Stunning killdeer photo wins Ohio’s Legacy Stamp competition

Columbus — An extraordinary photograph of a killdeer and its chick will be featured on the 2026 Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp, according to the Ohio DNR (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. The winning photo was taken in Cuyahoga County by Jennifer Beck of Lyndhurst, Ohio.

Beck’s shorebird photo was chosen as the winner of the 17th annual legacy stamp photo contest based on originality, composition, technical excellence, and overall beauty. This year’s contest had 57 entries, and submissions were required to feature a shorebird. Beck is a two-time winner of the Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp photo competition. Her photo of a bald eagle and an eaglet was featured on the 2022 legacy stamp.

Troy Nemitz, of Milan, earned second place with an image of a killdeer chick, and Brenda Traffis, of Concord Township, earned third with a shot of a short-billed dowitcher in flight.

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A killdeer is one of Ohio’s most abundant shorebirds, found on beaches and in wetlands, bare fields, grassy lawns, and even parking lots. Killdeer lay well-camouflaged eggs in gravel and successfully nest along driveways, on rooftops, or in parking lots as well as more natural habitats. Killdeer are named for their loud, sharp call, a repeated “kill-deer” sound. This shorebird is easy to identify with two broad, black bands across its breast and a rusty-colored tail.

Buying an Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp is a way for people to directly contribute to future management of Ohio’s wildlife, according to the Division of Wildlife. Purchase of the $15 stamp also includes a commemorative card and a sticker. Each year the stamp features a different species of Ohio’s diverse wildlife.

Supporters can purchase the 2026 legacy stamp, featuring the killdeer, beginning Sunday, March 1, 2026. The 2025 Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp, which showcases a hummingbird clearwing moth, is available now for purchase online through Ohio’s Wildlife Licensing System, at any location that sells hunting or fishing licenses, and on the HuntFish OH mobile app. A mail-in form is also available at wildohio.gov.

All stamp proceeds go to wildlife conservation, with most benefitting species of greatest conservation need through the Wildlife Diversity Fund. This fund supports habitat restoration, wildlife and habitat research projects, creation of free wildlife educational materials, as well as efforts to restore and conserve endangered and threatened species. In addition, $1 from every stamp sold goes to the Southern Wings program, which protects the overwintering habitats of Neotropical migratory birds that pass through Ohio.

Ohio residents can anticipate entering the 18th annual Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp Photo Contest next summer, with the winner featured on the 2027 legacy stamp. Mammals are the subject of the next stamp.