Susan Beausang's photograph of a sandhill crane, titled "Whispers of Dawn," earned Best-in-Show honors in the It's A Wild Life category of Big Waters Land Trust's seventh annual Summer Photo Contest, the Osprey-based conservation nonprofit announced July 9.
The contest drew more than 130 entries from photographers across Florida, all vying for recognition in five categories. A four-member jury evaluated each image on composition, color, contrast, point of view, and storytelling without seeing the photographers' names.
Jennifer Jones took home two category awards: "Breath of the Prairie" won In Love with The Land, and "Nature's Calligraphy" won The Art of Nature. Andrew Furness captured the Beautiful Waters category with "Emerald Green Waters," and Harper Cook won Youth Perspective with "Cuddle Time."
The jury included photographer and writer Mary Lundeberg, photographers Harry Sayer and Barbara Banks, and Darcy Kelly-Laviolette, Executive Creative Director for Sarasota Scene Magazine, which sponsored this year's competition.
Jurors scored entries blind. Photographer names were hidden before judging began.
People's Choice voting ran through Friday, July 31, on the Big Waters Land Trust Facebook page, where followers cast likes and loves on their favorites. People's Choice winners are being announced throughout the day Monday, August 3, on the organization's Facebook page; specific winners had not been posted to the group's website as of publication.
The full gallery of selected images is available at bigwaterslandtrust.org/spc2026gallery or on the Big Waters Land Trust Facebook page.
Upcoming community events
- Big Waters Land Trust People's Choice winners — rolling out Monday, August 3, on the organization's Facebook page.
- Sarasota Youth Opera auditions — open for the fall staging of Rootabaga Country.
- Wellen Park Wine Festival — Nov. 13–14; tickets on sale now.
