Beautiful Bug Helps Annapolis Woman Win Photo Contest

An Annapolis woman’s photo taken at the Glendenning Butterfly Garden won the grand prize in this year’s 11th annual Maryland Natural Resource Photo Contest.

About 150 photographers entered nearly 800 photographs in the contest, according to the agency’s website.

Laurie Brice of Annapolis earned the grand prize for her up-close Red-footed Cannibalfly taken at the garden within the Jug Bay Wildlife Sanctuary.

“I really didn’t think he’d win because he’s so ugly he’s beautiful,” said Brice. “I like everything from the ants to the elephants, and I thought he was pretty cool. I’m so delighted you all like it. Thank you! You have made my day!”

When asked how she captured the winning shot, Brice said she was volunteering at the sanctuary, taking photos while helping a woman with butterfly counts.

“This was just fortuitous. He was on a higher branch, I had a nice wide-open aperture and I got the creamy green in the background, which really set him off,” Brice said.

New this year, the Nature in Action category ushered in unique perspectives rarely seen or captured on camera. Additionally, the new online submission option was a hit, yielding nearly two-thirds of the entries.

In addition to her photo gracing the cover of the 2015 DNR calendar, Brice will receive the grand prize of $500, a 2015 Maryland State Park Passport, a lifetime subscription to the Maryland Natural Resource magazine and five copies of the calendar, which will feature the top photos.

First place winners will receive a Park Passport, a two-year magazine subscription, and five copies of the calendar featuring their work. Second place photographers receive a one-year subscription and calendars as well.

The winning photos will also appear in the winter issue of DNR’s quarterly magazine. Subscriptions are available at dnr.maryland.gov/naturalresource. Check out the winning entries here.

»Winnning Photo: Red-footed Cannibalfly by Laurie Brice Courtesy of Maryland Department of Natural Resource