Our shutterbugs took exploring and capturing the beauty of Tennessee seriously when we asked them to help us celebrate the state’s Natural Areas. Working in conjunction with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation this time, we are proud to present these winners whose photographs were chosen from nearly 1,000 entires.
“We’re delighted to partner with The Tennessee Magazine to help us celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Natural Areas Preservation Act,” says Roger McCoy, director of the Division of Natural Areas. “Since Gov. Winfield Dunn signed this vital legislation in 1971, biologists with the division have identified a number of important sites the act now protects. Along with allowing for passive recreation, state natural areas protect imperiled plants and animals — some of which are found nowhere else in the world — and provide visitors a glimpse of our state’s amazing natural diversity.”
Guest judges Lacy Atkins, an award-winning photographer, and David Pineros, Division of Natural Areas natural heritage biologist, helped our staff select the winners.
“All the photographs in the contest show the appreciation Tennesseans have toward nature and the amazing diversity of landscapes and species in the state. Seeing this response from the community to celebrate our Natural Areas encourages us to continue working for the conservation of our natural heritage,” says Pineros. “It was especially moving to review the Junior category as the mere thought of having young Tennesseans picking up cameras to record their natural environment is a breath of fresh air and a window for a brighter future in these challenging times.”
In a first for the Shutterbug contest, a Best of Show was recognized. “The photograph of Ozone Falls by J.C. Jones of Hermitage has incredible force evoking the wild and scenic land formations of Tennessee,” Pineros says of the overall winner.
We thank everyone who sent photographs for the contest. In this online exclusive, you can view additional images recognized as finalists.
Professional Shutterbug Winners
FIRST PLACE, PROFESSIONAL, AND BEST OF SHOW “Ozone Falls,” Ozone Falls, J.C. Jones, Hermitage, Middle Tennessee Electric
SECOND PLACE, PROFESSIONAL, “Fall Vibes at Lost Creek Falls,” Lost Creek, Jeremy Rasnic, Jackson
THIRD PLACE, PROFESSIONAL “Martha’s Pretty Point Overlook,” Virgin Falls, Willie Bailey, Clarksville, Cumberland EMC
HONORABLE MENTION, PROFESSIONAL “Little Fiery Gizzard Creek,” Grundy Forest, Myrtie Cope, Marietta, GA
HONORABLE MENTION, PROFESSIONAL “Skimming the Surface,” Reelfoot Lake, Gale Stoner, Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee Electric
HONORABLE MENTION, PROFESSIONAL “Upper Laurel Creek in Autumn,” Laurel Snow, Adam Welch, Oakfield, Southwest Tennessee EMC
HONORABLE MENTION, PROFESSIONAL, “The Hunter,” Radnor Lake, Howard Litvack, Franklin, Middle Tennessee Electric
HONORABLE MENTION, PROFESSIONAL “Stillhouse Hollow Falls,” Stillhouse Hollow Falls, J.C. Jones, Hermitage, Middle Tennessee Electric
HONORABLE MENTION, PROFESSIONAL “Snow in MBSP,” Montgomery Bell, Tanya Myatt, Burns
HONORABLE MENTION, PROFESSIONAL “Laurel Falls, Winter,” Laurel Snow, Adam Welch, Oakfield, Southwest Tennessee EMC
HONORABLE MENTION, PROFESSIONAL “Place of Rest,” Reelfoot Lake, Gale Stoner, Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee Electric
HONORABLE MENTION, PROFESSIONAL “Northern Parula,” Radnor Lake, Nathan Collie, Franklin
Adult Shutterbug Winners
FIRST PLACE, ADULT “House Mountain at Sunset,” House Mountain, Jacob Green, Kodak, Appalachian EC
SECOND PLACE, ADULT “Washing a Leaf,” Fall Creek Falls, Lisa Griffith, Pelham, Sequachee Valley EC
THIRD PLACE, ADULT “Winter Blues,” Reelfoot Lake, Casey Hall, Clarksville
HONORABLE MENTION, ADULT “Wintering Geese,” Duck River Complex, Marian Floyd, Waverly, Meriwether Lewis EC
HONORABLE MENTION, ADULT “Inside Out,” Virgin Falls, Britny Booth, Nashville
HONORABLE MENTION, ADULT “Out on the Lake,” Reelfoot Lake, Jasmin Sloan, Southhaven, MS
