This year marked the twelfth year of the MoDNR Photo Contest and the 410 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 photographs selected in each category and learn about the 2026 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, Ivan Leung, Ballwin, MO: “I saw this green heron while walking through the creek at Castlewood State Park. I watched it closely with my camera and waited for a shot of it fishing. Though it missed, I was still glad I was able to capture two animals engaged in this awesome encounter.”
Second Place, Dan Zarlenga, Florissant, MO: “On a particularly active night of lightning, several flashes are captured in the same frame over a lone tree.”
Third Place, Joe Fasig, Farmington, MO: “The fall colors were vibrant in the cypress swamp as this bald eagle gazed across Mingo National Wildlife Refuge.”
Honorable Mention, John Taylor, Ballwin, MO: “While on an early morning hike in November through Shaw Nature Reserve, the rising sun cut through some fast-moving low fog. The scene lasted just a few minutes and left me breathless and thankful that I was there.”
Unique Places
First Place, Raymond Huskey, DeSoto, MO: “Sandy Creek Covered bridge is one of my favorite spots. This time I decided to shoot from the inside. You can appreciate the interior construction better this way.”
Second PlaceTony D. Cook, Fayette, MO: “Early evening at Arrow Rock State Historic Site, time for a visit and beverage and meal with friends of the present and past.”
Third Place, David Bond, Catawissa, MO : “Photo of the Milkyway over Elephant Rocks State Park during the Black Moon on Aug 23, 2025”
Honorable Mention, Bob Crow, Hartsburg, MO:”I love the Katy Trail State Park for birding, especially Eagles. In addition to birds, on this day I ran into a couple enjoying the trail on bikes. The telephoto lens I used really gave this image an Impressionistic feel, compressing the image.”
People Enjoying Missouri’s Natural Resources
First Place, Lyndsey Neeley, Bernie, MO: “Noah, age 2.5, loved running and sliding in the gloppy mud from irrigation in the first Bernie, Missouri cotton field. Then, just a few turnrows down, he explored the vast distinction of the dry, flaky crust in this cotton field. Oh, the childhood memories this brings back for so many!”
Second Place, Diana Holt, Fredricktown, MO: “Our grandkids love to discover minnows, crawdads and box turtles in the creek that runs along our property that adjoins Mark Twain National Forest in Madison County.”
Third Place, Beverly McDaniel, Willow Springs, MO:”Evie loves to feed donkeys.”
Honorable Mention, Joshua Roundy, Kansas City, MO: “A father and his son exploring a creek at Watkins Mill State Park.”
