2021-22 Photo Contest Winners | Friends of the Columbia Gorge

Our Gorge Connections

View the winners, honorable mentions, and finalists from Friends' seventh annual photo contest

Detail from Jesenia Robles' photo contest Grand Prize winning image (scroll down to view full photo in gallery)

Treasures in Hi-Res

Friends of the Columbia Gorge's Eighth Annual Photo Contest

Thanks to protection efforts by Friends of the Columbia Gorge and others who love this wild, wondrous place, you can keep coming back to photograph favorite Gorge vistas year after year, season after season, to get that perfect shot.

Whether you capture images with a DSLR with multiple lenses, a camera phone, or other kind of camera, you are invited to enter your finest Gorge shots in Friends’ eighth annual photo contest, Treasures in Hi-Res, sponsored by Pro Photo Supply

Contest submissions will be accepted from Dec. 12, 2022, through midnight on Feb. 12, 2023.

Categories include:

Community & Culture
Scenic Eastern Gorge
Scenic Western Gorge
Waterfalls
Wildflowers & Other Flora
Wildlife
Youth Photographer

Starting Dec. 12, visit gorgefriends.org/photocontest to view contest guidelines, prizes, and rules, and to enter your photos.

Friends of the Columbia Gorge Presents the Winners, Honorable Mentions, and Finalists of Our Seventh Annual Photo Contest

Everyone who loves the Columbia Gorge has their own special ways of feeling connected to this unique natural environment and distinct Gorge communities contained within. Added together, the multitude of our connections forms a web of experience and inspiration resulting in a shared desire to see the Gorge protected for future generations to love.

Our Gorge Connections, Friends' seventh annual photo contest, provided an opportunity for anyone with a camera to showcase their most "connnective" Gorge images.

528 entries were received, and as always our judges had a difficult job selecting just a few winners and honorable mentions. Congratulations to the following photographers:

Special thanks to contest sponsor Pro Photo Supply, and to our judges: Paloma Ayala, Nic Raingsey, Vince Ready, and Sanjana Sachdeva.

Questions about the photo contest? Contact Digital Communications Manager Stan Hall at stan@gorgefriends.org

Grand Prize Winner, Category Winners, and Honorable Mentions Gallery

Community & Culture
Scenic Eastern Gorge
Scenic Western Gorge
Waterfalls
Wildflowers & Other Flora
Wildlife
Youth Photographer
- Grand Prize winner: Jesenia Robles of Hood River, Oregon, for her photo "Hands With Apricots"
- Category winners: Christopher Baker, Heidi Cardoza, Bill Kirkland, John Pfeil, Christian Platt, Daniel Rappaport, Zach Spidell
- Camera Phone Sub-Category Winner: Robert Meyers
- Honorable mentions: Christopher Baker, Joshua Barza, Justin Bernal, Heidi Cardoza, Carolyn Huber, Don Jacobson, Finn Lin, Robert Meyers, Daniel Rappaport, Kyle Rosso, Paul Thomson, Maggie Troxell

Grand Prize winner Jesenia Robles - Hands with apricots

GRAND PRIZE WINNER Jesenia Robles (Hood River, Oregon) - "Hands With Apricots" Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 â€œMy dad, Enrique, has always been in agriculture. His family comes from a long line of farmers in Zacatecas, Mexico....to me this picture represents my family history, and a beautiful cultural legacy of caring for the Earth and providing sustenance for generations.â€ Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7. Community & Culture

Scenic Eastern Gorge winner Christopher Baker Spring at Crawford Oaks

SCENIC EASTERN GORGE CATEGORY WINNER Christopher Baker (Portland) - Spring at Crawford Oaksâ„¢ Camera: Nikon D750 "My wife and I set out for the Crawford Oaks trailhead in early spring 2021 hoping to escape the Portland rain, but that did not happen. (It was) raining, super windy, and bitterly cold....Then the sky opened up a little and mother nature put on a show. We were in awe...witnessing a beautiful moment...it was one of those special, unexpected moments that we will never forget."

