Grab your camera and head outside: The Hawk Mountain Digital Photo Contest is now open and accepting entries through October 31. Entry costs just $10 for up to five images, and there is no limit to the number of times a participant may enter.

The contest is sponsored by Dan's Camera City and held in honor of the 80th anniversary of the founding of Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Berks County.

A team of judges, including representatives from photo contest sponsor Dan’s Camera City, will select finalists, and winners will be announced in November. All entries must be submitted online and photos must be taken at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary.

“Today, nearly everyone takes digital photos, and lots of people are very good,” says Sanctuary president Jerry Regan.  “We hope the contest encourages more people to explore the Hawk Mountain trails and overlooks, to participate in our programs, and to practice more nature photography. And, it’s another great excuse to get outside.”

Winners will see their images printed in upcoming publications and products, including a Hawk Mountain calendar, in the Sanctuary’s member magazine, and on postcards sold in the Mountain Bookstore.

All semi-finalists will also be displayed in the Hawk Mountain Visitor Center during an extended exhibit that will run from late autumn 2013 through the winter months.

Categories include Scenic Views and Wild Landscapes, Outdoor Recreation, Native Flora, Raptors and Other Birds, and Other Wildlife.

“We tried to offer something for everyone,” says Director of Communications Mary Linkevich. “For example, only photographers with the very best equipment usually get great raptor or bird photos, but lots of amateur photographers show me excellent pix of flowers, people and scenic views.”

Entries need not be from 2014, so long as all images were taken at Hawk Mountain. Other rules are simple: no manipulating images, no infringing upon any copyright, and photographers should never harass visitors or harm the Sanctuary in any way in an attempt to capture a photograph.

"We designed the contest so entries may be submitted from January through the end of October, so participants can take photos in every season," Linkevich adds.

Celebrating 80 years in raptor conservation, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary is the world's first refuge for birds of prey and an international center for raptor conservation. The 2,500-acre Sanctuary, 8-mile trail system and Visitor Center is open to the public year-round. A modest trail fee or membership dues supports local to global conservation programs, including public education, professional training and scientific research programs.

For a complete list of rules, to enter, or for more information, please visit The Hawk Mountain Digital Photo Contest webpage or call 610-756-6961.

1/13/2014