Congratulations to our 2022 Photo Contest Winners!

Our 2022 Photo Contest has come to a close! Thank you to everyone who contributed photos to this year’s contest. We had over 300 photos submitted, taking us on a breathtaking journey to all corners of Washington State. From the San Juan Islands to Spokane, wilderness landscapes to your own backyards, your photos wowed! Our volunteer judging committee’s task was not an easy one.

Our winners did a phenomenal job of capturing all the wild beauty that Washington has to offer. Check out the winning photos below and join us in congratulating this year’s winners!

Brewshed® Connection Category
Shane Egresi
Grasshopper Pass, North Cascades. Syilyx (Okanogon) Native lands.

“Two things I love: Finding new hiking trails to explore in Washington, and trying a new brewery after a long day’s effort. Capturing various beer can designs with a scenic nature backdrop has become a hobby of mine that I’ve enjoyed over the last 2 years. This particular photo was taken at Grasshopper Pass Peak near Winthrop during the 2021 fall hiking season. I love the hikes and the hops of Washington!”

Fish & Wildlife
Jun Pua
San Juan Island National Historical Park. Coast Salish, Semiahmoo, S’Klallam, Á,LEṈENEȻ, ȽTE (W̱SÁNEĆ), Lekwungen/Songhees, Hul’qumi’num Treaty Group, Samish, Tulalip Native Lands.

“Here, on the meadows of the San Juan Island National Historical Park, a vixen chases after its prey in the rain. You can see the pupils of the fox dilate for the hunt, taking in more light and reflecting the green off the grass. Due to the rain, I remember being accompanied only by my pregnant wife, and it was an amazing experience to be able to witness the hunt, together and by ourselves. I hope that the locals and park rangers will continue to protect and find a place for these wonderful, naturalized foxes, and welcome the visitors they bring, so that we can bring our child to see them when he grows up.”

People & Public Lands
Kyle Rowe

Aasgard Sentinel, Enchantments. np̓əšqʷáw̓səxʷ, Wenatchi, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, and Yakama Native Lands

There are lots of climbing pursuits out there these days – some people like to boulder, others go for big glaciated mountains – but if you enjoy finding spectacular positions with perfect granite surrounded by pristine alpine wilderness, Washington can’t be beat. This photo is taken from the summit pitch on Aasgard Sentinel, just above Colchuck Lake in the Enchantments. My college buddy and climbing partner, Jack, is making the last couple of moves before we hike out via the Core Enchantments and back to our car after a long day. I moved to WA for the ski terrain but discovered alpine rock climbing along the way. Now, with a one year old daughter in tow, I can’t wait to show her all these amazing places in Washington and potentially take the same photo with her in the frame next time.”

Wild Waters
Chris Bauer
Tank Lakes, Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Skykomish and Tulalip Native lands.

“This shot almost didn’t happen – when I reached the trailhead, I realized I’d forgotten my hiking shoes at home. After a few extra hours on the road, it was a frantic huckleberry-powered hustle up the trail to make it in time for sunset. But once I arrived at the lakes and saw this view, it was all worth it.”

Wild Within our Communities
Mukul Soman
Marymoor Park. Duwamish, Stillaguamish, and Coast Salish Native lands.

“I am a Kirkland based Art Director and wildlife photographer. A delicate sensitivity towards the emotion of light and a great love for the wilderness and all creatures that inhabit those places are the foundations of my journey in photography. About this photo: An immature Anna’s Hummingbird who momentarily hung onto a slug while feeding on nectar from red hot poker flowers. That was quite an amazing moment of interaction between 2 critters, both depending on the same plant species as a source of food.”

Youth
Trillium Magus
Lake Sammamish State Park. Stillaguamish, Duwamish, and Coast Salish Native Lands.

“I am a 17 year old photographer. Most of my free time outside of school is spent in the field watching wildlife or doing research about the amazing biodiversity around us. There is a local park that I love to bike down to on the weekends to birdwatch and photograph nature year round. I was watching for waterfowl on the lake when this gorgeous female Common Merganser swam past me, with her fledglings on her back! This is such a unique behavior that I was so lucky to be able to capture!

Congratulations to our winners, and thank you to everyone who participated in this contest!