DNR Photo Contest Winners Announced
Christopher Michael’s fun photo of a river otter, titled “Waterways Wanderer.”
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has chosen the winners of the annual Maryland Natural Resource Photo Contest, with the grand prize going to Christopher Michael for his photo of a river otter, “Waterways Wanderer.”
This year’s contest received more than 1,800 photo submissions.
The grand-prize package includes $700, a Maryland State Park and Trail Passport, free entry into next year’s contest, and five copies of the 2026 calendar with the winning image displayed on the cover. In addition to the overall grand-prize winner, the judges selected first- through third-place winners in four seasonal categories—winter, spring, summer, and fall.
First-place winners for the three remaining seasons (other than the grand-prize winner) will receive $100, a Maryland State Park Passport, and five copies of the 2026 calendar. Second-place winners for each season will receive five copies of the calendar.
Still to be determined is the Fan Favorite, which will be chosen by popular opinion on the department’s Facebook page. Followers are encouraged to “like” their pick, with votes taken through close of business October 15. The Fan Favorite wins a one-year Maryland State Park Passport and three copies of the calendar.
Every winner and the Fan Favorite will have their images published in the department’s 2026 annual calendar, which will be available for sale later in the fall.
The winners of the 2025 Maryland Natural Resource Photo Contest are below.
Winter
First place winter – Waterways Wanderer by Christopher Michael
Second place winter – The Keeper Stands Alone by Christopher Szumlanski
Third place winter – Centennial Lake Ducks by Jim Bogdanor
Spring
First place spring – Four Pileated Woodpecker Young by Brian Smith
Second place spring – Yellow Palm Warbler Chases Dinner by Geoffrey S. Baker
Third place spring – Seafood Dinner by Scott Moody
Summer
First place summer – Dragonfly by Anis Khan
Second place summer – Pollinator by Heather Rees
Third place summer – Robber fly with a meal by Brian Whitaker
Fall
First place fall – The Milky Way at Blackwater NWR by Kim Kowalewski
Second place fall – Assateague Horse by John Carter
Third place fall – Spun Glass Moth Caterpillar by Michael Mininsohn
The department thanks all the photographers who submitted photos to this year’s contest. These images of Maryland’s wildlife, landscapes, waters, and outdoor activities are integral to DNR’s public outreach. Photographers are given credit if their photo is used by the department for any purpose.
All photos will be featured in the 2026 wall calendar that will be available for the holidays. A great gift for anyone who enjoys the outdoors, the calendars will be available before Thanksgiving on the DNR store website.
Next year’s photo contest will open early in 2026.
