Press Release
Florida Museum announces second annual ButterflyFest photo contest winners
Oct. 25, 2010
Media contact:
Paul Ramey, APR
Assistant Director, Marketing and Public Relations
Florida Museum of Natural History
352-273-2054, pramey@flmnh.ufl.edu
Writer: Leeann Bright
PHOTOS AVAILABLE
GAINESVILLE, Fla. --- Jon Sund of Green Cove Springs and Miranda Bennett of Archer received top honors in this year's ButterflyFest Pollinator Photography Contest. The winners were announced Saturday (Oct. 23) during an awards presentation at the Florida Museum of Natural History’s fifth annual ButterflyFest.
Sund, who won first place in the adult category for his photo, "Looks Good," and Bennett, who won first place in the junior category for her photo, "Can you see me?" both received cash prizes.
The museum will display the winning photographs in its Central Gallery through Nov. 30 and online on the ButterflyFest website www.flmnh.ufl.edu/butterflyfest/photo_contest.htm. Contest sponsor The Gainesville Sun published the winning photographs in the newspaper Oct. 24.
More than 70 photographers from three states submitted over 120 entries for the second annual contest.
In the adult division, open to ages 18 and older, Paul Morris of Micanopy won second place for his photo, "Moth Pollinating Moon Flower," and Bridget Lanier of Bradenton won third place for "Pollin Cameo." Orlando resident Stephen Presutti received honorable mention for "Eye on the Prize."
In the junior division, open to ages 10-17, Collin Kane of Gainesville won second place for "Bumble We Go," and Trey Lanier of Bradenton won third place for his untitled photo. Elena Newman of Gainesville won honorable mention for "Milkweed Feeder."
Volunteer judges for the competition were Andrei Sourakov, Florida Museum of Natural History Lepidoptera collections manager; Ryan Fessenden, Butterfly Rainforest production assistant; and Kristen Grace, a Florida Museum photographer who also works for Randy Batista Photography.
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The Florida Museum of Natural History, Florida's state natural history museum, is dedicated to understanding, preserving and interpreting biological diversity and cultural heritage. It is located near the intersection of Southwest 34th Street and Hull Road in the University of Florida Cultural Plaza in Gainesville. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Butterfly Rainforest admission is $10.50 for adults ($9 Fla. residents) and $6 for ages 3-17. Prices are subject to change. For more information, including directions and parking, visit www.flmnh.ufl.edu or call 352-846-2000.