CT's Beardsley Zoo Names Winners of Zoo Photo Show

Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is proud to announce the winners from its second non-juried photography exhibition, “Photography Goes Wild.”  This year, digital photos were submitted from the Zoo’s many dedicated amateur and professional photographers, and hundreds of votes were received online for a People’s Choice winner.

Photographers were invited to submit up to three photos of animals from Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo, from current or previous years, as well as other nature-based photography due to the difficulties posed by the pandemic. Judges were Jesse Thompson, co-owner of Milford Photo; Roger Salls, owner of Roger Salls Photography; and Jack Bradley, Zoo volunteer and instructor of multiple Zoo classes on animal photography.

Photography Exhibition sponsor Milford Photo provided the first, second, and third prizes in the form of gift certificates to the store. In addition, a People’s Choice Award was selected, based on $1 votes from the audience. There was also a Zoo Director’s Pick, with Gregg Dancho selecting his favorite photo.

Winners are:

First Place: “Peanut” by Eileen Curnin of Bridgeport (Red wolf)

Second Place: “In Memoriam—Meri” by Sue Thompson of Sandy Hook (Red panda)

Third Place: “Laugh Out Loud” by Lexi Crocco of Orange (Amur tiger)

Honorable Mentions:

“Garden Visitor” by Victoria Fitzsimmons of Shelton (Butterfly)

“Enjoying Lettuce” by Elaine Dyer of Seymour (Spider monkey)

“Mischievous Squirrels” by Cheryl Prior of Torrington

Best Outside the Zoo Photo:

“Sisters” by Meaghan Heeks of Trumbull (Lions)

People’s Choice:

“Buzz Buzz Buzz” by Cynthia Alves of Seymour (Bee)

Zoo Director’s Choice:

“Ain’t I Sweet?” by Susan Cohen of Stamford (Boat-billed heron)

“Art is a natural way for people to express their love of animals and appreciation of nature,” said Zoo Director Gregg Dancho. “The Photography Goes Wild Exhibit helps to showcase the stunning diversity of species at the zoo, and we hope, encourages people to focus on preserving wild habitats and animal conservation in new ways.”

Milford Photo Co-Owner Jesse Thompson said, “It’s been great partnering with the Zoo by providing area photographers with a fun venue to shoot and display their work. Milford Photo looks forward to more events at Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo.”  

About Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo

Let your curiosity run wild! Connecticut’s only zoo, celebrating its 98th year, features 300 animals representing primarily North and South American and Northern Asian species. Guests won’t want to miss our Amur tigers and leopards, maned wolf family, and Mexican and red wolves. Other highlights include our new Spider monkey habitat, the prairie dog exhibit, and the Pampas Plains with Giant anteaters and Chacoan peccaries. Guests can grab a bite from the Peacock Café and eat in the Picnic Grove. Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is a non-profit organization approaching its 100th year at a time when the mission of helping fragile wildlife populations and eco-systems is more important than ever. 

The Zoo reopened on June 1 at 50% capacity. Tickets must be purchased on the Zoo’s website at beardsleyzoo.org. Face masks are required for everyone over the age of two, with the exception of those with medical conditions that preclude wearing them.

About Milford Photo

Since its founding in 1995, Milford Photo continues to be the go-to location for the photo enthusiast in Connecticut. From selling the top lines in cameras, lenses and accessories to providing reprint, enlargement, graphic imagery or photo instruction for photographers of all levels, the crew at Milford Photo works hard to provide the best in product and service to their clients. www.milfordphoto.com

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Submitted by Fairfield, CT

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