Bay Soundings l Photo Contest

Six Local Photographers Help Celebrate Estuary Program's 15th Anniversary

Images from six local photographers will be highlighted as part of the celebration of Tampa Bay Estuary Program’s 15th Anniversary this year.

Above: Don Baker, St. Petersburg – close-up of brown pelican

The photographs were among more than 100 submitted to the “Wild and Wonderful Tampa Bay” photo contest open to amateur photographers from Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco and Pinellas counties. The winning photos are:

“Morning Dune Scape” by Merle Allshouse
“Pelican Profile” by Don Baker of St. Petersburg
“Milkweed Afternoon” by Kevin Bonello of Tampa
“Stormy Horizon” by William Carson of Tampa
“Afternoon Siesta” by Donald Moyer
“Skyway Sunset,” “Egret with Nest Material” and
“Osprey Landing” by Nicholas Muskovac

The photos were selected by members of the Tampa Bay Estuary Program’s Community Advisory Committee. “The quality and diversity of the photos we received was just amazing,” said Nanette Holland, TBEP’s public outreach coordinator. “Our area is obviously blessed with an abundance of very talented photographers who find great inspiration in the beautiful environment we share.”

Above: Nicholas Muskovac, Palm Harbor – Egret flying with branch

The estuary program was created by Congress in April 1991 to assist the community in developing a living blueprint for restoring Tampa Bay. Over the years, TBEP’s mission has evolved from the development of a management plan for Tampa Bay to actually implementing that plan through sound science and community consensus. In partnership with local governments, as well as regional, state and federal agencies, TBEP continues to track collective progress in restoring the bay; sponsor cutting-edge research into key sources of pollution; develop innovative education programs to involve citizens in bay improvement; and facilitate community reviews of important issues affecting the bay.