Calling all photographers: Show your wild(life) side

Every year, Arizona Highways asks for amateur and professional photographers to share their most stunning images of Arizona’s scenery. But now the magazine, published by ADOT, is asking for something a little wilder.

Actually, the magazine wants only the wildest things in Arizona: photos of our wildlife.

The images are for the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s 14th annual wildlife photo contest, which Arizona Highways is helping to promote. The top 12 of these photos will appear in the 2021 Arizona Wildlife Views calendar, published in that magazine’s November-December issue. And if your photo is judged the best in show, it will grace the cover of Arizona Wildlife Views. The photos may also appear in Arizona Highways.

If you’re looking for inspiration, you may not need to look any farther than your own yard. Just ask last year’s winner, Julie Curtis, who took her winning photo of two Harris’ antelope squirrels from an open window to her front yard. Julie shares the story behind her photo in this article from the May-June issue of Arizona Wildlife Views, which serves as a reminder that we can enjoy wildlife in our everyday lives.

We’d love to see your best wildlife photos. Keep in mind that photos must be of wildlife species that are native to Arizona and taken in Arizona settings. Also, images are evaluated on creativity, photographic quality, effectiveness in conveying the unique character of the subject, and whether the images meet basic size and formatting requirements. Submissions are due by 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14. See complete rules and tips at azgfd.gov/photocontest. 

Happy photographing, and we can’t wait to see your best!