ANNAPOLIS, MD—The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has announced the winners of its annual photo contest, with Christopher Michael taking the grand prize for his image of a river otter titled “Waterways Wanderer.”
More than 1,800 photos were submitted to this year’s contest, which featured four seasonal categories. Michael’s photo was named the winner of the winter category before being chosen as the grand prize winner. He will receive $700, a Maryland State Park and Trail Passport, free entry into next year’s contest, and five copies of the 2026 calendar featuring his winning photo on the cover.
The winners of the 2025 Maryland Natural Resource Photo Contest are below (full-size photos can be viewed here at the DNR website):
Winter:
- First place winter – Waterways Wanderer by Christopher Michael
- Second place winter – The Keeper Stands Alone by Christopher Szumlanski
- Third place winter – Centennial Lake Ducks by Jim Bogdanor
Spring:
- First place spring – Four Pileated Woodpecker Young by Brian Smith
- Second place spring – Yellow Warbler Chases Dinner by Geoffrey S. Baker
- Third place spring – Seafood Dinner by Scott Moody
Summer:
- First place summer – Dragonfly by Anis Khan
- Second place summer – Pollinator by Heather Rees
- Third place summer – Robber fly with a meal by Brian Whitaker
Fall:
- First place fall – The Milky Way at Blackwater NWR by Kim Kowalewski
- Second place fall – Assateague Horse by John Carter
- Third place fall – Spun Glass Moth Caterpillar by Michael Mininsohn
Full-size photos can be viewed here at the DNR website.
First-place winners for the other three seasons will receive $100, a park passport and five copies of the 2026 calendar. Second-place winners will also receive calendars.
The department is also holding a “Fan Favorite” contest, with voting open to the public on the DNR’s Facebook page. Followers can “like” their favorite photo from Oct. 1 through Oct. 15. The photo with the most likes will receive a one-year Maryland State Park Passport and three copies of the calendar.
All winning photos, as well as the fan favorite, will be featured in the department’s 2026 calendar, which will be available for sale later this fall at https://www.shopdnr.com.
Featured photo: “Waterways Wanderer” by Chistopher Michael via Maryland DNR
