Here are the 2026 Winners!
A Fundraiser for Vital Projects at Sonoma County Regional Parks,
including New Trails, Youth Programs and Climate Action projects
Judge's Choice Winners
Jeremy, of Rohnert Park, described his entry: "Walking through Hood Mountain Regional Park looking for Mountain Quail, I ran into this guy instead. He was being harassed by Steller's Jay's and due to their noise I was able to find him sitting on a low branch. I caught his attention and he gave me quite a angry little stare."
Loren, of Rohnert Park, described their entry: "This photograph was taken at Spring Lake (North-East corner next to the lake). I was waiting for an osprey to take flight and this magnificent pelican quietly drifted by."
Brytt, of Petaluma, described their entry: "Early morning or late evening is where I find the most beautiful shots. The ever changing light offers so many opportunities to capture a beautiful shot."
People's Choice Winners
Chylea of Santa Rosa described her entry: "Gorgeous golden hour at Scotty Creek Beach part of Sonoma County Regional Parks. It is located on the beautiful Sonoma County Coast betweeen Bodega Bay and Jenner. It's the perfect place to visit to get your Vitamin Sea!"
Matt, of Windsor, described his entry: "This photo was taken after a winter rain at Riverfront Regional Park near Healdsburg. The wet bridge caught the reflection of the surrounding redwoods, pulling the greens of the forest down onto the path itself. I liked how the bridge naturally draws you forward into the quiet of the grove. On mornings like this the park feels still and peaceful, and the trails invite you to slow down and just walk.
I’m a Sonoma County native who enjoys exploring the region’s parks and open spaces with a camera. Much of my photography focuses on simple moments outdoors and the quiet beauty found in Northern California landscapes."
I’m a Sonoma County native who enjoys exploring the region’s parks and open spaces with a camera. Much of my photography focuses on simple moments outdoors and the quiet beauty found in Northern California landscapes."
Heather, of Penngrove, described her entry: "This photograph was taken along a quiet trail at Crane Creek Regional Park, where open grasslands stretch beneath expansive winter skies. A winding dirt path leads the viewer through vibrant green hills toward a solitary oak, a defining feature of the landscape and a symbol of the region’s resilience. Above it, the sun breaks through layered clouds, creating dramatic light that spreads across the valley and highlights the texture of the land.
The composition centers on the natural leading line of the trail, drawing the eye toward the oak and the horizon beyond. The contrast between the rugged path, soft grasses, and sweeping sky captures the quiet balance between earth and atmosphere that defines this park."
The composition centers on the natural leading line of the trail, drawing the eye toward the oak and the horizon beyond. The contrast between the rugged path, soft grasses, and sweeping sky captures the quiet balance between earth and atmosphere that defines this park."
Thank you to our Photo Contest Sponsors
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Meet our Judges
Alex Glavtchev
Site: https://www.flickr.com/photos/alexg_imagery/ I was born in Bulgaria and moved to the U.S. as a teenager, eventually settling with my family in the South Bay. I attended UC Davis, where I earned an undergraduate degree in Physics, and later completed a Master’s in Physics at San Jose State University. It was at UC Davis that I met my wife, and together we decided to relocate to Sonoma County to raise our children in a smaller, nature-filled community. Professionally, I’ve worked in various high-tech roles and currently work as a software engineer at Keysight in Santa Rosa. I’m currently the admin and a judge for Keysight’s internal monthly employee photo contest. These opportunities have deepened my connection to the photography community and continue to inspire my own work. Outside of work, I’m passionate about hiking, swimming, playing soccer, and, most of all, photography. I’m completely self-taught and have spent years improving my craft by learning from YouTube creators and exploring photography concepts and techniques. My focus is on intimate nature photography, but I enjoy mixing it up with landscapes and urban scenes to challenge myself creatively. |
Kathryn Koh
Photography is a powerful skill, and I have been a student of it for as long as I can remember. Fortunately for me photography was my father’s hobby, and I grew up with access to a dark room and a father to teach me the physics of light. I focus my work on portraits, both people and animals. I also enjoy action and travel photography. Today’s cameras are so easy and powerful that anyone can take a good picture. The most important thing to taking valuable pictures is to capture what you love, what you want to remember and what you want to share with others. Happy shooting. 
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Ben Byrne
Sites: gallery.byrnecreative.com, instagram.com/byrnecreativephotographyBorn and raised in the Midwest, I relocated to Santa Rosa in 2016 after a series of chapters in places ranging from Massachusetts to New Mexico. Although my interest in photography spans several decades, it was the move to Sonoma County that sharpened my focus and inspired a more dedicated and deliberate pursuit of the medium. I am primarily drawn to the landscapes of the North Bay, though my work also reflects a broader curiosity about the natural world beyond it. From wild coastlines and quiet inland trails to distant places and encounters with wildlife, my approach is guided by a desire to capture not just a scene, but the atmosphere and emotional resonance of a moment | |||
