Gov. Doug Burgum along with North Dakota Tourism Director Sara Otte Coleman, North Dakota Council on the Arts Executive Director Kim Konikow and AAA of North Dakota Director Gene LaDoucer today presented the winning submissions from the 17th annual North Dakota Governor’s Photo Contest by live virtual event due to coronavirus social distancing protocols.
“Today we recognize talented photographers who captured the essence of what makes North Dakota a great place to visit, live, work and raise a family,” Burgum said. “They showcase our wide-open spaces, outdoor adventure and willingness to work together for the health and well-being of our neighbors and communities.”
Prints of the winning images will be on display at the North Dakota Heritage Center and State Museum during the fourth quarter of 2020.
Photographers submitted photos to one or more of the following categories: Road Trips, #InThisTogetherND, Wildlife, Badlands Scenery, Beyond Badlands Scenery and Main Street ND. Winning submissions and honorable mentions will be displayed at the North Dakota Heritage Center and the photographs will be published in North Dakota Tourism’s promotional materials and on its website, ndtourism.com.
“The contest’s popularity continues to grow,” Tourism and Marketing Director Sara Otte Coleman said. “A total of 2,074 photos from 157 photographers were entered, bringing the total submissions over the lifetime of the contest to more than 16,500. This year’s total was the most entries ever received and nearly double last year’s submissions.”
Find descriptions of all winners and honorable mentions at www.ndtourism.com/2020-north-dakota-governors-photo-contest-winners
Launched in 2004, the Governor’s Photo Contest encourages North Dakota amateur photographers to submit photos that capture the unique things to see and do in North Dakota. Seven of the following photographers to be recognized have never been recognized in this contest previously.
Go to https://belegendary.link/2020PhotoContestWinners for a gallery of this year’s winning photos.
2020 Governor’s Photo Contest for Travel and Tourism
BADLANDS SCENERY
Category Winner: “A Break Among the Clouds” by Sierrah Fischer, Watford City
Showcasing very green Little Missouri National Grassland of the McKenzie County Badlands.
Honorable Mention: “Badlands Under Starlight” by Marshall Lipp, Mandan
This night shot showcases very dynamic rock formations under the vibrant starry sky.
Honorable Mention: “Crocus” Rachel Dewhirst, Grassy Butte
The Crocus photo was taken at Lone Butte Ranch near Grassy Butte.
BEYOND THE BADLANDS SCENERY
Category Winner: “Along for the Ride” by Marshall Lipp, Mandan
This photo captures the wide-open prairie near New Salem as an evening summer storm passes by.
Honorable Mention: “Summer Sun Halo” by Casey Helling (Lights Out Images), Golden Valley
An unripe wheat field sits in the foreground of an unusual summer sunrise surrounded by a halo similar to winter sundogs.
Honorable Mention: “Kayaking at Government Bay” by Nicole Morrison, Bismarck
Kayaker meandering through the rock formations at Government Bay on Lake Sakakawea.
#INTHISTOGETHERND
Category Winner: “The Painter” by Meredith Jo Ehli, Bismarck
“The Painter” showcases a man recreating the serene summer scenery of McDowell Dam Recreation Area.
Honorable Mention: “Fishing Buddies” by Laura Gardner, Washburn
North Dakota’s fishing season never ends, and this shot showcases and man and his dog enjoying an early spring day fishing along the Knife River.
Honorable Mention: “Reflections of Lives Nurtured” by Connie Krapp, Jamestown
A family enjoys some time together on a dock as the sun sets on the Jamestown Reservoir on a still summer evening.
MAIN STREET ND
Category winner: “Down By The River” by Katherine Plessner, Verona
Steamboat Park in Bismarck, showing fall colors along the riverside mixed-use trail.
ROADTRIPS
Category Winner: “King of the Mountain” by Laura Gardner, Washburn
Overlooking the beautiful rugged Badlands on the Custer Auto Trail Tour near Medora.
Honorable Mention: “Taking the Backroads” by Suanne Kallis, Carrington
Image showcases a restored 1958 pickup on a rural gravel road between fields on a backroad near Carrington.
Honorable Mention: ”East Meets West” by Lisa Gruebele, Bismarck
Image showcases a bike rider wearing a NDSU Bison jersey pausing on along the road in Theodore Roosevelt National Park as a bison starts to cross the road in the distance.
WILDLIFE
Category Winner: “The Amazing Grace of the Bald Eagle” by Lisa Buchweitz, Langdon
A bald eagle comes in for a landing on the high branches of a tree in early spring in Walsh County.
Honorable Mention: “Mink on the Move” by Steve Silseth, Minot
In early winter, a mink playfully jumps across the thin ice on the Souris River near Burlington.
Honorable Mention: "Here's looking at you kid" by Lisa Buchweitz, Langdon
A thoroughly saturated beaver in Pembina County looks over its shoulder towards the photographer..
Honorable Mention: “Snow Geese” by Steve Silseth, Minot
Snow geese fill the sky in a late fall migration near Garrison.
BEST IN SHOW
“The Amazing Grace of the Bald Eagle” by Lisa Buchweitz, Langdon