2026 Outdoor Alabama Photo Contest winners [PHOTOS]

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Bird Fish
Great Blue Heron in Madison, Birds. (Christopher Baker)

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) announced this month the winners of the 2026 Outdoor Alabama Photo Contest. 

This year’s contest featured ten different categories ranging from Alabama State Parks to Cold-blooded Critters.

“Alabama is a uniquely beautiful state that offers a wide variety of outdoor photo options. From our abundant natural landscapes and native plants and wildlife to the many outdoor recreation opportunities that are available, Alabama is a photographer’s paradise.”

Chris Blankenship, ADCNR Commissioner

Sponsors of the 2026 photo contest include: 

  • Alabama State Parks
  • Alabama Conservation Enforcement Officers Association 
  • Alabama Tourism Department

Click here to see the 2026 winning images!

Below are the 1st Place winners:

Alabama State Parks
1st Place – Joe Miller, Sunset at Cheaha State Park

State Park
Sunset at Cheaha State Park, Alabama State Parks. (Joe Miller)

Birds
1st Place – Christopher Baker, Great Blue Heron in Madison

Bird Fish
Great Blue Heron in Madison, Birds. (Christopher Baker)

Bugs and Butterflies
1st Place – Gary Anderson, Cicada in Huntsville

Bug
Cicada in Huntsville, Bugs and Butterflies. (Gary Anderson)

Cold-Blooded Critters
1st Place – Mike Monlezun, Box Turtle in Baldwin County

Turtle
Box Turtle in Baldwin County, Cold-Blooded Critters (Mike Monlezun)

Nature-Based Recreation
1st Place – Arthur Davis, Fishing in Baldwin County

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Fishing in Baldwin County, Nature-Based Recreation. (Arthur Davis)

Scenic
1st Place – Matthew Crowell, Lake Guntersville in Scottsboro

Lake
Lake Guntersville in Scottsboro, Scenic (Matthew Crowell)

Shoots and Roots
1st Place – Stephanie Pluscht, White-topped Pitcher Plant Flower in Foley

Pitcher Plant
White-topped Pitcher Plant Flower in Foley, Shoots and Roots. (Stephanie Pluscht)

Sweet Home Alabama
1st Place – Drew Senter, Natural Bridge in Winston County

Natural Bridge
Natural Bridge in Winston County, Sweet Home Alabama. (Drew Senter)

Wildlife
1st Place – Jordan Whitis, White-Tailed Buck at Lake Guntersville State Park

Deer
White-Tailed Buck at Lake Guntersville State Park, Wildlife. (Jordan Whitis)



Young Photographers
1st Place – Fisher Cook (age 17), Common Snapping Turtle in McCalla

Turtle
Common Snapping Turtle in McCalla, Young Photographers. Fisher Cook (Age 17)

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Pat Byington
Pat Byington
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