Crex Meadows Nature Photography Contest, Exhibition and Seminar

Saturday, August 2nd and Sunday, August 3rd, 2008

Crex Meadows Wildlife Education and Visitor Center

Grantsburg, WI

Tentative Schedule of Events

Saturday, August 2nd

4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.:  Gather at the Visitor Center to vote in the photo contest, view amateur videos and professional photography exhibition.  Light hors d'ouvres and refreshments will be available.  This part of the weekend is open to the public regardless of whether they will be attending the seminars, free of charge. 

6:00 p.m.  Photographing Nature Seminar Begins

                -Using your digital camera: a basics course on settings, by Dale Bohlke. 

7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.:  Youth photography seminar for 8 - 17 year olds, by Brian Collins, a Crex enthusiast, photographer, and biology teacher from Unity High School in Balsam Lake.  There is no charge for this seminar.  More information about Mr. Collins can be found at www.imagesinnaturallight.com.

7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.:  Keynote speaker, Dudley Edmondson.  Mr. Edmondson has been a freelance nature photographer based out of Duluth for the last 15 years who has fond memories of from numerous trips to Crex over the years.  A wide range of Crex subjects enhance his portfolio.  More information about Mr. Edmondson can be found at www.raptorworks.com.

8:30 p.m.  Awards Ceremony for Photo Contest

Sunday, August 3rd

5:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m.:  Car-pool field trip to Phantom Lake for sunrise photo session (bring your cameras!)

7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.:  Breakfast at the Visitor Center (provided by Friends of Crex, included in seminar fee) 

8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.:  Photographing Nature Seminar. 

-Photographing Wildlife with a Digital Camera: by Dale Bohlke, wildlife photographer and frequent visitor to Crex.  Christian Cold from the WI DNR will be on hand with some owls and hawks that can be photographed.

-Photographing Wildflowers, a "nuts and bolts" approach: by Mariann Cyr, award winning nature photographer.  Skills learned can be put into practice in the wildflower garden in front of the Visitor Center and in the prairie walk across the parking lot.

There will be ample time to work with the Dale, Mariann and other experts that will be on hand, during and after the presentations with some Hands-On instruction in various settings at the Crex Meadows Visitor Center grounds. 

The Seminar Fee is $20 per person 18 and older and $10 for youth 10 - 17 years old (who are attending the whole seminar - the youth seminar Saturday evening is free).  No young children please.    The fees will cover event expenses.  Any remaining funds from the fees after the costs are covered will be donated to the Friends of Crex Endowment Fund.  Persons attending only the public gathering to vote in the photo contest are not required to register or pay the Seminar fee.   A group discount is available for groups of 5 or more who register together.  The registration deadline for the seminar is July 15, 2008. CLICK HERE FOR THE SEMINAR REGISTRATION FORM.

All outdoor events will take place regardless of the weather conditions, unless severe weather (lightening, tornado warnings, etc) occurs. 

Overnight accommodations for seminar attendees coming from more than 30 miles away will be available for Saturday night in the bunkhouses directly east of the Visitor Center.  A fee of $8 per person will be charged.   There will be one bunkhouse for men and one for women, with 11 spaces available in each.  Contact us at 715-463-2739 to make a reservation, as space is limited.  Payment for the spaces must be included with your reservation fee by July 15 or the space will be given to someone else.

Other area accommodations include Wood River Motel in Grantsburg, Best Western Northwoods Lodge or The Lodge at Crooked Lake in Siren, James McNally campground in Grantsburg (contact the Village office at 715-463-2405), and a campground in Governor Knowles State Forest on Highway 70 (contact the Ranger Station at 715-463-2898).  There is also a bed and breakfast in Alpha called Smoland Prairie Homestead Inn, just a few miles east on 70.

Amateur Nature Photography Contest – All amateur photographers are invited to submit their photos in 4 categories, Birds, Other Wildlife, Landscapes and Wildflowers.  The photos will be on display at the Crex Meadows Wildlife Education and Visitor Center on Saturday afternoon.  Prizes will be announced on Saturday evening.  See the Photo Contest Rules for more information and to download a submission form.

Professional Photography Exhibition – Professional photographers are invited to submit photos they have taken at Crex and other Glacial Lakes Grantsburg (GLG) properties for exhibition during the weekend.  Some of these photos may be available for sale. 

Amateur Videographer Exhibition – Nature-based short videos by amateur videographers will be showing in the Auditorium throughout the weekend.  

CLICK HERE FOR CONTEST RULES AND SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

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