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By Anthony Jackson
The natural wonder of the Tony Florio Woodland Beach Wildlife Area near Smyrna is on full display from the winners of the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s first annual Aquatic Resources Education Center (AREC) photo contest. From May through mid-August, the DNREC invited photographers and nature lovers to submit their best photographs. Birdwatchers, hunters and families are now sharing images of their adventures in one of Delaware’s remote natural treasures.
The contest was held to increase public awareness about AREC and the surrounding wildlife area, a destination along the Delaware Bayshore Byway that features two fishing ponds, trails, and a raised boardwalk with vistas across the tidal salt marsh to Delaware Bay.
Entries were accepted in three categories: birds, nature and people enjoying nature; and in three age groups: children under age 13, teens ages 13 to 18 and adults age 19 and older.
Seven-year-old Wyatt Humphreys captured something he had never seen.
“I took this photograph while on top of the observation tower. At first, I thought I saw a bluebird, but after taking several quick photos, I realized it wasn’t. I had to wait until I got home to look it up and see that it was a blue grosbeak. It is my favorite photo from my trip!”
Sherry Abbott took her winning photo at a little pond near the dock at Woodland Beach.
“I’m a birder and was surprised to see this ring-necked duck in that little pond.”
The Woodland Beach Wildlife Area has dozens more ponds, woodlands and huge marshes to explore.
A good photograph often relies on more than just the subject. At the age of 11, Aurelia Thomas understands composition.
“I took a walk on the beach during low tide in mid-January with my mom and my sister at Woodland Beach. I liked seeing how the pebbles and the foam from the waves mixed together. I got low to the sand and took a picture to get the sand, waves and sky in one shot.”
Likewise, David S. Vallee relies on creativity.
“I found a rugged stump right by the water and placed a glass sphere I borrowed on it. I really liked the resulting kind of microcosm of the beach.”
The vignette effect furthers that perspective.
Like the Woodland Beach Wildlife Area, James Blackstock’s photo has many layers.
“This photo was taken on a February evening around dusk, out near deer stand #1 of the Big Woods tract. There was a low-hanging fog out over the snowy cut corn fields, and there were lots of Canada geese flying over the old farmhouse.”
Many hunters have started to bring cameras out to the deer stands and the duck blinds, and they come home with more to share.
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