NEWS RELEASE
GRAND RIVER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY
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More photos than ever before – 624 –were submitted to the Grand River Conservation Authority’s 2016 photo contest which closed at the end of October.
The winners are people who combine their enjoyment of the outdoors with photography. The judges faced some challenges because it was difficult to make the selection. The photos that were submitted show the diversity of beautiful landscapes and recreational activities in the watershed and will be used on the GRCA’s website and in the publications.
Grand Prize – Anca Gaston, Brantford
Photo: Bald eagle at Wilkes Dam, Brantford (above)
Anca Gaston is an avid amateur photographer, who enjoys capturing the natural beauty of the Grand River area.
The grand prize photograph was shot when Gaston, camouflaged behind tree branches, spotted a bald eagle fishing in the Grand River near Brant Park. Recalling the moment she captured the photo, Gaston said, “I noticed the female bald eagle soaring overhead with her sharp eyes focused on the river looking for fish. Spotting something, she quickly began her downward dive. As she approached the water’s surface, however, it became clear to me that the fish had gotten away because she swiftly changed directions, rising up from the water before touching it.”
The photo features the bald eagle in an upward flight position, displaying its powerful talons and spread tail feathers. Wilkes Dam and the Grand River are visible in the background.
In addition to a $500 gift certificate, Gaston won a pair of tickets to the National Geographic LIVE Series at Centre In The Square, Kitchener. The first place prize in each category was $250 and second place was $100, also from a local camera retailer.
First place recreation - Canoe poling, Elora Gorge. Photo by Jean Lefebvre, WaterlooFirst place recreation - Jean Lefebvre, Waterloo
Photo: Canoe poling, Elora Gorge
Jean Lefebvre is an avid paddler and a member of the Waterloo Wellington Canoe and Kayak Club. “I like to get out and commune with nature, but my favourite activity is canoeing. Canoeing and photography are a great combination of interests, as one provides material for the other,” he said. Lefebvre often paddles the Elora Gorge, where he can further develop his canoeing skills.
His winning photo shows his friend, Stephen Coutts, poling a canoe down the Elora Chute. Poling is a traditional, but now uncommon, technique involving standing in a canoe and using a long pole against the riverbed to travel up or down river. “Stephen is the only canoe poler I know, though I've heard rumors of another existing somewhere in Ontario,” Lefebvre said. “He is particularly skilled at guiding his canoe in this unusual way. It makes for a good photography subject.”
Second place Recreation - Hiker at Shade’s Mills Park. Photo by Sigrid Rhodes, WaterlooSecond place Recreation - Sigrid Rhodes, Waterloo
Photo: Hiker at Shade’s Mills Park
Sigrid Rhodes, an avid photographer and outdoor enthusiast, takes her camera on all sorts of outdoor adventures. “I once saw a white robin, but I didn’t have my camera with me. I vowed to never leave the house without it again. Now, I take my camera with me everywhere, even while kayaking,” she said.
Rhodes and her husband, Ron, buy a Grand River Parks membership pass each year. “We live around the corner from Laurel Creek Park, but we love to explore other parks, too. With our membership, we pursue our hobbies such as bird watching, geocaching, kayaking and cross country skiing,” she said. “We photograph the trilliums in the spring, the lush green forests in the summer, the fall colours and finally the frozen lakes and snow in the winter.”
The prize-winning photograph was shot on a beautiful spring day at Shade’s Mills Park along the Toyota Way Trail.
First place Nature - Scenic Eramosa River. Photo by Shari Lovell, RockwoodFirst place Nature - Shari Lovell, Rockwood
Photo: Scenic Eramosa River
Shari Lovell never leaves home without her camera. “My preferred focus is candid street photography and special events,” she said. “But when you live in such a beautiful part of Ontario, it is hard not to take advantage of the photo opportunities that abound here.”
The Eramosa River, which flows through Rockwood Park, is the subject of Lovell’s prize-winning photograph. “I am fortunate enough to live in Rockwood, so if I see a dramatic sky developing, I know there will be a great photo op, and I can zip over to the park to try to capture it. That particular vantage point is one of my favourites,” she said.
Lovell is a member of the Guelph Photographers Guild and encourages people of all skill levels who are interested in photography to join.
Second Place Nature - Happy squirrel. Photo by Brenda Lawlor, CambridgeSecond Place Nature - Brenda Lawlor, Cambridge
Photo: Happy squirrel
Brenda Lawlor is a self-taught photographer with a passion for the natural world. “I began my photographic journey six years ago with a Nikon 3000, virtually no technical knowledge, and a desire to capture nature's beauty,” she said.
Lawlor shot the prize-winning photo on a crisp November afternoon on a Speed River trail. “I was attempting to capture blue jays and cardinals, and was offering sunflower seed as payment. This young squirrel was an uninvited guest to my party, so I offered him his own portion of seed off to the side,” she said. “As I continued to photograph the birds, I glanced over and saw the squirrel happily feasting on the seed. Realizing this was the shot, I quietly and steadily got closer and closer and this was the end result.”
First place – panorama - Elora Quarry Panorama. By Ken Borghese, GuelphFirst place – panorama - Ken Borghese, Guelph
Photo: Elora Quarry Panorama
Ken Borghese has had an interest in photography for many years, and since retiring has joined both the Guelph Photographers Guild and the Guelph Wellington Seniors Association's Into Focus Photography Club. “There is no subject on which I focus my hobby. I enjoy capturing photographs of everything and learning more every time I trip the shutter,” Borghese said.
His winning panorama of the Elora Quarry was captured on a busy summer afternoon. “My wife and I had heard of the consistent popularity of Elora Quarry Park and decided to see for ourselves,” he said. “We were not disappointed.”
Ken shot from a vantage point where much of the quarry was visible, and created the panorama by stitching 12 photographs together.
Second place - Panorama – Rockwood Park Panorama. By Marc Cadranel, OakvilleSecond place - Panorama – Marc Cadranel, Oakville
Rockwood Park Panorama
Marc Cadranel, born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, spent nearly 20 years in South Africa before immigrating to Canada in 1999 with his family. He started taking photographs in his teens – mainly slides back then – and has always loved nature photography.
During the summer months, Cadranel and his family are avid weekend day-trippers. They can be found exploring southern Ontario and reconnecting with nature as much as possible. “The area around us is so beautiful, varied and widespread that I suspect it will take us a while yet to cover it all,” he said.
The winning panorama was captured on a beautiful summer day in Rockwood Park. When asked about the photo Cadranel said, “I particularly like it because, if one looks carefully, there are a few canoes that emphasize the imposing beauty of the park.”
The winners and a selection of contest entries may be viewed on Flickr
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