The first place winner in the Birds category was Sam Ramos of East Amherst. Sam’s photo garnered the most support from the judges of any photo in the contest.
The winners of the 2024-25 photo contest held by Friends of Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge (FINWR) were announced Saturday, Nov. 22, at the nonprofit group’s annual meeting.
First, second and third place were chosen in three categories: birds, other wildlife, and landscape. Three professional photographers judged the photos: Max Schulte of WXXI in Rochester, Tina MacIntyre-Yee of USA Today Co., and Matt Wittmeyer of Matt Wittmeyer Photography in Rochester.
Second place in the birds category went to Derick Dietrich of Newfane for this photo of a Sandhill crane.
Third place in the birds category went to this image by Jay Terkel of Corfu.
Birds category winners
Winning first place in the birds category and garnering the most support from the judges in the contest was a photo of a heron by Sam Ramos of East Amherst, who won a $100 prize. Second place and a $50 check went to Derick Dietrich of Newfane for a photo of a Sandhill crane; and third and a $25 check went to Jay Terkel of Corfu for his photo of a heron.
First place in the Other Wildlife category went to this image by Tina Wescott of Clarence.
Second place in Other Wildlife went to Jessica Waite of Oakfield.
Sandy Geschwender won third place in the Other Wildlife category.
Other Wildlife winners
The winning entry in the other wildlife category went to Tina Wescott of Clarence for her photo of a frog, which gained the second-highest level of support among the judges. Second place went to Jessica Waite of Oakfield for her photo of a bee; and third to Sandy Geschwender for her photo of a butterfly.
First place in the Landscape category went to Rudy Edlund of Lockport.
Second place in Landscape went to Kathy Robinson of Le Roy.
Third place in the landscape category went to Gary Robinson of Le Roy.
Landscape winners
Rudy Edlund of Lockport won first place in the landscape category for his dramatic photo of storm clouds over the refuge. Second place went to Kathy Robinson of Le Roy for a photo of Oak Orchard River; and third to Gary Robinson of Le Roy for a photo of trees mirrored in water.
Photos for next year’s contest can be taken anywhere from August of this year through Sept. 1 of 2026.
“Thank you to all those who participated in this year’s contest. Photography is one of the many ways people enjoy using the refuge, and there are so many opportunities there,” said Richard Moss of Medina, president of Friends of Iroquois NWR. “If you are a photographer who uses the refuge on a regular basis, please consider participating in the 2025-26 version of the contest.”
FINWR, which works to support and enhance the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, is a 501(3)c corporation and is celebrating its 25th year.
