Maryland DNR Announces 2026 Photo Contest Winners Announced

September 15, 2026

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has chosen the winners of the annual Maryland Natural Resource Photo Contest, with the grand prize, and first place in the spring category, going to Kyle Smith for his photo of a remarkable moment in nature – an Eastern Whip-poor-will on a branch while a squirrel sneaks up behind it.

Kyle Smith – Right Behind You

“The squirrel kept inching closer, sniffing the whole time, until it was right next to the bird,” Smith wrote in his entry to the photo contest. This year’s contest received more than 1,000 photo submissions, which were judged by a panel of DNR wildlife and photography experts.

For winning the grand prize, Smith will receive a $700 cash prize, a Maryland State Park and Trail Passport, free entry into next year’s contest, and five copies of the 2027 calendar with the winning image displayed on the cover. In addition to the overall grand prize winner, the judges selected first through third place winners in four seasonal categories—winter, spring, summer, and fall.

First place winners for the three remaining seasons (other than the grand prize winner) will receive $100, a Maryland State Park Passport, and five copies of the 2026 calendar. Second place winners for each season will receive five copies of the calendar.

Still to be determined is the Fan Favorite, which will be chosen by popular opinion on the department’s Facebook page. Followers are encouraged to “like” their pick when the photos are posted on September 16, with votes taken through close of business on October 30. The Fan Favorite wins a one-year Maryland State Park Passport and three copies of the calendar.

Every winner and the Fan Favorite will have their images published in the department’s 2026 annual calendar, which will be available for sale later in the fall.

The winners of the 2026 Maryland Natural Resource Photo Contest are below; larger images of the photos can be found on this online gallery.

Other First Place Winners:

First Place Summer

American Sandcastlebuilder – Matt Felperin

First Place Fall

Great Horned Owl – Brian Reidy

First Place Winter

Night of the Wanderer – Matt Felperin

Second Place Winners

Second Place Spring

The Sky Does Not Keep Time – Greg Hollows

Second Place Summer

Sunrise – David Brandes

Second Place Fall

Guardian of the North – Christopher Szumlanski

Second Place Winter

Red-winged Blackbird at BWNWR – Scott Warner

Third Place Winners

Third Place Spring

Willet eating a crab – Mike Saccone

Third Place Summer

One last leap – Scott Warner

Third Place Fall

Morning Flight – Ingrid Brown

Third Place Winter

Family squabble – George Borden

Fan Favorites

Fireflies Dancing Under The Stars Robert Fawcett

Rough Green Snake in the Rose Creek – Samuel Sather

Montjoy Barn and Aurora
Stephen Talabac

American Bittern Posing in Salt Marsh – Mike Saccone

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