Best of Show winning photo
“Wild Horse Band” by Jen MacLeod

Seven winning photos and five honorable mentions were recently selected in the 2011 North Dakota Governor’s Photo Contest.

Winning photographers will receive a $200 cash prize for each winning photo and have their work featured in North Dakota Tourism’s marketing materials, along with even greater exposure through contest partner AAA.  A Best of Show photo was selected from the winning photographs, and the photographer received an additional $300 cash prize and a free, one-year basic membership to AAA. Honorable mention winners will receive North Dakota merchandise and may also have their images featured in tourism marketing materials.

Jen MacLeod, Grand Forks, was deemed the Best of Show winner for the photo titled Wild Horse Band, photographed in Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

All winners were chosen from more than 660 photo entries in the contest, which kicked off in May.

“This photo contest is a great way for our talented amateur photographers to capture the landscapes, people and places that make North Dakota special,” said Gov. Jack Dalrymple. “The images showcase the state’s wide ranging tourism offerings and unique beauty.”

For the second year, photographers were able to submit photos online through image and video hosting site, Flickr. North Dakota Tourism Director Sara Otte Coleman said this method of submitting a photo was popular.

“More than 540 photos were submitted via Flickr for this year’s contest,” Otte Coleman said. “In addition to this, we also received 120 physical entries.”

Photos were judged on originality, subject matter, visual appeal and ability to portray North Dakota as a legendary travel destination in the categories of events, attractions, people, scenery, wildlife, and outdoor adventure.

The contest is held annually and is open to any North Dakota amateur photographer. Next year’s contest will begin in May 2012. North Dakota Tourism is also hosting monthly theme contests on its flickr group athttp://www.flickr.com/groups/northdakota/.

Winning photos can be seen at the North Dakota Tourism Web site at http://www.ndtourism.com/gallery/list.asp?catID=53.
2011 Governor’s Photo Contest Winners (by category):

Best of Show:
Photographer: Jen MacLeod, Grand Forks
Winning photograph: “Wild Horse Band”

People category
Category winner: “The Hunter” by Tyson Krinke, Rhame

Attraction category
Category winner: “On_A_Slant” by Gordon Weixel, Bismarck
Honorable mention: “Sakakawea at the Capitol” by Stacy High, Bismarck

Scenery category
Category winner: “Frosted Beauty” by Mandy Moore, Minot
Honorable mention: “Fort McKeen” by Gordon Weixel, Bismarck
Honorable mention: “MoonShine!” by Jo Mertes, Mantador
Honorable mention: “Yesterday meets Today” by Tyson Krinke, Rhame

Wildlife category
Category winner: “Wild Horse Band” by Jen MacLeod, Grand Forks
Honorable mention: “Three is a Crowd” by Anna Meidinger, Wishek

Event category
Category winner: “Upside Down” by Jose Medina, Fargo

Adventure category
Category winner: “No coffee shops here!” by Scott Kadlec, Bismarck
Honorable mention: “Shine On” by Megan Dietz, Fargo

Follow North Dakota Tourism on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TravelND or on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/#!/northdakota and get tips on what to see and do all year long.

Part II of the 2011 Daily photo project is located here:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.768616549507.2258456.39608109&l=462faeaf67&type=1

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January 2nd, 2010

Years in the making my brother Brett is finally officially awarded his Eagle Scout Award. Partying ensued. Congrats Brett! (and also thanks to all the Scouts, family, and parents who helped out on his project — or at least helped out in his partying).

But with a new year is a new Photo Journal and since last year was both started and finished on pictures of SK (or at least having Sarah Kate IN the photos I figured starting off with MJ would be a good start (that and the only photo I actually took that day was of MJ so I guess she has got to be sure to be back in North Dakota again by the end of 2011).

After the double whammy of blizzards “Casey” and “Dave” and in an effort to slowly chip off her bucket list, my southern aunt, MJ (from the “third side” of the family) tries out snow plowing.

September 29th, 2010

If you don’t lock your door you might fall victim to surprise Zombie attacks. Just in case I also lock Erin out because you never know what to expect with Erin.

September 28th, 2010

Sadly my normal apple sources were depleted this year — but thankfully I was able to get some great apples from the Stenberg’s (Thanks Frau Stenberg!). They haven’t made it into pies yet as I’ve been a little busy with work and school — but they will be made into tasty pies this weekend.

September 27th, 2010

Old stuff is always fun to photograph… but even better when you can play it! After taking this photo I dusted off our old church organ and played a tune. It used to always be in the corner of my grandparents dining room but after my grandfather moved we were able to take it and it now has a nice spot in my parent’s music room.

It is an old foot powered organ with two worn peddles at the base. Although I don’t know how old it is I know it’s old. It was made by Cornish & Co, in Washington N.J. (Wow… those two sentences really sound like they were written by a 3rd grader).

It used to have holders for candles but those, for their own survival, have not been attached since it moved to North Dakota from Georgia. At present it sits at the base of the “instrument wall.” Mandolins, banjos, psaltries, violins, pan pipes, and various other musical odds and ends hang above it. It has also been modernized a bit as also has a small flatscreen LCD on top right for the den’s media computer…. I bet the original builder never thought of installing that back in the day when it was originally built.

It is kind of neat to have the drumset right next to the church organ — There’s a great song waiting to be composed!

September 26th, 2010

The entire North American population of woodpeckers spent the morning in my yard…. I’ve never seen so many at once. Obviously they found our trees quite tasty.