by Frank Zurey

The Numbers

• 37 members entered this year’s contest
• 276 individual entries
• 93% of images were digitally submitted

Contest summary

Many top-rate entries made the judges job challenging this year, but it was a challenge they appreciated. Al Perry practically stole the show, grabbing five first place honors and also winning Best of Show for both photography and writng and taking first place in the Members Choice Photo Awards. But numerous other folks took home honors for their writing and photography.

This year's contest was again a notable success, according to co-chairs Frank Zurey and Maryann Gaug, with substantial increases in bothe the number of individuals entering and the number of items entered. A humorous Photo Challenge was initiated and eighteen entries were received, and member Angelo Sciulli prepared an entertaining Power Point presentation of the entries that was shown at the awards banquet.

A total of 37 individuals entered the contest this year, compared with 24 last year and 15 the year before. An interesting statistic, Zurey and Gaug said, is that 93% of the photo images this year were submitted as digital files, compared to 80% last year and 42% the year before. Three years ago digital images were not accepted.

The Judges

RMOWP member and acclaimed nature photographer Tom Ulrich was the photography judge. A freelance photographer since 1975, Tom has been the recipient of many prestigious awards and numerous magazines and other publications have used many of his 350,000 plus transparencies. Tom leads photo tours to remote parts of the world, conducts photo seminars and workshops around the country, and lectures at numerous universities.

The writing judge was longtime RMOWP member Ron Hellbusch, who tells us that the outdoors is his passion in life. He enjoys hunting, fishing, hiking and photography, looking for each and every opportunity to enjoy nature. A resident of the Denver area, Ron writes an outdoors column for six north metro suburban weekly newspapers, as well as writing occasionally for Hunting & Fishing News and ESPN Outdoors.

A few contest highlights include the following:

• Best of Show Photography went to Al Perry for his image "Red-tailed Hawk Attacking Mexican Free-tailed Bats" in the Published Images category.
• Member’s Choice - voted by conference attendees - went to Al Perry for his print "Male Painted Bunting".
• Best of Show Writing went to Al Perry for his article "Brazilian Free-tailed bats" published on the web at naturescapes.net, April 2006.

Your Chance NOT to Miss Out Next Year!
If you did not enter this year’s contest, commit to entering next year’s contest. It is an opportunity to share your photography and publications with the membership. The slide show and awards presentation are some of the highlights of each RMOWP conference and your participation will make it that much better.

Results of the Contest
(See the winning entries... coming soon)

PHOTOGRAPHY

Best of Show

Al Perry, "Red-tailed Hawk Attacking Mexican Free-tailed Bats"

Image From Last Conference

1st Tom Cummings, "Arches 2"
2nd Kathy Turner, "Moab 2"
3rd Tom Cummings, "Arches 1"

Scenics

1st Al Perry, "Sunset on Tio Frio River"
2nd Nicholas Showalter, "Bale Train"
3rd Al Perry, "Sunset on Plateau"

Flora

1st Richard Youngblood, "Water Lily"
2nd Lynda Cummings, "The Cactus Flower"
3rd Richard Youngblood, "Underside of Leaf"

Fauna

1st Tom Cummings, "Dancing on Water"
2nd Beto Gutierrez, "Trophy Buck "
3rd Linda Martin, "Elephant Seals"

People in the Outdoors

1st Beto Gutierrez, "Sunrise Capture"
2nd Jack Olson, "Windows Arches"
3rd Randall Ennis, "Surf Fisherman"

Historical

1st Frank Zurey, "WW II Artillery Placement, Dutch Harbor"
2nd Tom Cummings, "Locked Out"
3rd Al Perry, "Bodie, California 3"

Cultural

1st Kathy Turner, "Balloon Fest 1"
2nd Tom Cummings, "Ride-em"
3rd Frank Zurey, "Santa at the Aquarium"

Events

1st Linda Martin, "Eroding Rocks"
2nd Richard Youngblood, "Clouds During ice Storm"
3rd Jim Baker, "Frosty Morning"

Best of Show

Al Perry "Red-tailed Hawk Attacking Mexican Free-tailed Bats"

Altered/Composite Images

1st Al Perry, "Sandhill Crane and Moon"
2nd Frank Zurey, "Essence of Devil's Tower"
3rd Frank Zurey, "Devil's Tower Framed"

Novice Images

1st Barbara Bradley, "Hibiscus
2nd Carolyn Ennis, "Bathing Cardinal"
3rd Lynda Cummings, "Yellowcrown High Heron"

Published Images

1st Al Perry, "Red-tailed Hawk Attacking Mexican Free-tailed Bats "
2nd Jack Olson, "Colorado National Monument"
3rd Sherry Zurey, "Auroual Loop"

Black and White prints

1st Al Perry, "Teton Mountains"
2nd Frank Zurey, "Church of the Holy Ascension 1825"
3rd Frank Zurey, "Arches National Park"

Member's Choice - Prints

1st Al Perry, "Male Painted Bunting"
2nd Carlene Shrum, "A Frosty Fog"
3rd Tom Ulrich, "Self-Portrait"

WRITING

Best of Show

Al Perry, "Brazilian Free-tailed Bats" naturescapes.net

Published Article on 2005 or 2006 Conference

1st John Catsis, "Weekend Getaway", Pilot Getaways, Jan/Feb 2006

TV/Movie/Video

1st 3-way tie: Andy Lightbody, "Outdoor Adventures - Fishing with the King", "Weekend Adventures - Glenwood Springs" and "Outdoor Adventures - Ice Fishing - Blue Mesa"

Books and Scripts for TV/Movie/Video

1st Don & Barbara Laine, Best Short Hikes in Arizona, The Mountaineers
2nd Andy Lightbody, Elk Hunting in Gunnison, script
3rd Robert Stone, Day Hikes in the Beartooth Mountains, Day Hike Books

Newspaper Articles/Columns/Editorials

1st Mary Peachin, "Spirit Bears of Canada", Arizona Daily Star, October 22, 2006
2nd Dan England, "One Step at a Time", Greeley Tribune, August 6, 2006
3rd Mary Alice Murphy, "MAM's Musings - Dogs", Silver City Daily Press, November 17, 2006

Magazine Articles/Columns/Editorials

1st Lee Allen, "Archery Anglers", Arizona Wildlife Views, Jan-Feb 2006
2nd John Catsis, "there's more to Groom than a Cross", Route 66, Fall, 2006
3rd Tom Bryant, "Mounted Shooting", The Horseman's Voice, August 2006

Newsletter Writing of Any Kind

1st Jack Olson, "Canyonlands Needles District" RMOWP Newsletter, Mar/Apr 2006
2nd Barbara Bradley, "Scott Sheridon - Fishing for a Cure", The Catfish Connection, Spring-Summer 2006
3rd Maryann Gaug, "Cloudy Arches", RMOWP Newsletter, July/August 2006

Web Writing

1st Al Perry, "Brazilian Free-tailed Bats", naturescapes.net