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Maryland Department of Natural Resources
2005 Maryland Natural Resource Photo Contest Winners Announced
John Cardamone of Ellicott City takes top honors.
1st prize winner ANNAPOLIS - The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced the winners of the 2005 Maryland Natural Resource Photo Contest, which was co-sponsored by DNR, Boater’s World Marine Centers and Ritz Camera Centers. Running from mid-April to September 16, this year’s contest netted more than 800 photographs submitted by 176 photographers from every Maryland county and nine other states including Florida and New York.

This year’s grand prize winner is John Cardamone of Ellicott City for his photograph “Laughing Horse,” (right) a quirky photo depicting a wild pony on the wind-swept beach at Assateague State Park. Second place went to Steve Harman of Baltimore, for his exceptional close-up of a frog entitled “Golden Eye.” (lower left) Third place went to last year’s contest winner, Dan LaRusso of Berwyn Heights, for his sprawling “Western Maryland Landscape.” (lower right)

Ten other photographs submitted to this year’s contest were recognized as honorable mentions. Chestertown resident Robert Ampula had the distinction of having two photographs selected in this category while contest winner Cardamone had one.

“This stunning array of photographs we received truly captured the splendor of Maryland’s natural beauty,” said DNR Secretary Ron Franks. “We are thrilled with the overwhelming response to this year’s contest from such a diverse group of photographers, and are looking forward to showcasing the winning entries on our website, in the Maryland Natural Resource magazine, and in our 2006 calendar.”

2nd prize winner3rd prize winner
Honorable mention recipients were:
  • Robert Ampula, Chestertown – “Northern Screech Owl - Napping”
  • Robert Ampula, Chestertown – “Bluebird on Clothesline”
  • John Cardamone, Ellicott City – “Purple Lotus”
  • Michael Francis, Dickerson – “Heron”
  • Andrea Jackman, Friendship – “Autumn Skin”
  • Scott Lintz, Sparks – “Humming Boy”
  • Russell Mader, Annapolis – “Sunrise at Blackwater”
  • Melissa Anne McDonald, Germantown – “Pink Water Lily”
  • Dave Oman, Annapolis – “Colores de Amore”
  • Andrew Roach, Salisbury – “Savage River Below Dam”
Contest winners will receive over $1,000 in prizes from Boaters World Marine Centers and Ritz Camera Centers, as well as a one-year subscription to the Maryland Natural Resource magazine. Published quarterly by DNR, the Maryland Natural Resource magazine is available by subscription at www.dnr.maryland.gov.

Winning photographs can be seen online, along with a weekly gallery of select photographs.

October 3, 2005

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 446,000 acres of public lands and 18,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 11 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov