Announcing the winners of the 2026 Florida Wildlife Corridor Photo Contest! This year, nearly 150 photographers submitted more than 820 images, and our panel of judges narrowed them down to the top three in each of four unique categories.

Thank you to our contest judges:

• Blair Updike, Artist & Founder of The Florida Gallery
• Lauren Yoho, Conservation Photographer & Social Media Manager at Wildpath
• Ethan Coyle, Conservation Photographer & Media Manager at the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation

To ensure fair evaluation, all photographs were judged with photographers’ identities hidden throughout the selection process. Entries were judged based on technical ability, originality & creativity, impact & storytelling, and how well they reflected their category.

Together, these winning images showcase the beauty, diversity, and importance of the Florida Wildlife Corridor while helping tell the story of our statewide network of connected lands and waters. We hope these winning images inspire others to explore and protect wild Florida for generations to come.

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Rare & Threatened Category– Photos of the wildlife, plants, and habitats that make the Florida Wildlife Corridor globally significant. This category highlights the species and landscapes that are rare, threatened, or uniquely tied to Florida’s natural heritage and the ongoing efforts to protect them.

1st Place – Big Baby by Gabriel Jensen. Ocala National Forest

2nd Place – Snail Kite Staredown by Matt Bruce. Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park

3rd Place – Ghost of the Green Forest by Ester Mellinger. Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park

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Old Florida Category – Photos that capture the timeless spirit and nostalgia of Old Florida. Think cowboys, cattle, citrus groves, working lands, historic landmarks, rural landscapes, and people connecting with the land. This category celebrates the traditions and heritage that shape Florida’s identity.

1st Place – Old Florida on the Nature Coast by Matt Bruce. Seahorse Key

2nd Place – This Ends Badly by Judy Haran. Arcadia, FL

3rd Place – Juniper Springs Bridge by Jose Torres. Ocala National Forest

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Small But Significant Category – Photos of the wildlife, plants, textures, and tiny details that are often overlooked in Florida’s natural landscapes. This category shines light on the small wonders and subtle moments that make the Florida Wildlife Corridor extraordinary.

1st Place – Florida Fireflies by Jose Torres. Blue Springs State Park

2nd Place – Tiny Travelers by Jayden Preussner. Big Cypress National Preserve

3rd Place – Sandhill Crane Colt by Christopher Harrington. Venice

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Color In The Corridor Category – Photos that showcase the vibrant colors found naturally in the Florida Wildlife Corridor. Think colorful wildlife, dramatic skies, blooming wildflowers, breeding plumage, and stunning sunsets. This category focuses on vivid natural scenes that capture the beauty found in the Florida Wildlife Corridor.

1st Place – Flamingo Suprise by Matt Bruce. Everglades National Park

2nd Place – St. Marks Sunset by Randy Traynor. St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge

3rd Place – Bolt From the Blue by Christopher Berg. Venice, FL

 

Thank you again to all the photographers who shared their incredible wild Florida photos this year and congratulations to the winners for outstanding work!