6th Annual WBM Photography Contest

While an annual photo contest always draws out the best in any American city, it’s hard to imagine a more fruitful backdrop for such a tradition as in our coastal towns and rivers in Southeastern North Carolina.

With lots of bird, beach and beachgoer pictures showing up each year in our contest, we might fear such redundancies would grow old, but it’s quite the contrary. These beautiful indigenous creatures and scenes never grow old, and they actually present a unique challenge for both amateurs and pros to find a unique and inventive way to recapture their splendor with a fresh angle. There’s also the wonderful ever-changing “slice of life” pictures that capture our local lifestyles.

Our annual photo contest edition never ceases to delight our readers, as it exposes the spectacular vistas, flora, fauna and people, and also the talent demonstrated by those behind the lens. In fact, it becomes a delightful burden to make the sometimes impossible choices to select the category winners.

This year you’ll find the first-place winners, and scads of what we are calling “Spectacular Submissions,” which allows us to feature even more great photos, restrained only by the available space in this issue.

 — Steve McMillan, Photography Editor

For all following photo groups, click to see the entire photo

Professional Entries: People Category

First Place

You Will Not Be Forgotten by Peter Oehl

“This was taken during the 2023 Wilmington Police Department’s memorial ceremony. The mounted officer leads the riderless horse, which is a symbol honoring and remembering those who have died in the line of duty.”

Spectacular Submissions

I Wanna Be Like Big Mike by Peter Oehl

“I had the opportunity to capture shots of the Azalea Festival this year and a few stood out to me, this being one of them. Everyone loves a firefighter.”

Waterman at Dawn by Phil Barbalace

“An early morning view of a waterman as the rising sun tries to cut through the fog on the waterway just south of Wrightsville Beach.”

Amateur Entries People Category

First Place

Until Tomorrow by Barbie Rogers

“Our boat Barbie Girl coming in for the night, until tomorrow, at Mason’s Marina in Ogden.”

Spectacular Submissions

Turtle Release by Ryan Weeks

“Volunteers from the Karen Beasley Turtle Hospital prepare a cold-stunned turtle for release at Surf City.”

Aztec Quetzalcoatl Dancer by Peter Thibodeau

“This young lady was part of a group of dancers celebrating their Aztec ancestorial culture. They performed outdoors at the Cameron Art Museum.”

True Ocean Fans by Sounia Nejad Chaney

“Off-duty lifeguards get together to go body surfing during a stormy day in the off-season. Clearly, they enjoyed every bit of it. No one else dared to go out in the cold but they didn’t think twice. We are in good hands with individuals like this protecting us on the beach.”

Early Morning Fishing by Jim Woodson

“I went to Crystal Pier early one morning. I usually use a 24mm lens but that day I used my 400mm lens to get closeups of people fishing. I really like the contrast between the people and the background color.”

Air Idalia by Eric Kozen

“Surf was up at Crystal Pier when Hurricane Idalia passed by Wrightsville Beach. The shore skimmer surfers were taking advantage of the awesome shore break, catching massive air.”

Landscape Category

Professional Entries Landscape Category

First Place

Ripples, Mason Inlet by Jeff Chase

“This was taken June 17, 2023, on the north end of Wrightsville Beach using a drone. The north end is one of my favorite places in the world. I have hundreds of photos from there. This time I went late in the day, at low tide, to capture the long shadows and the texture of the sand and water.”

Spectacular Submissions

Coastal Collage by Paige Batson

“Imagine feeling the soft sand tickle your toes and soothing sound of the waves crashing nearby, making you feel like you’re right there, up close and personal with nature’s stunning craftsmanship when you behold this beautiful conch.”

The Splash by Heather Harman

“On an unseasonably warm day in February 2023, a friend and I went to Fort Fisher to get some beach reference photos for paintings. We found a secluded spot where the waves were crashing on the rocks in big sprays. I just love the darkness of the sand as it exploded up into the wave’s core and how it contrasts with the white foam spray.”

Foggy Morning in the Port City by Peter Oehl

“I took this in the late morning. I had never seen fog so thick. I couldn’t even see the other side and most of the river was hidden. I got to the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge and thought it looked ominous with one of the towers barely visible through the fog. Just as I was ready to capture a shot a bird came flying by to add to the drama of the scene.”

Meandering Path by Meg McGrew

“After a tasty lunch at a friend’s house, we took a stroll in her expansive backyard garden. At the very back there is a path that leads to Burnt Mill Creek. I loved this view of it, which seems both inviting and mysterious.”

Moonlit Waterway by Phil Barbalace

“The blue lights on the pier make an interesting effect with the otherwise monotone scene of the moonlight reflecting on the waterway.”

Summer Storm by Curtis Krueger

“After watching a glorious sunrise across the ocean, I turned to see a storm cloud coming from the west. As most reasonable people scattered, a few of us stayed to experience the power and glory of the changing weather.”

Sunrise Symphony by Curtis Krueger

“I am not an early riser by nature, but I am glad I woke up early enough to capture this image.”

Amateur Entries Landscape Category

First Place

A Wintertide’s Reflection by Ryan Imperio

“At the start of winter, the sun rises within the arch of Crystal Pier. A gap between the clouds and the horizon was just wide enough to allow the sun to peek through and reflect on the receding tide.”

Spectacular Submissions

Heritage by Lynne Harmelin

“Roberts Grocery on North Lumina Avenue in Wrightsville Beach during the holidays at night.”

Sun Setting Over the Dunes by Diane Boyd

“Photo taken at the north end of Wrightsville Beach. I was walking my dog in the late afternoon and had to stop to capture the beauty that surrounded me.”

