KEMPTON — Regular visitors to Hawk Mountain Sanctuary know that the photographs they take truly are worth a thousand words.
For one lucky visitor, a photo will now be worth cash in hand. As part of the sanctuary’s on-going 80th anniversary celebration, the Hawk Mountain Photo Competition is being held with the overall prize of $250 in cash and the first-place prize in the contest’s other categories being a $50 gift certificate to the Hawk Mountain Bookstore.
Friday, Oct. 31, is the deadline for submitting digital photos only, and the tax-deductible $10 entry fee allows for a maximum of five photos to be entered in each of the five categories. Photos are entered using an online submission form, with no limit on the number of entries, but the $10 entry fee is charged for each additional set of entries.
Online submission forms are available by accessing the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary website at www.hawkmountain.org and clicking on “Events” in the dropdown menu at the top of the homepage. Entry fees offset the cost to build the online entry form, ensure only quality entries and directly support Hawk Mountain science and education programs.
“This contest allows visitors to capture the beauty of the world-famous Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, and in addition having the opportunity to earn cash and gift certificates, some of the images will be printed in our upcoming publications and products, including the 2016 Hawk Mountain Sanctuary calendar,” Hawk Mountain Sanctuary director of public relations Mark Linkevich said. “We believe the photo competition will encourage people to discover and explore sanctuary trails, visit the scenic overlooks, take part in the many programs and practice nature photography.
“Having a photo contest expands our goal to foster a greater understanding and appreciation of the great outdoors and the Hawk Mountain mission of protecting birds of prey worldwide. This is something we’ve wanted to do, and what made it possible is the support and partnership from Dan’s Camera City in Allentown and Easton.
“We believe the five categories that have been selected for the contest capture the overall experience of a visit to Hawk Mountain Sanctuary. Semifinalists will be selected by a panel of judges from Dan’s and those images will be printed no smaller than 8-by-8 inches or no larger than 8-by-12 inches for display in the Visitor Center.”
Categories for the contest are “Scenic Views and Wild Landscapes,” “Outdoor Recreation,” “Native Flora,” “Raptors and Other Birds” and “Other Wildlife.” All entries must contain the name, address, email and phone number of the entrant.
All photos taken at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary may be used to promote its mission, programs and photo contest, which is intended to be an annual event. Photographers retain all rights and a proper credit line will always be used when a photo is used.
Contest winners will be announced at the annual Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Holiday Open House on Saturday, Nov. 29. Manipulation of images is limited to basic sharpening and cropping, and no text or manipulated content is allowed. Date stamps, signatures, frames and other camera information are not permitted.
Sanctuary events
For information on Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, access the website at www.hawkmountain.org or call (610) 756-6961.
Annual Autumn Hawk Watch: Under way through Monday, Dec. 15.
Digital Photo Contest: Entry deadline Friday, Oct. 31.
M&T Bank’s Raptors Up Close: Saturdays and Sundays through Nov. 16.
Art of John James Audubon: Free exhibit under way through Monday, Dec. 15.
Audubon’s Last Expedition: Lecture, Saturday, Nov. 1, 5:30 p.m.
Children’s Workshop Amazing Audubon Birds: Sunday, Nov. 2, noon to 2 p.m., ages 8-12.
Golden Eagle Saturday: Saturday, Nov. 8.
Diversity of Sound: Lecture, Saturday, Nov. 8, 5:30 p.m.
Children’s Workshop Owl Moon: Sunday, Nov. 9, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Holiday on the Mountain: Saturday, Nov. 29.