The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has announced the winners of the 2026 Outdoor Alabama Photo Contest, an annual competition that highlights both the talent of photographers across the state and the diverse natural beauty found throughout Alabama.

According to a news release, several winning images captured scenes as well as plant and wildlife along Alabama’s Gulf Coast and in Baldwin County, including photographs taken in Foley, Daphne, Gulf Shores and more locations.

The contest celebrates Alabama’s wildlife, landscapes and outdoor recreation opportunities, drawing entries from photographers of all experience levels.

“Alabama is a uniquely beautiful state that offers a wide variety of outdoor photo options,” Chris Blankenship, ADCNR Commissioner, said in the release. “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. The images highlighted in this year’s contest once again showcase the reasons why Alabama is such a great place to live and work. Congrats to all of the winning photographers!”

Photographs from Baldwin County and the Gulf Coast were recognized in several categories. Images captured along the coast included scenes of fishing in Baldwin County, outdoor recreation in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, native plants photographed in Daphne and Foley and a nighttime sky over Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge.

Winners will receive prize packs and their images will be featured in a traveling exhibit throughout 2026. While the exhibit schedule has not been finalized yet, it will be posted at www.outdooralabama.com when it is.

Sponsors of the 2026 contest include Alabama State Parks, the Alabama Conservation Enforcement Officers Association and the Alabama Tourism Department.

Below are the winners by category.

Alabama State Parks

1st Place - Joe Miller, Sunset at Cheaha State Park

2nd Place - Matthew Crowell, Lake Guntersville State Park

3rd Place - Chase Steptoe, Sunset at Gulf State Park Pier

Honorable Mention - Matthew Crowell, Buck’s Pocket State Park

Birds

1st Place - Christopher Baker, Great Blue Heron in Madison

2nd Place - Grace Simms, American Woodcock in Hoover

3rd Place - Christopher Baker, Kentucky Warbler in Huntsville

Honorable Mention - Mike Monlezun, Green Heron Chicks in Baldwin County

Bugs and Butterflies

1st Place - Gary Anderson, Cicada in Huntsville

2nd Place - Mike Monlezun, Mantis in Baldwin County

3rd Place - Richard Dowling, Halloween Pennant Dragonfly in Montgomery

Honorable Mention - Virginia Mitchell, Spicebush Swallowtail Butterfly in Springville

Cold-Blooded Critters

1st Place - Mike Monlezun, Box Turtle in Baldwin County

2nd Place - Seth Patterson, Chattooga River Crayfish at Choccolocco WMA

3rd Place - Nancy Morrison, American Bullfrog in Owens Cross Roads

Honorable Mention - Christopher Baker, Southern Leopard Frog in Huntsville

Nature-Based Recreation

1st Place - Arthur Davis, Fishing in Baldwin County

2nd Place - Chase Steptoe, Wipeout at Orange Beach

3rd Place - Chase Steptoe, Fly Fishing at Gulf Shores

Honorable Mention - Kate Gibbs, A Day in the Field

Scenic

1st Place - Matthew Crowell, Lake Guntersville in Scottsboro

2nd Place - Scott Golab, Avenue of the Oaks in Mobile

3rd Place - Benjamin Rollings, Milky Way at Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge

Honorable Mention - Christopher Baker, Holmes Chapel Falls in the Bankhead National Forest

Shoots and Roots

1st Place - Stephanie Pluscht, White-topped Pitcher Plant Flower in Foley

2nd Place - Joe Miller, Mushrooms in Oneonta

3rd Place - Arthur Davis, Pickerel Weed Flower in Daphne

Honorable Mention - Stephanie Pluscht, Threadleaf Sundew in Foley

Sweet Home Alabama

1st Place - Drew Senter, Natural Bridge in Winston County

2nd Place - Bob Phillips, Jr., Fireworks at Vulcan Park in Birmingham

3rd Place - Scott Golab, Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival in Foley

Honorable Mention - Benjamin Rollings, Middle Bay Lighthouse on Mobile Bay

Wildlife

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

2nd Place - James Hybart, III, Chipmunk in Monroe County

3rd Place - Michelle White, Groundhog in Tuscaloosa

Honorable Mention - Timothy Huber, White-tailed Doe with Fawn in Blount County

Young Photographers

1st Place - Fisher Cook (age 17), Common Snapping Turtle in McCalla

2nd Place - Fisher Cook (age 17), Blue Crab on Dauphin Island

3rd Place - Fisher Cook (age 17), Cope’s Gray Treefrog in Birmingham

Honorable Mention - Joanna Junaid (age 17), General W.K. Wilson Jr. Bridge in Mobile County

To see all the winning photos taken in Baldwin County, read this article on www.GulfCoastMedia.com. To see all the winning photos, visit https://tinyurl.com/yhywbx6z. For more information about the Outdoor Alabama Photo Contest, visit www.outdooralabama.com/photocontest.