Photo challenge focuses on importance of Pennsylvania pollinators

Photographers of all ages are invited to focus on some of the smallest, but most vital, players in the ecosystem by participating in the Pennsylvania Pollinator Photo Challenge.

Contestants have until Aug. 13 to submit electronically a high-resolution image of a pollinator taken somewhere in Pennsylvania. The contest is sponsored by Penguin Court in Laughlintown, a preserve of the Brandywine Conservancy, and by the Westmoreland Pollinator Partners, an ad-hoc committee of 22 local groups working to promote and protect pollinators.

Bees come to mind for many people when they think of pollinators. Melissa Reckner, Penguin Court program manager, noted the term actually covers “a whole host of things. There are beautiful butterflies, moths and hummingbirds.” Beetles, flies and wasps also qualify.

During the covid-19 pandemic, Reckner noted, “People became more familiar with what is living in their yard.”

More information on various pollinators is available from the national Pollinator Partnership, which is promoting June 21-27 as Pollinator Week.

“It’s called a photo challenge, because capturing buzzing, darting and flying pollinators isn’t easy,” Reckner acknowledged.

Photos of people hand-pollinating plants also will be considered, as long as they have given permission to have their image entered in the contest.

Some people take the extra step of hand-pollinating their tomato plants, according to Deb Christopher of Derry Township, a Pennsylvania master gardener and a member of the Westmoreland Pollinator Partners.

The inaugural photo challenge, she said, was developed as “something creative and fun to highlight what we do.”

Photographers can enter up to three images in the contest, with separate divisions for adults and youths 17 and younger. Participation isn’t limited to Westmoreland County residents.

Visit brandywine.org/photo-contest for details on contest rules and submission procedures.

Entries will be judged by representatives of the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art (SAMA) and the Westmoreland Photographers Society. Prizes for first, second and third place include Giant Eagle and Dairy Queen gift cards.

Winning photos will be displayed at the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art’s Ligonier Valley branch, where the winners will be announced as part of a “Monarchs, Milkweed and More” event from 1 to 4 p.m. Aug. 29.

Reckner will be among speakers sharing information about monarch butterflies and other pollinators at the museum event, which was held virtually last year but will be in person this time.

Artists will be on hand for a plein air painting session, and visitors will be able to explore the museum gardens and children’s activities, said Kristin Miller, SAMA site director.

A $10 donation is requested from attendees. Reservations are not required.

“It’s going to be a fun afternoon,” Miller said.