Nature photo entries due to Friends of Prime Hook by Oct. 7

The annual Friends of Prime Hook U.S. Wildlife Refuge Nature Photography Contest will open with a reception at 2 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 15, in the refuge auditorium.

There is so much beautiful nature to be seen and photographed on the wondrous Delmarva Peninsula.

Bluebirds and grosbeaks offer a flash of blue while goldfinches can seem as bright as the sun while flitting through the meadows. Purple martins are nesting in droves. Northern harriers glide across the fields. Ospreys swoop down for fish, and bald eagles continue to be the nation's greatest wildlife recovery story. There are shorebirds, majestic sunsets, ponds dappled with sunlight, and wildflowers opening petals glistening with dew. Rare Delmarva fox squirrels can be spotted occasionally, and piebald deer continue to surprise visitors.

Photographers are reminded to practice responsible and respectful wildlife viewing. The contest, which usually draws more than 200 entries, is open to photographers of all ages, and there's always some magic in the scenes captured by local shutterbugs.

Photographs must be mailed or hand-delivered to the refuge office on or before Saturday, Oct. 7. Submitted photographs will be judged by professional photographers during the week beginning Monday, Oct. 9. Winners will be announced, and awards will be given at a reception for the artists and the general public from 2 to 4 p.m., Oct. 15, in the auditorium. Entries will be displayed there until Saturday, Dec. 9.

For categories and complete contest rules, go to friendsofprimehook.com/home or visit the refuge office.