Minocqua’s Northwoods Wildlife Center (NWC) selects annual photo contest winners

More than 150 persons participated in the judging of this year’s Northwoods Wildlife Center annual photo gala when they gathered Feb. 18 at the Campanile Center in Minocqua. Each year attendees determine the winning photographers in each category by casting their vote for their favorite photos as they enjoy food and beverages, animal programs and a chance to win raffle items.

A total of 168 photos were submitted in the six categories: North American wildlife, naturescapes, bugs and blooms, pets, trail camera, and youth.

NWC judges, Bob Metropulos, Dean Hall, and Howard Honig, selected the NWC Artist of the Year photo from the top winners of the North American wildlife category.   The 2018 Artist of the Year is Gay Van Pelt, who submitted the photos, “Good Morning.” Signed prints Van Pelt’s winning photo will be available next year with a donation of $100 or more.  Submissions for the 2018 photo contest will begin June . For more information on the contest, visit the NWC website at northwoodswildlifecenter.org

North American Wildlife Category

1^st – Good Morning by Gay Van Pelt (2018 Artist of the Year)

2^nd – White Deer Reflection on the Moccasin Creek by Brook Burling

3^rd – Hello by Julie Klug

Naturescapes Category

1^st – Curl of Time by J.H. Arnold

2^nd – Lake Tomahawk by Michael MacDonald

3^rd – Rainbow Web by Blake Richard

Bugs and Blooms Category

1^st – The Guardian by Evie Pokorny

2^nd – Milkweed Hug by Hannah Dana

3^rd – Frosty Perfection by Kathy Wilke

Pets Category

1^st – First Frolic by J. Keeler Johnson

2^nd – Heal by Kristen Dixon

3^rd – Doesn’t Taste Like Duck by Jeff Druckrey

Trail Cameras Category

1^st – Phantom of the Swamp by Scott Samuels

2^nd – Sharing Mealtime by Charles Schaller

3^rd – What was THAT? By Victoria Palen

Youth Category

1^st – Crater Lake Critter by Xylina Graf

2^nd – Iris by Miah Newport

3^rd – Feeding Time by Rachel Burns