Friends of Prime Hook NWR    

The Prime Hook Delmarva Nature Photography Contest is open to all photographers, amateur or professional, Junior Student (12 years of age and under), Senior Student (13 to 17 years of age) or adult (18 or over). Photographs must be mailed or hand-delivered to the Refuge Office or Bookstore on or before October 8, 2022.  Submitted photographs will be judged by professional photographers during the week of October 9, 2022. Winners will be announced, and awards given at a reception for the artists and the public to be held in the Refuge Auditorium on Sunday, October 16, 2022, from 2:00PM to 4:00PM. Entries will be displayed in the auditorium from October 17, 2022, to December 11, 2022.  

Entries may be in any or all categories:

Delmarva Scenery (landscapes or seascapes)
Native Birds
Other Native Wildlife (fish, insects, amphibians, mammals, reptiles, etc.)
Native Plants and Flowers
The Beauty of Prime Hook
Senior Student
Junior Student

To qualify as Delmarva Scenery, photographs must have been taken somewhere on the Delmarva Peninsula (i.e., in Delaware or on the Eastern Shores of either Maryland or Virginia). The Beauty of Prime Hook category encompasses only photographs taken within the boundaries of the Refuge. Photographs of wildlife, flowers, and plants must be of native species. "Native" is defined as "grown, produced, or originating in a particular place or in the vicinity" or "living or growing naturally in a particular region (indigenous)." Simply, "native" should be taken to mean "not introduced by humans." Compared to non-native species, native plants and wildlife are more adapted to an area and are more disease and drought resistant. Native plants provide the greatest benefits to wildlife through a diversity of food and cover. The Native Flowers and Plants category is limited to Delmarva's wild flora. Ineligible subjects include cultivated plants or flowers, domestic animals (dogs, cows, etc.), museum habitats or groups, or subjects that have since become extinct. Banding is acceptable on birds.

Each photograph must be matted in white but unframed and should have the name, address, phone number and email address of the entrant as well as the name of the photograph, location photo was taken, and the category in which it is to be entered placed on the reverse side of the matte. The total dimensions (i.e. the photograph plus the matte) cannot exceed 16"x 20." Neither the photographers name or any type of writing may be displayed on the front of the matte. NOTE: Please use adequate adhesive. All prints must be mounted to the matte board (not inserted or taped). There is a mounting spray available in art- or photographic-supply stores. Peel and stick mattes are another option. Proper mounting will preserve, protect, and better present your photograph. It will also prevent mattes and/or photographs from coming loose and falling during the exhibit, which has been a common problem during past contests.

To be entered in the contest, photographs must be mailed or hand-delivered to the Refuge Office or Bookstore on or before October 8, 2022. The Refuge address is 11978 Turkle Pond Road, Milton, DE 19968 (off Broadkill Road). Refuge hours vary at this time, so please call 302-684-8419 before you plan to drop off your photos to make sure a volunteer or staff person is available to accept your photo(s). Entries must remain on display during the duration of the exhibition and may be picked up after December 11,2022. If you are unable to pick up your entry, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed envelope with your submission. Entries not picked up before January 8, 2023, will become the property of the Friends of Prime Hook NWR. They may be used for promotional purposes or fundraising. The Friends of Prime Hook NWR assume no liability for entries lost or damaged during the exhibit. The entry fee is $5 per photograph or 6 for $25 and must be included with the submitted photographs. Student entries are free. Please make all checks payable to the Friends of Prime Hook N.W.R.

Professional photographers will serve as judges. The Grand Prize is awarded to the person submitting the entry judged "Best in Show." Monetary awards will be given to the First, Second, and Third Place winners in each category and to the student winners. Special awards will be given to winners in "The Beauty of Prime Hook" category. Viewers will decide the "People's Choice Award," which will be presented at the conclusion of the exhibition. If you cannot be present at the Reception, your award will be mailed to you. If you have further questions, please contact the Friends of Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge at (302) 684-8419 or primehookowner@yahoo.com.

Please practice responsible and respectful wildlife viewing and photography.