Prime Hook photo contest names people’s choice honorees

With a capture of two young pileated woodpeckers peering out of their nest, Robert Brown of Milton has won the people’s choice competition in the annual Prime Hook Delmarva Nature Photography Contest.

Brown snapped his award-winning picture while walking with his wife near Abbott’s Mill.

“All of a sudden, we just noticed them about 15 or 20 feet off the trail,” he said. “We stopped on a dime because we didn’t want to scare them.”

His shot of the juvenile woodpeckers is titled “The Lookouts.” Each bird is looking in a different direction from the nesting hole in the tree, creating a nice symmetry to the image. 

Brown attributed his award winner to being in the right place at the right time. “I was just happy to get what I got,” he said. “We were shocked and surprised. We couldn’t help but snap a couple of pix and off we went.”

They could hear the adult birds in the woods nearby, but they did not return to the nest immediately.

Brown began to be serious about birding and bird photography after moving from New Jersey six years ago. He has enjoyed photography for many years but focused more on travel and family shots. Nature photography and birding became perfect hobbies during COVID, he said.

Second place in the people’s choice competition went to Bea Hickey of Milton for her photo of an owl. Her “Sleepy Owl” peering out of a tree received only one less vote than Brown’s winner.

Third place went to Buddy Scott for his “Angola Canoes.”

The People’s Choice Award is chosen by visitors to the photography show. Each visitor is encouraged to vote for their favorite photo, and the results are counted and announced after the exhibit closes. A total of 161 ballots were cast, and the competition was a very close one, with many of the photos receiving votes. The show opened Oct. 15 and closed Dec. 9.

The annual contest attracted almost 40 photographers who submitted 207 photographs in six different categories. A panel of judges had already decided on the other awards for the contest.

For full results, go to friendsofprimehook.com.  

Everyone is encouraged always to practice responsible and respectful wildlife viewing and photography.