The 12th annual Mingo Swamp Friends Flora and Fauna Photo Contest is open for entries until Aug. 15. Youth, adults and professional photographers may enter photos. Premiums of $10, $15 and $25 will be awarded to third, second and first-place winners in each category and age group. Best-of-Show will be awarded $50.
Photo categories are: Mingo Landscapes, People in Nature, Native Plants, and Native Wildlife. You may enter one photo per category.
Photos must be 8" X 10" in size, and matted to an 11"x14" outer measurement. Matting may be bought at hobby and craft stores, at Walmart and other locations. Phone (573) 222-3589 for help.
Rules and entry forms are online at mingoswampfriends.org and at the Mingo National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center just north of Puxico off Highway 51.
Mingo Swamp Friends will display the winning photos locally and around the state in the coming year. Winning photos of the 2016 contest are currently on display at the Mingo NWR Visitor Center.