Wildlife winner - Heidi Cardoza - Juvenile Sharp-shinned Hawk in Hood River

WILDLIFE CATEGORY WINNER Heidi Cardoza (Hood River, Oregon) - Juvenile Sharp-shinned Hawk in Hood River Camera: Nikon D500

Wildflowers winner Bill Kirkland - Bitterroot at Catherine Creek

WILDFLOWERS & OTHER FLORA CATEGORY WINNER Bill Kirkland (Portland) - Bitterroot at Catherine Creek Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV

Camera phone winner - Robert Meyers - Columbia River view from Memaloose State Park

CAMERA PHONE SPECIAL CATEGORY WINNER Robert Meyers (Hood River, Oregon) - Columbia River view from Memaloose State Park Camera: Apple iPhone 13

Community & Culture winner - John Pfeil Diver into Columbia at sunset

COMMUNITY & CULTURE CATEGORY WINNER John Pfeil (Portland) - Devin Graham (30) dives into the Columbia River one last time for the season while beach-goers begin the long walk back to the parking lot during sunset at Rooster Rock State Park. Crown Point is visible in the distance. Camera: Fuji X-T2

Scenic Western Gorge winner Christian Platt - Sunset over the Columbia River from Hamilton Island near North Bonneville Scenic Western Gorge

SCENIC WESTERN GORGE CATEGORY WINNER Christian Platt (Portland) - Sunset over the Columbia River from Hamilton Island near North Bonneville Camea: Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi

Waterfalls winner Daniel Rappaport unnamed falls Upper McCord Creek

WATERFALLS CATEGORY WINNER Daniel Rappaport (Corbett, Oregon) - Unnamed Falls, Upper McCord Creek Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Youth Photographer winner Zach Spidell age 14 - A foggy day on larch mountain

YOUTH PHOTOGRAPHER CATEGORY WINNER Zach Spidell (age 14, Portland) - A foggy day on Larch Mtn.

HONORABLE MENTION Christopher Baker (Portland) - "Angels at Play" Camera: Nikon D750 "A Friday morning, pre-work hike at Angel's Rest. One of the first trails that I hiked when I came to Oregon in 1996....It is experiencing a lot of use though....It has become a popular spot for car prowlers as well. I'm not sure what the solution is, but it's disheartening. It offers us so much beauty that should be respected."

Honorable mention - Joshua Barza - Snowy sunset

HONORABLE MENTION Joshua Barza (Husum, Washington) - Snowy sunset, eastern Gorge Camera: Apple iPhone 12 Mini

Honorable mention Justin Bernal Silver Star Mtn

HONORABLE MENTION Justin Bernal (Portland) - Silver Star Mtn. Camera: Sony ILCE-7RM2

Honorable mention - Heidi Cardoza - Cedar waxwing

HONORABLE MENTION Heidi Cardoza (Hood River, Oregon) - Cedar waxwing in Hood River Camera: Nikon D500

Honorable mention Carolyn Huber stormy spring evening on Dog Mtn.

HONORABLE MENTION Carolyn Huber (White Salmon, Washington) - Stormy spring evening on Dog Mtn. Camera: Samsung Galaxy G9

Honorable mention - Don Jacobson - Mosier Plateau from across Columbia

HONORABLE MENTION Don Jacobson (Portland) - Mosier Plateau from across Columbia Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV

Honorable mention - Finn Lin - Fun(gi) in the Gorge

HONORABLE MENTION Finn Lin (Portland) - Fun(gi) in the Gorge Camera: Nikon D3100

Honorable mention - Robert Meyers - Spring sunset from Memaloose Overlook

HONORABLE MENTION Robert Meyers (Hood River, Oregon) - Spring sunset looking west from the Memaloose Overlook trail near Mosier with lupines in full bloom. Camera: Apple iPhone 11 Pro

Honorable mention - Daniel Rappaport - approach to Ponytail Falls

HONORABLE MENTION Daniel Rappaport (Corbett, Oregon) - Approach to Ponytail Falls

Honorable mention - Kyle Rosso - Horsetail Falls

HONORABLE MENTION Kyle Rosso (Vancouver, Washington) - Horsetail Falls Nikon Z7

HONORABLE MENTION Paul Thomson (Vancouver, Washington) - "Fish on" Camera: Canon EOS 7D Mark II "An Osprey flies by showing off its catch. I shot this image from a boat while salmon fishing along Reed Island just west of Rooster Rock."

