Friends of Iroquois Wildlife Refuge announce photo contest winners

Sam Ramos of East Amherst took this photo of heron that won the $100 first prize in the birds category.

Press Release, Friends of Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge

MEDINA – The winners of the 2024-25 photo contest held by Friends of Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge were announced Saturday at the nonprofit group’s annual meeting at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library.

First, second and third place were chosen in three categories: birds, other wildlife, and landscape. Three professional photographers judged the photos: Max Schulte of WXXI in Rochester, Tina MacIntyre-Yee of USA Today Co., and Matt Wittmeyer of Matt Wittmeyer Photography in Rochester.

Tina Westcott of Clarence won first place in the “Other Wildlife” category for her photo of a frog.

Winning first place in the birds category and garnering the most support from the judges in the contest was a photo of a heron by Sam Ramos of East Amherst, who won a $100 prize. Second place and a $50 check went to Derick Dietrich of Newfane for a photo of a Sandhill crane; and third and a $25 check went to Jay Terkel of Corfu for his photo of a heron.

The winning entry in the other wildlife category went to Tina Westcott of Clarence for her photo of a frog, which gained the second-highest level of support among the judges. Second place went to Jessica Waite of Oakfield for her photo of a bee; and third to Sandy Geschwender for her photo of a butterfly.

Rudy Edlund of Lockport won first place in the landscape category for his dramatic photo of storm clouds over the refuge. Second place went to Kathy Robinson of Le Roy for a photo of Oak Orchard River; and third to Gary Robinson of Le Roy for a photo of trees mirrored in water.

To see all the winning photos, click here.

Photos for next year’s contest can be taken anywhere from August of this year through Sept. 1 of 2026.

“Thank you to all those who participated in this year’s contest. Photography is one of the many ways people enjoy using the refuge, and there are so many opportunities there,” said Richard Moss of Medina, president of Friends of Iroquois NWR. “If you are a photographer who uses the refuge on a regular basis, please consider participating in the 2025-26 version of the contest.”

FINWR, which works to support and enhance the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, is a 501(3)c corporation and is celebrating its 25th year.