At the End of the Tunnel by Timothy D. Smith

“As the sun was on the rise the waves were crashing forcefully around the pilings at Johnnie Mercers Pier. The spray created a beautiful glow within the uprights — a tunnel of golden light!”

Three Trees by Ryan Weeks

“Three fallen trees in Brunswick Nature Park showing remarkable symmetry.”

Masonboro by Tom Hanna

“Our beloved Masonboro Island on a beautiful early November morning. This is a special place for our family as my son has surfed the south side of the jetty since he was old enough to paddle across the inlet.”

Feed Me by Elizabeth Dalton

“Our family went to Wilmington’s Stanley Rehder Carnivorous Plant Garden at Piney Ridge Nature Preserve to look for pitcher plants and Venus flytraps. When I saw the beautiful colors, I knew I could capture a unique photograph.”

Southern Summer Star by Dorothy Griffin

“My wedding bouquet was made of hydrangeas, so their arrival every year is a reminder of that special day as well as the beauty of God’s creation. They never cease to bring me joy with their variety of vibrant colors as well as the hidden beauty of even the tiniest details, easily missed unless you take the time to look closely.”

Rainbow Waters by Olivia Fey

“To catch the water in its pastels, make sure to go just after sunset.”

Coquina At Dawn by Vincent Thompson

“Many locals know Kure Beach and Fort Fisher, but few make the trip to the beach when low tide coincides with a sunrise to see the beautiful coquina rock formations. When I show these photos to people, I often get a surprised look when I tell them it is between Kure Beach and Fort Fisher.”

Shrimp Ahoy! by Robert Thurston

“Sneads Ferry shrimpers at rest on a tranquil afternoon in December.”

The End of the Day by Lindalee Johnson

“This is Smith Creek Park. I was awed by the beauty of the sunset and just happened to notice the lone stand-up paddleboarder making the way back to land.”

Sun’s Serenade by Chloe Fey

“A picture of my friend surfing just as the sun was setting.”

Wildlife Category

Professional Entries Wildlife Category

First Place

Faux Guffaw by Bryan Putnam

“An overcast afternoon at Airlie Gardens lake. In a hidden corner at lake’s edge there is an ancient live oak where migrating black crowned night herons roost in great numbers. Nowhere else have I seen such a congregation of juveniles and adults in the same spot. I stealthily worked my way through heavy brush and balanced myself quietly on fallen tree trunks. Just as the shutter released this beauty did a stretch that appears to be a guffaw.”

Spectacular Submissions

Off Course On Point by Bryan Putnam

“Kayaking at Greenfield Lake in search of unique stories after heavy rains, I captured this beautiful red-necked phalarope on the hunt for surface insects. The storm had apparently pushed several of these birds off their migratory course. A few others were reported in nearby areas, and the Skywatch Bird Rescue received an injured phalarope that same day.”

Amateur Entries Wildlife Category

First Place

Waiting for Food by James Reber

“Young green herons taken at the south end of Wrightsville Beach, June 22, 2023.”

Spectacular Submissions

A Pensive Perch by Kaaren Slone

“I watched this ruby throated hummingbird fly back and forth to this cherry tree branch for over an hour while feeding, undoubtedly preparing for its long migratory flight south. I loved how its ruffled feathers and far off gaze gave way to deeper meaning. It wasn’t a typical ‘hummer at a feeder shot’ — that is why this is my favorite image from 2023!”

Juvenile Yellow-Crowned Night Heron by Jim Woodson

“I was walking in Airlie Gardens one Sunday morning when I came upon this young night heron perching on a limb over the pond. I was surprised how close I got without it flying away.”

My Arch Tool by Elizabeth Woodby

“Early one cloudy morning, I watched this tricolored heron hunting for breakfast. The sun had not quite peeked through the clouds and fog set in to give a reflection in the water.”

Skimming The Surface by Stan Washlesky

“Unusually calm winds resulted in a smooth surface at the south end of Wrightsville Beach in early June, which made for a cool reflection of a black skimmer while it hunted for the small minnows that often swim near the surface.”

Dancing Black Skimmer Chicks by Leesa Beckmann

“This photograph was taken at a Wrightsville Beach nesting site. The black skimmer chicks were waiting for their parents to bring them fish. The chick next to the adult just ate, and the other two were happily dancing, waiting for their turn!”

Snail Serendipity by Kaaren Slone

“I spotted this early morning land snail while hiking the Charles Kuralt Trail in Manteo. It was a great reminder to slow down and pay attention to the small stuff!”

A Smiling Seed Bug by Olga Lenczewska

“This ‘smiling’ seed bug is preparing to eat some nearby aphids. The photo was taken in the New Hanover County Arboretum in Wilmington.”

Orange and Red Beauties by Peter Thibodeau

“The butterfly is a Gulf fritillary on a zinnia at Shelton Herb Farm in Leland.”

Snake Peekaboo by Elizabeth Woodby

“One afternoon at Airlie Gardens, I looked up to find this female anhinga, also called a snake bird, above me on the branch. She looked down at me around all angles of the branch. This was the funniest one, to see her peeking.”

Coyote Pup by Tom Hanna

“This little guy just sat and watched me as I sat motionless from a distance of about 20 yards. I think he was just as curious about me as I was with him.”

Large and Extra Large by John Sutton

“This photo is unusual, not because the egrets are large and extra-large in size and look very much alike, but because they are actually getting along. Most of the time, the great egret and the snowy egret claim their space and don’t invite strangers. But this was be-nice-to-your-cousin-day.”

Back to the Sea by Ryan Weeks

“A solitary turtle looks out to the sea for the first time in months after being released from rehabilitation.”