Congratulations to all of the photographers in the 2012 TLC Amateur Photo Contest. On Saturday, September 22, Corie Stevens' photo of a red tail hawk taken at Harvard Gateway Park was selected as the People's Choice. Continue reading to see the other winning photos...

TLC's Amateur Photography Contest started as a way to introduce more people to the diversity and beauty of the lands that TLC helps preserve. Many of the properties featured are not open to the public, so the photos taken provide a glimpse of the wonders that arre found on private land throughout the county.

In 2012, Gail Moreland's photo taken at the Weers Conservation Easement was the unanimous choice of the judges for First Place. The colors, lines and shadows she found in the cattails capture a peaceful moment of beauty and art in the landscape.

The property is located about two miles south of Woodstock on Dean Street. A family lives in the house on the 33 acre conservation area. They are the third residents of the property since the land was preserved with a conservation easement that prevents future development. The easement donor was Dorothy Weers, who passed away nearly 10 years ago at the age of 93. The current residents continue her legacy by continuing to restore and manage the land for habitat that includes wetland, prairie and oak woods.

Second Prize was awarded to Giovanni Arroyo for his black and white photo of a Green Heron taken at Hennen Conservation Area - across the street from the Weers property!

The City of Woodstock owns the 25 acre property and TLC holds a permanent conservation easement that ensures the land will be available as a public park in perpetuity. TLC's offices are located in the farmhouse near the road, and while staff have heard this heron, and seen him fly off, he has never sat still long enough for us to get a picture of him like he did for Giovanni! 

Third Place was given to Paul McFadden for his photo of morning light on spider webs over Woods Creek at TLC's Acorn Lane property in Lake in the Hills. This 13 acre wetland provides motorists on Randall Road with a visual relief along this otherwise tightly developed road!

Acorn Lane was given to TLC in 2006 as part of a lawsuit settlement. With some restoration work each year, it is becoming a nice home for dragonflies and a good resting spot for birds that move through the area. 

Three photos were recognized with Honorable Mention awards:

Margie Bjorkman's photo at the Arvidson Conservation Easement in Ringwood,

Dennis Brightwell's winter scene at Westwood Conservation Area, and

Michele Myschkowec's early morning photo taken at the Moehling Conservation Easement.

There was a new category this year: landowner photo. Photographers were invited to take a photo of the property owners at their assigned site.

Steve Yoon's photo of Ders and Kathe Anderson was selected as the winning photo in this category.

If you are interested in participating in the 2013 contest, please contact Cheryl to be matched with a site as soon as possible.

Copies of the 2011 photo book are available here for just $15. 2012 books available soon!