With $1,600 in prize money and the entry deadline approaching, there is still time to submit photos—or vote for favorites-–in the Audubon Community Nature Center 2025 Nature Photography Contest. Pictured is previous Adult Landscapes Winner “Glacial Ice on Black Diamond Beach” by Arlene Bonnett of Jamestown.

There is still time to enter the Audubon Community Nature Center’s Nature Photography Contest – though votes are now being accepted for entrants as well.

The deadline to enter the contest is Monday, June 30.

Judges will choose the Youth and Adult winners in the categories of Birds, Waterscapes, and Single Blooms. In addition to $200 cash prizes, all winners will have their photographs printed and exhibited in the Nature Center. Eighteen finalists will also be named, three in each category.

Two additional $200 cash prizes are awarded for the Adult and Youth photos receiving the most Community Choice votes online. A photo could receive both the Community Choice and a judged award. Social media buttons are posted beside your images so you can encourage friends and family to vote for your photos.

All winning and finalist photographs will be displayed on the contest website and announced in a widely distributed news release.

Adult is age 19 or older or out of high school at the end of the contest. Youth is ages 8 to 18, or still in high school at the end of the contest.

In the Birds category, any wild birds will be accepted. Photos of birds in captivity, such as pets, zoo residents, or rehab/education animals are not accepted.

In the Waterscapes category, photographers can submit the photo of a favorite natural waterscape, from large expansive oceans, to rocky stream beds, rushing rivers, and lovely lakes.

Flowers are so incredibly delicate and detailed. For the category of Single Blooms, submit a favorite photo of a singular bloom.

Not a photographer? Support nature education by voting for favorite entries.

Deadline for submissions and voting on your favorites is Monday, June 30. Full details are at AudubonCNC.org/Photo-Contest, where current contest entries and previous winners and honorable mention finalists can be seen.

In celebration of Juneteenth, admission to the Nature Center building will be free on Thursday, June 19.

Audubon Community Nature Center is located at 1600 Riverside Road, one-quarter mile east of Route 62 between Jamestown and Warren. Visit the nearly 600-acre nature preserve, check in on the live birds of prey, enjoy the native tree arboretum, gardens, picnic area, and hike more than five miles of trails dawn until dusk daily for free.

The three-story Nature Center building houses interactive displays, a collection of live animals including the Hellbender exhibit, the 2024 Nature Photography Contest winners, and the Blue Heron Gift Shop. Visitors are welcome Mondays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Sundays, 1 to 4:30 p.m. Nature Center members and SNAP/EBT cardholders have free building admission daily. Building admission is also free every Sunday for non-Nature Center members.

To learn more about Audubon and its programs, call 716-569-2345, find Audubon Community Nature Center on Facebook and Instagram, and visit AudubonCNC.org. Check out AudubonCNC.org/about for a quick fly-by visit.