In Wisconsin, where four seasons are better than one, photo opportunities abound no matter where you are in the state or what time of year you visit. Nine photographers earned top honors for capturing Wisconsin's beauty with entries in the Department of Natural Resources' 11 th annual Wisconsin's Great Waters Photography Contest.
Michael DeWitt of Ashland, Kristine Hinrichs of Milwaukee, Brent Hussin of Kewaunee, and Julie Kinzelman of Racine won first place honors in the contest's four categories, which include people enjoying Wisconsin's Great Waters; natural features and wildlife; historical and cultural features; and Great Waters stewardship.
Super Moon over Kewaunee Harbor Photo credit: Brent Hussin
DeWitt's photo, entitled the "Arch of the Apostles," was taken in February 2018 on Stockton Island in Lake Superior when the lake began to freeze. Strong winds and waves created an incredible arch measuring 12 feet high. Hinrichs' photo, "Capture the Moment," depicts the Milwaukee Pier Head Lighthouse at dusk framed by shades of blue, pink and orange reflecting off the calm waters. Hussin's "Super Moon over Kewaunee Harbor" photo depicts a brightly lit lighthouse in winter shining out over Lake Michigan where a bright orange super moon rises from the darkness. Kinzelman took first place with her colorful photo of a Monarch butterfly perched on a Bergamot bloom in Samuel Myers Park in Racine.
Karen Gersonde of Milwaukee, William A. Pohlmann of Cottage Grove MN, Emil Toney of Oshkosh, Michael DeWitt of Ashland, and Matt Jenson of Harris MN won second place honors for their photographs.
All photos are found in the 16-month calendar published each year by the DNR's Office of Great Waters and a new video highlights the winning photos. Details about the contest, along with all of this year's contest entries , can be found by searching the DNR website, dnr.wi.gov , for keywords " Great Waters photo contest ."
Sprinkled among the beautiful photographs are poems, short stories and descriptions of stewardship efforts from Wisconsin's Great Waters Writing Project. The DNR received 18 contributions for the Great Waters Writing Contest. Each year's writing project entries are featured in the calendar as well according to Susan Tesarik, the Office of Great Waters outreach coordinator who manages the contest.
The 2019-2020 Wisconsin's Great Waters calendars will be available at the Wisconsin State Fair's Exploratory Park starting August 1 and also at DNR regional offices and state parks visitors' centers.
"The annual photo contest and writing project is a fun way to highlight the many ways people connect with and value the Great Lakes and Mississippi River," said Steve Galarneau, director of the DNR Office of Great Waters. "As these photos and writings clearly show, the Great Lakes and Mississippi River are among Wisconsin's most cherished natural resources."
The Office of Great Waters is currently accepting writings and photos of Lake Michigan, Lake Superior and the Mississippi River for next year's contest. Wisconsin's Great Waters Photo Contest and Writing Project information and submission instructions can be found on the Office of Great Waters website. Visit dnr.wi.gov and search "Great Waters Photo Contest."