Photo Contest
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Save the Bay Photo Contest

25 Photo Contest Winners 171x593

Monday, March 3, 2025 - Friday, March 28, 2025

Open to both amateur and professional photographers, CBF's annual Save the Bay Photo Contest highlights the beauty and character of the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed through the eyes of those who enjoy it.

Congratulations to our 2025 photo contest winners! Thank you to everyone who submitted photographs illustrating their vision of the Bay region—from Pennsylvania to Virginia, from the Shenandoah Mountains to the Eastern Shore.

The first-prize photograph appears in CBF's 2026 calendar. All winners will also receive a one-year membership to CBF and will have their photos displayed on CBF's website, in a CBF e-newsletter, and in CBF's Save the Bay magazine.

2025 Winners

First Place

George Kurzik (prize: $500)

An orange glow below dark clouds illuminates a towering rocky outcrop surrounded by water.

The sun sets over Chickies Rock overlooking a bend in the Susquehanna River in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

George Kurzik

Second Place

John Reitzel (prize: $250)

An egret stands on an outcropping next to a bloom of purple spiked flowers.

An egret takes an early morning stroll along Pennsylvania's Susquehanna River near Washington Boro and the Conejohela Flats.

John Reitzel

Third Place

Barbara Houston (prize: $150)

A brown and white oystercatcher with orange eye and bill reaches below the water's surface to grab an oyster.

An American oystercatcher works hard to get an oyster as the incoming tide laps his bill and face in Fort Monroe, Virginia.

Barbara Houston

Viewer's Choice Award

Leslie Pulford (prize: $100)

A juvenile barred owl peers over a thick tree branch.

Piney Run Park in Eldersburg, Maryland, is a great place for watching birds like this juvenile barred owl.

Leslie Pulford


Winners Gallery

Check out our map below to see where this and previous years' winner photos were taken.

View larger map

Map not showing? Go directly to winners map page.

Get notified when our 2026 event kicks off.

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