From Firecracker Penstemon to Prescribed Fire

The 2004 Photo Opportunity submissions ranged from Idaho's bright red firecracker penstemon to Wisconsin's safe orange prescribed fire. And what an exciting range of photos and programs within that range! The winning photos reflect State Departments of Transportation (DOTs) current trend towards conservation. This trend was examined by the seasoned Minnesota Division jury who took on the tough task of reviewing 185 images from 15 States in 8 categories. The jury, a diversity of professionals, included: Cheryl Martin, Pete Kiernen, Phil Forst, Rhonda Keil, and Paul Larson. The quality of most photos was amazing. Cameras and careful composition are improving. And photographers are remembering to include a highway reference, which we all appreciate.

THE 2004 WINNERS ARE:

I – PLANTED NATIVES

FIRST, Idaho, Firecracker penstemon, Penstemon eatonii
SECOND, Maryland, Purple cone flower
THIRD, New York State, Taconic State Parkway

II – PLANTED NONNATIVES
FIRST, Florida, D-2, Texas bluebonnets
SECOND, Missouri, Cosmos
THIRD, Maryland, Daylilies

III –PROTECTED NATIVES
FIRST, Florida, D-2 coreopsis
SECOND, Wisconsin, Saulk County
THIRD, Iowa, Turk's Cap

IV – PUBLIC AWARENESS
FIRST, Indiana's Roadside Heritage, brochure
SECOND, Maryland, Naturally Makes a Difference, brochure
THIRD, Washington, Maintaining Roadside Vegetation series

V – CLOSE-UPS
FIRST, Idaho, Brodiaea
SECOND, Idaho, Woodrose
THIRD, Florida/New York State. Bluebonnet and Sunflower

VI – VEGETATION MANAGEMENT
FIRST, Wisconsin, I-39 burn
SECOND, Washington, logging operation
THIRD, Georgia, reduced mowing results

VII – INVASIVES
FIRST, Missouri, Dame's Rocket
SECOND, Idaho, sunflower
THIRD, Iowa, Chinese silvergrass
Honorable mention, Missouri

VIII – INNOVATION
FIRST, Florida Turnpike Environmental Stewardship Efforts
EDITOR's CHOICE (one that was unnoticed by the jury)
The Iowa collection of county photos and program by Kirk Henderson, Native Roadside Vegetation Center

PHOTO TIPS:

1. Two disqualifications were given for photos that included invasive plants which we could not publish.
2. The quality of photos from New York State surpassed all others but did not stand the test of subject matter, highway connection, and composition.
3. Photos of cosmos have been overdone!
4. Photos from few-megapixel digital cameras do not produce competitive results. Really sorry, but so many of the photos are used in FHWA publications ultimately.
5. Reminder: more than one unit in a State may submit; but please combine submission from that State as one.

(The 2005 Photo Opportunity submission details are found on the last page of this issue.)