Bolingbrook Resident Takes Third Place In Brookfield Zoo Photo Contest

BOLINGBROOK, IL — A Bolingbrook resident took home third place in Brookfield Zoo's 2023 photo contest, according to a release from the zoo. John Sullivan, of Bolingbrook, was awarded third place in the bird category for his photo of a bald eagle.

More than 700 images were digitally submitted in this year's contest, the zoo said. A panel of professional photographers judged the photos and selected the grand prize winner as well as their top seven choices in the following categories: mammal, bird, and reptile/amphibian/invertebrate/fish.

The public was then asked to vote over a two-week period for their favorites in each of the categories.

Katherine Ramirez of Des Plaines won the grand prize with her photo of a bumblebee on a background of vibrant purple flowers, according to the zoo. She received a Brookfield Zoo Family Plus Membership; a Penguin Encounter for two people; an original painting by one of the Zoo’s Humboldt penguins, and a $100 gift certificate that can be used in any of the Zoo’s restaurants or gift shops.

Winners in the mammal category include: First place, Aneliese Benitez of Elmwood Park with a photo of a mother snow monkey and her infant; second place, Steven DeYoung of Thornton with a leopard photo; third place, Karen Grillion of Kankakee with her photo of one of the Zoo’s orangutans.

Winners in the bird category are: First place, Serena Ghanayem of Worth with a peacock photo; second place, Jeanne Rosone of Wood Dale with a photo of an egret that just caught a meal; third place, John Sullivan of Bolingbrook, with a photo of a bald eagle carrying a fish in its talon.

Winners in the reptile/invertebrate/amphibian/fish category are: first place, the late Nicholas McCarney of Sycamore, with a close-up photo of a snake; second place, Brooke Wallace of Antioch, with a photo of jelly fish; third place, Mallory Maticic of Channahon with a photo of a walking stick.

Over 6,000 votes were cast to determine this year’s winners, which can be seen on the Zoo’s website as well as its digital monitors, located around the park, through at least early November.