A picture you take while you enjoy the outdoors could win you cash and recognition in the Audubon Community Nature Center 2020 Nature Photography Contest. South Riding, Va., photographer Kathleen Furey, was a previous finalist with her photograph, “Swan Lake.”

The Audubon Community Nature Center is awarding cash prizes to winners of its 2020 Nature Photography Contest.

A large, multi-colored sign in the front window of the nature center building reminds those who come to enjoy their many outdoor opportunities to “Stay safe, stay sane, and remember to spend time outside for your mental and emotional health.”

One activity is taking a photograph that could win one of the Photography Contest prizes and be seen by thousands of people.

“The contest categories leave the field wide open for whatever fascinates you as a nature photographer,” said Alex Shipherd, contest judge. “Don’t be shy. Search out something that captivates you, and take your best shot!”

Cash prizes of $200 will be awarded to winners in both the Youth (ages 8 to 18, or still in high school) and Adult (ages 18 or older, or out of high school) divisions in all three categories of:

¯ Wildlife Portraits: any wild animal. No photos of animals in captivity, such as pets, zoos, or rehab animals.

¯ Macro Abstracts: anything that is natural/wild such as flowers, insects, leaves, water droplets, eyes/feathers of animals, close-up textures in nature, etc.

¯ Habitats and Landscapes: places that any wild animals live in and/or waterfalls, sunsets, mountains, etc.

The Audubon Community Nature Center will print the winning photographs to exhibit in the Nature Center, and winners will be named in a news release that is widely distributed, including to their local media, when known.

The six winning photographs and 12 finalists — six youth and six adults — will be displayed indefinitely on the contest website along with the photographer’s name and city/state/country.

The deadline for submission of photographs is Aug. 31.

Full details of the competition as well as images of previous winners and finalists can be found at ACNCPhotoContest.com.

The Audubon Community Nature Center is located at 1600 Riverside Road, one-quarter mile east of Route 62 between Jamestown and Warren. While the Nature Center building is closed due to COVID-19 per New York state restrictions, the public is welcome to visit the 600-acre nature preserve from dawn to dusk daily. Enjoy the native tree arboretum, gardens, picnic area, and natural play space, walk the six miles of trails, and view Liberty, Audubon’s non-releasable Bald Eagle, while practicing safe social distancing measures.

To learn more about Audubon, call 569-2345, visit AudubonCNC.org, or find Audubon Community Nature Center on Facebook.