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Florida's Wildlife Photo Contest: Capturing Nature's Best Moments!
Explore the winners of the 2025 Florida Wildlife Federation Photo Contest, celebrating biodiversity and photography in St. Marks.
Florida's Wildlife Photo Contest: Capturing Nature's Best Moments!
In a celebration of the stunning diversity of Florida’s natural beauty, the Florida Wildlife Federation held the 2025 Lou Kellenberger Florida Photo Contest under the theme “Florida in Focus.” This year’s contest attracted thousands of submissions, each one a testament to the state’s rich biodiversity and intricate ecosystems. Sarah Gledhill, president and CEO of the Florida Wildlife Federation, noted the importance of these entries, stating they play a crucial role in advocating for wildlife protection in our ever-changing environment. The winners were announced across a variety of categories, each showcasing different aspects of Florida’s wildlife and landscapes.
The contest featured five distinct categories: Wildlife, Birds, Native Plants, Recreation, and Landscapes. The results were nothing short of inspiring.
Celebrating Florida’s Wildlife
In the Wildlife category, Parks Marilla snagged first place with his captivating image of a Gopher Tortoise. Gabriel Jensen followed closely with a stunning shot of a Spiny Lobster for second place, while Ethan Coyle claimed third with an adorable photo of an Alligator Hatchling. Honorable mention went to Marcos Rodriguez for his cheerful Smiling Otter photograph.
For Birds, the first place honor went to Marcos Rodriguez again, this time for his striking image of a Florida Scrub Jay. Robert Gloeckner and Mark Schocken took home second and third places, respectively, with their remarkable photos of Sandhill Cranes and Pileated Woodpeckers. Elizabeth Phillips earned an honorable mention for her impressive Great Horned Owl capture.
| Wildlife Winners | Birds Winners |
|---|---|
| 1st Place: Gopher Tortoise by Parks Marilla | 1st Place: Florida Scrub Jay by Marcos Rodriguez |
| 2nd Place: Spiny Lobster by Gabriel Jensen | 2nd Place: Sandhill Cranes by Robert Gloeckner |
| 3rd Place: Alligator Hatchling by Ethan Coyle | 3rd Place: Pileated Woodpeckers by Mark Schocken |
| Honorable Mention: Smiling Otter by Marcos Rodriguez | Honorable Mention: Great Horned Owl by Elizabeth Phillips |
Flora and Impactful Recreation
The Native Plants category showcased equally dazzling entries. Don Pelliccia’s photo of mighty Cypress Trees took first place, while Pankaj Kumar’s enchanting image of an Orange-fringed Orchid and Christopher Harrington’s Buttonbush rounded out the top three. Stephen Poffenberger earned an honorable mention for his beautifully captured Cypress Knees.
Recreation was another exciting category, highlighting the joy of outdoor activities in Florida. Jeff Howe’s thrilling moment of Kayaking on the St. Sebastian River clinched first place, followed by Tiffany Gloeckner’s Daily Walk at Honeymoon Island State Park and Brian Kamprath’s snorkeling adventure at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. Christopher Berg’s serene Fishing on Anna Maria Island received an honorable mention.
| Native Plants Winners | Recreation Winners |
|---|---|
| 1st Place: Cypress Trees by Don Pelliccia | 1st Place: Kayaking on the St. Sebastian River by Jeff Howe |
| 2nd Place: Orange-fringed Orchid by Pankaj Kumar | 2nd Place: Daily Walk at Honeymoon Island State Park by Tiffany Gloeckner |
| 3rd Place: Buttonbush by Christopher Harrington | 3rd Place: Snorkeling at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park by Brian Kamprath |
| Honorable Mention: Cypress Knees by Stephen Poffenberger | Honorable Mention: Fishing on Anna Maria Island by Christopher Berg |
A Community Celebration
A highlight of the contest was the People’s Choice Award, given to the Whooping Crane photograph by Lizzi Fricker, selected through public voting. This award reflects the community’s appreciation for the talent and dedication of Florida’s photographers.
Winners will not only have their photographs featured in the FWF 90th anniversary calendar for 2026 but will also receive additional prizes, including gift cards and state park passes. To keep the momentum going, a livestream event titled “Capturing Conservation” will take place on August 19 in honor of World Photography Day.
The Florida Wildlife Federation, a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting Florida’s water, wildlife, and ecosystems since 1936, believes that showcasing such remarkable photography helps foster a connection to nature—a sentiment echoed throughout the contest. For those keen on capturing Florida’s wild beauty, organizations like Florida Nature Photography offer instant downloads of stunning images, perfect for both personal use and professional projects.