Staff Reports
Youth and adults entered outstanding photos of Southeast Missouri's wildlife, native plants, people in nature and wild landscapes in the 13th Annual Mingo Swamp Friends Flora and Fauna Photo Contest in August. The photos will be displayed across Southeast Missouri in the months to come.
The adult winners are:
Best of Show: "Great Blue Breakfast" by Clay Guthrie of East Prairie; First Place, People in Nature: "Enjoying the Overlook" by Delbert Hupp, Poplar Bluff; First Place, Mingo Landscape: "Summer in the Swamp" by Patty Bitterman of Advance; First Place, Native Wildlife: "White-eyed Vireo" by Patty Bitterman of Advance; First Place, Native Flora: "Spring Beauties" by Patty Bitterman of Advance.
The youth winners are:
Best of Show: "Wetlands Camouflage" by Zach Borowiak of Cape Girardeau; First Place, Native Wildlife: "Damselfly in the Sun" and First Place, Native Plants: "Purple Iris" by Erica Cooley of Jackson.
The exhibit of first, second and third place and Best of Show photos will be on display through September in the Visitor Center at Mingo National Wildlife Refuge in Puxico. In the following months the photos will be displayed at the Cape Girardeau Nature Conservation Center, The Sikeston Depot Art Museum, the Poplar Bluff, Dexter and Puxico public libraries, the Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center in St. Louis.
Generous support from Commerce Bank and from individuals made possible premiums totaling $375 to the winners, and the public display of the winning photos.
The public is invited to view the photos and to visit Mingo National Wildlife Refuge to see wild nature in person. The 21,600-acre refuge north of Puxico provides food and shelter for birds and wildlife, especially for migratory waterfowl. The refuge features swamp, marsh and Ozark highlands, with short and long driving roads, boardwalk and overlooks. Mingo attracts visitors from across the U.S. and other countries to view wildlife, fish, hunt, canoe and photograph. The refuge is open every day from just before sunrise until just after sunset. The Visitor Center is open 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday, but closed on Saturdays from December through February.
For current conditions and events visit the Facebook page Friends of Mingo Swamp and Mingo National Wildlife Refuge, or call 573-222-3589.