A great blue heron photographed in Madison gave Christopher Baker first place in the Birds category of the 2026 Outdoor Alabama Photo Contest. Baker also took third in the same category with a Kentucky warbler in Huntsville.
Those two frames — one from Madison, one from the Rocket City — are a fair snapshot of what the contest keeps turning up in North Alabama: familiar birds, close to home.
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is now accepting entries for the 2027 Outdoor Alabama Photo Contest. The deadline is Oct. 30.
“Each year, nearly 2,000 images are entered in the Outdoor Alabama Photo Contest by some of the best amateur photographers in our state and from across the country,” ADCNR Commissioner Chris Blankenship said. “Their photos showcase the abundant wildlife, public lands and outdoor recreation opportunities that make Alabama the perfect destination for outdoor photography. We are honored to highlight their work and look forward to seeing the incredible photos entered in the 2027 contest.”
The contest is open to Alabama residents and visitors. Any amateur photographer not employed by ADCNR may enter.
Organizers are putting the emphasis on traditional photography and handheld cameras. Cellphone, smartphone, game-camera and drone images will not be chosen as winners in nine of the 10 categories. Smartphone and tablet photos are allowed only in Young Photographers, which is open to ages 17 and under.
Each person may submit up to 10 photos, all in one category or spread across several. First, second and third place plus one honorable mention will be awarded in each category. The 2027 categories are Alabama State Parks, Birds, Bugs and Butterflies, Cold-blooded Critters, Nature-Based Recreation, Scenic, Shoots and Roots, Sweet Home Alabama, Wildlife, and Young Photographers for ages 17 and under.
Winning images will be featured online and in a traveling exhibit across the state during 2027.
Baker was not the only local name on last year’s list. Gary Anderson won Bugs and Butterflies with a cicada in Huntsville. Matthew Crowell of Scottsboro took first in Scenic with Lake Guntersville in Scottsboro. Jordan Whitis won Wildlife with a white-tailed buck at Lake Guntersville State Park, and Drew Senter took Sweet Home Alabama with Natural Bridge in Winston County.
The 2026 Outdoor Alabama Photo Contest exhibit is on display at the Oak Mountain State Park Interpretive Center in Pelham through Sept. 16. A retrospective of winning images from 2021 through 2025 is at the Georgine Clarke Alabama Artists Gallery in downtown Montgomery through Sept. 25. Admission is free. The full exhibit schedule is at outdooralabama.com/photo-exhibit.
Category descriptions, contest rules and sponsor information for 2027 are at outdooralabama.com/photocontest.
Zachary Austin is a writer for 256 Today. You can contact him at [email protected].
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