This year marked the eleventh year of the MoDNR Photo Contest and the 446 entries we received didn’t disappoint.
Published by
Scott Smith
on
The department asked amateur photographers to capture the beauty found in Missouri and selected first, second and third places, as well as honorable mention, in three categories: Natural Resources, Unique Places and People Enjoying Missouri’s Natural Resources.
Congratulations to the winning photographers and all those who participated in the contest. See the top 10 photographs selected in each category and learn about the 2025 MoDNR Photo Contest by visiting the MoDNR Photo Contest webpage.
(Click on the thumbnails below for a larger view and to read more information about each image.)
Natural Resources
First Place
Pam Stewart
Higbee, MO
Lightening Bolt at Sunrise
“On April 16, 2024, I woke up to the sound of thunder in the distance and also the glow of the sunrise in Higbee, Missouri. I grabbed my camera and headed outside. I took a picture of the sunrise like every morning, but this time didn’t realize I captured a lightening bolt in the picture. I guess I was at the right place at the right time!”
Second Place – Chance Wolfe – Republic, MO – Majestic Mallard – “I got this picture while walking around at Springfield Lake early one morning. A female mallard was preening herself right as the sun was coming over the trees, so I waited until she raised up and flapped her wings, allowing me to get this awesome backlit photo.”
Third Place – Randy K. Habel – Fenton, MO – The Aurora Comes to Missouri – “The Aurora Borealis captured in Kirksville, MO.”
Honorable Mention – John Taylor – Ballwin, MO – Exposed – “Low water levels in winter expose the roots of a cypress tree in Busch Memorial Wildlife Conservation Area’s Lake #33”
Unique Places
First Place – Dan Zarlenga – Florissant, MO – Illiniwek Village State Historic Site –
“The Milky Way looms over the site of an ancient Native American civilization.”
Second Place – Melissa McFarland – Festus, MO – Rust and Renewal – “Surrounded by lush greenery, the crumbling structures of the powerhouse, crusher, and machine shops [at Missouri Mines State Historic Site] create a striking contrast against the vibrant landscape. This site not only showcases the intersection of human endeavor and natural reclamation but also serves as a reminder of the passage of time and the beauty found in decay.”
Third Place – Julie Brown Patton – Wildwood, MO – Bridge 66 to Past – “When the U.S. Route 66 Bridge was built during 1931-1932 over the Meramec River, it was completed as a unique Warren Truss support structure – one of only four remaining in Missouri. I’m glad plans to demolish the remaining bridge structure were instead channeled into collaboratively preserving it with the hopes of renewing the creation to its useful glory as part of the Meramec Greenway.”
Honorable Mention – David A. Peterson – St. Clair, MO – Johnson Shut-ins in October – “I wanted to submit a fall photo and wanted a state park photo that showed fall colors and flowing water. Johnson’s Shut-Ins is definitely a good park for all the above. This photo is from an October morning with many colors showing along the river.”
People Enjoying Missouri’s Natural Resources
First Place – Melissa McFarland – Festus, MO – Discovery in the Stream – “This photograph is more than just a snapshot of a day in the creek – it is a reminder of the beauty of childhood, the magic of nature and the endless possibilities that come from exploring the world around us.”
Second Place – Dan Zarlenga – Florissant, MO – Cosmic Explorer – “A curious soul probes the starry night with a telescope.”
Third Place – Frederick Emch – Maryland Heights, MO – Enjoying the Lake – “As I was enjoying a beautiful sunset at the lake, I noticed others doing the same.”
Honorable Mention – Alexander Jimenez – Troy, MO – Overlooking the Bluffs (from Cuivre River State Park)
