A stunning photo of an immature Yellow-Crowned Night Heron captured first prize in the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission’s 2009 Amateur Photo Contest, “The Meadowlands: 40 Years of Progress,” the NJMC announced today.

   The winning photo, and other contest entries, will be on display from Dec. 2 to Jan. 3 at the NJMC’s Flyway Gallery.

    Kearny resident Ronald Shields’ photo, “Out on a Limb" (above), placed first out of more than 100 entries received over the past three months. His image captures a young night heron surveying the Mill Creek Marsh in Secaucus from its perch on a tree branch jutting over the water.  

  Laura Frazer of Montclair took second prize for “Reflections,” a beautiful photo of the gazebo and walkway reflected in a tidal impoundment at DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst.

   Ernie Fragetta of Lyndhurst won third prize for “Beautiful Lyndhurst Meadowlands,” which captures a majestic great egret flying across the marshes. The three winners will receive prizes of $300, $150 and $75.  

   Click "Continue reading…" to see the other two winning photos and for more information on the contest.

 

                                                               Laura Frazer, Reflections

 

                           Ernie Fragetta, “Beautiful Lyndhurst Meadowlands”

   A committee of NJMC judges selected the winning photos as best representing the beauty and progress of the Meadowlands over the past four decades. 

   The contest entries on display at the Flyway Gallery  capture flora, fauna, sunsets, tranquil waters and more. 

   The gallery is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 

   It is one of several free attractions at the Meadowlands Environment Center, which is located in DeKorte Park, a 110-acre oasis with walking trails and water views, all framed by the New York City skyline.