The results from our summer photo contest are in! We were fortunate enough to receive so many wonderful photos and were very impressed at the caliber of the entries this summer. It was so difficult choosing our favorites, and we’d like to extend a very heartfelt thank you to everyone who submitted their photos. Now, without further ado, let’s take a look at the winners!
Seattle
Maple Valley resident Claudia Cooper wowed us with her breathtaking photo of Shilshole Marina at sunset. Shilshole is a Seattle landmark, keeping sailboats snug along the coast of Puget Sound, near Golden Gardens Park. The stillness of the water and the colors refracting off of the surface reminds us why we love the Emerald City.
San Juan Islands/Whale Watching
We were immediately drawn to Vadym’s incredible shot of an orca pod dancing in the setting sun. Seeing orcas celebrating like this makes our days brighter, and we couldn’t help but feel giddy at the sight of it. Happy orcas, plus a pastel San Juan sunset, is our idea of the perfect Salish Sea experience.
Victoria
Look at those eyes! Have you ever seen anything cuter? Originally, we thought this photo was taken underwater but apparently this little guy came right up to Darren and his daughter at Fisherman’s Wharf.
A true Victorian experience, there aren’t many other places you can get this close to wildlife. Just steps away from the Clipper terminal, feeding the seals is one of our favorite things to do in Victoria, and will surely leave you feeling all warm and fuzzy inside.
Best Overall
And the winner is…Cindy Ingram and her “Sunset Orca” photograph! This image took our breath away. Cindy managed to get this mesmerizing close-up of an orca taking one misty breath right before diving back underwater. The detail in this photo is such that you can almost imagine the sound of the orca sloshing and spewing in the water. You have a great eye, Cindy!
Thank you again to everyone who submitted photos to our contest. Keep an eye out for more contests in the future and more chances to win! We also occasionally share photos on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, so feel free to send your photos our way. We always love seeing the Northwest through the eyes of locals!
Feature Photo: Cindy Ingram