Honorable mention - Maggie Troxell (age 17 - Starvation Creek Falls

HONORABLE MENTION Maggie Troxell (age 17, Tigard, Oregon) - Starvation Creek Falls Camera: Apple iPhone X

Finalists Gallery

Myrna Anderson - 18 Mile Island Scenic Eastern Gorge

Myrna Anderson - Overlooking Mosier Valley in fall of 2021 Scenic Eastern Gorge | Camera Phone

Cathy Avilez - Scenic view near Rowena Crest Scenic Eastern Gorge

Judy Bair - Dinnertime Wildlife

Justin Bernal, Dalles Mountain Ranch Scenic Eastern Gorge

Lydie Boyer - River, rainbow between Viento St Pk and Hood River

Lydie Boyer - Photo was taken between Viento St Pk and Hood River, and looks across to Cook-Underwood on the Washington side. Scenic Eastern Gorge

Heidi Cardoza - Barred Owl at Mayer State Park Wildlife

Heidi Cardoza - Barred Owl in Rowena Wildlife

Heidi Cardoza - Dancing Fox Squirrels in Hood River Wildlife

Heidi Cardoza - Violet-green Swallow in Hood River at the port. Wildlife

Heidi Cardoza - Western Tiger Swallowtail resting on poppies in Hood River. Wildlife

Kaitlyn Conrath - "Something About Sweeney" Wildlife

Meagan Currier - Looking Through at The Dalles Mountain Ranch Scenic Eastern Gorge | Camera Phone

Meagan Currier | Open door to history in The Dalles Scenic Eastern Gorge | Camera Phone

Meagan Currier - Gorge Views from Ruthton Park, Hood River Scenic Eastern Gorge | Camera Phone

Glenn Daman - Sunrise at Cape Horn Scenic Western Gorge

Brandi Delfosse - Summer Sunset in the Gorge Scenic Western Gorge

Tim Finnegan - Sunrise in the Gorge: The sun breaks over the Columbia River Gorge from the Portland Women's Forum Scenic Viewpoint. Scenic Western Gorge

David Gorman, Vista House Sunset Community & Culture

Michel Hersen - Wildflowers at Rowena Crest, sunset Wildflowers & Other Flora

Lynda Herskovits - Panoramic , Oregon's Cliffs Along the Columbia River

Lynda Herskovits - Panoramic landscape of the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge. Scenic Eastern Gorge

Ann Hubard - Tiger lily along Wahkeena Falls Loop Wildflowers & Other Flora

Ann Hubard Wildflower on the Cape Horn Trail Wildflowers & Other Flora

Don Jacobson - Bigleaf Maple Wildflowers

Don Jacobson - Fairy Falls Waterfalls

Don Jacobson - From the Mosier Plateau Trail Scenic Eastern Gorge

Don Jacobson - Wahkeena Creek Scenic Western Gorge

Jarid Johnson - Fairy Falls Waterfalls

Robert Launder - Hardy Creek Scenic Western Gorge

John Leamy / Autumn View From Rowena/Eastern Gorge/Iphone12 Scenic Eastern Gorge | Camera Phone

Sarah Manning - Weisendanger Falls Waterfalls / Camera Phone

Robert Meyers - Columbia River backwater reflection in Autumn at Rooster Rock State Park. Scenic Western Gorge | Camera Phone

Michelle Nutt - Falls Creek Scenic Western Gorge

Doug Owen - Portland Women's Forum Viewpoint Sunrise Scenic Western Gorge

Doug Owen - Portland Women's Forum Viewpoint Sunrise #2 Scenic Western Gorge

Daniel Rappaport - Dutchman Falls Waterfalls

Daniel Rappaport - Fairy Falls and Monkeyflowers Waterfalls

Daniel Rappaport - Upper McCord Creek Scenic Western Gorge

Daniel Rappaport - Upper Oneonta Creek, Fall Vine Maple Scenic Western Gorge

Jeff Risher - Sunrise over Balsamroot Field near Rowena Crest in the Spring.

Jeff Risher - Spring sunrise over balsamroot field near Rowena Crest in the Spring. Wildflowers

Kyle Rosso - Latourell Falls Waterfalls

Kyle Rosso - Vista House at Sunrise Community & Culture

Jessica Stinson - Overlooking Gorge From Dalles Mountain Ranch

Jessica Stinson - Overlooking the Columbia Gorge from Dalles Mountain Ranch Scenic Eastern Gorge | Camera Phone

Paul Thomson - Escaping the Inversion "The sun breaking through the heavy cloud cover during one of the gorges weather inversion events when the cold air gets trapped at ground level." Scenic Eastern Gorge