Preserve. “This shot was taken early morning right after sunrise,” she said in an email after being notified of her win. “I was drawn to the late summer tall grasses framing the soft sunrise with the mist in between. I love the cool mornings and misty sunrises in late summer and early fall.”
Wendling said she is a fan of the 807-acre preserve, which stretches from Joliet to New Lenox and Homer Glen. “Hadley Valley is always amazing at that time of day,” she said.
The Joliet woman has been participating in the contest for around three years. “I really enjoy sharing the amazing moments I experience so close to home.”
Honorable mentions were awarded to: Stuart Mann of Berwyn for a photo of purple coneflowers at Monee Reservoir; Michelle Richards of New Lenox for a perfectly framed shot of the sun at Hadley Valley Preserve; Byron Morgan of Crete for a frog and its reflection on a calm pond at Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve; Debi Shapiro of Lockport for a great blue heron stretching its wings at Isle a la Cache preserve.
All photo contest entries can be viewed at Flickr.com/WillCoForests. The contest continues through December with monthly winners. Entrants receive a participation gift, monthly winners receive a $75 Visa gift card, and overall contest winners will receive gift cards of $500 for first place; $250 for second place; and $150 for third place. Prizes are funded by The Nature Foundation of Will County.
For information on contest rules and how to enter, visit ReconnectWithNature.org.