Give it your best shot!
Shutterbugs whose favorite subjects include birds, bromeliads and butterflies are invited to enter a photo competition organized by supporters of the Long Key Natural Area and Nature Center in Davie.
“Long Key is a popular place to take photos. I’m always running into people taking pictures there,” said Jan Lowenthal, a volunteer with Friends of Long Key. The nonprofit foundation, known as FOLK, was formed two years ago to promote and raise money for the park and its programs.
Foundation leaders brainstorming earlier this year with Kelli Whitney, a Broward County Parks and Recreation Division naturalist, decided a photo competition would be an unusual fundraiser and great publicity for Long Key.
“If we make money, that’s great. But our main purpose is to get people to Long Key,” said Lowenthal, a FOLK board member and contest chairwoman.
The entry fee is $15 for adults and $10 for age 18 and younger, with all proceeds going to FOLK. Winners receive cash prizes ranging from $50 to $150.
The contest is accepting entries (which can include up to five photos) through Feb. 28 in four categories: scenery, botanicals and plants, wildlife, and butterflies and other insects. There also will be an award for young photographers. All photos must be taken at the Long Key.
To that end, FOLK also is organizing contest-connected nature walks at Long Key beginning at 9:30 a.m. Jan. 14 and Feb. 18, with experienced photographers available to provide shooting tips. The walks are free but require registration. Call the park at 954-357-8797.
“If you go to Long Key, you can’t help taking pictures,” said Wayne Barnes, a lifelong amateur photographer who will be featured on one of these walks. The retired FBI agent from Plantation has his own investigation firm and, in his spare time, travels the country stalking unusual butterflies ready for their close-up.
Barnes, who’s also a member of Broward County‘s chapter of the North American Butterfly Association, said he plans to take walk participants to spots normally closed to Long Key visitors.
He’ll also be sharing secrets to nature photography. For examples, he advises learning about your insect. Some butterflies flit around their favored flower and leave but then return shortly and settle down for a full meal.
“So just sit there and wait for your shot,” Barnes said. “Don’t go chase it.”
Entries can be mailed to: FOLK Photo Contest, c/o Long Key Nature Center, 3501 SW 130th Ave., Davie, FL 33330. Volunteers will accept entries at the nature center from 1-4 p.m. Jan. 8 and Feb. 12 and 9:30 a.m.-noon Jan. 14 and Feb. 18. The winners will be announced on March 19. A “People’s Choice” prize will be given for the entry receiving the most votes from those attending the awards event.
For complete contest rules, entry forms and details: FriendsOfLongKey.com/contest.
dlade@sunsentinel.com or 954-356-4295
