Cash prizes offered for top wildlife photos; contest entry deadline is July 9

What does it take to capture a great photo of a bird or animal? Equipment, skill, good timing … and a little luck. 

The Arizona Game and Fish Department is looking for photographers who have what it takes to make amazing wildlife images. The department’s annual wildlife calendar photo contest is accepting entries through July 9 at 5 p.m. MST. Winning photos will be showcased in the 2013 Arizona Wildlife Calendar, in the November–December issue of Arizona Wildlife Views magazine.

A top prize will be awarded to the photographer whose work is “best in show.” Twelve more first-place winners (one for each month of the year) will also win cash. Winning entries will be published in a 2013 calendar showing off the diversity of Arizona’s wildlife. Prize money is funded through calendar sales.

As always, the contest is free to enter. Only digital entries are accepted. This year, for the first time, entries are being accepted via email or the file-sharing website YouSendIt. For full details, visit www.azgfd.gov/photocontest.

All pictures must be of Arizona wildlife and must be taken in Arizona. We’re looking for images of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish; no insects (including butterflies), please!

The judging process is “blind,” meaning entrants are assigned a number and their pictures are evaluated anonymously. Personal information is not attached to images or revealed to judges. Photos are evaluated on creativity, photographic quality, effectiveness in conveying the unique character of the subject, and whether or not submitted images meet basic size and formatting requirements.

Those who have captured one of Arizona’s amazing wild animals in a photograph are invited to enter. Remember, the deadline for the 2013 Arizona wildlife calendar photo contest is July 9 at 5 p.m. MST.