Photo contest winners highlight the beauty found in Grand River watershed

Anyone who has gone for a hike or paddle along the Grand River knows there are some spectacular sights to behold.

Some of those sights are frozen in time thanks to photographers who spend time out in nature. The Grand River Conservation Authority has recognized some of the impressive photos in their annual photo contest.

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The grand prize photograph was shot by Anca Gaston of Brantford, of a bald eagle at Wilkes Dam in Brantford.

Gaston said she had camouflaged herself behind tree branches when she spotted the bald eagle fishing in the Grand River near Brant Park.

"I noticed the female bald eagle soaring overhead with her sharp eyes focused on the river looking for fish. Spotting something, she quickly began her downward dive. As she approached the water's surface, however, it became clear to me that the fish had gotten away because she swiftly changed directions, rising up from the water before touching it," Gaston said.

In all, the GRCA received 624 submissions. Below are more of the winners.

First place recreation: Canoe poling, Elora Gorge

This photo was taken by Jean Lefebvre of Waterloo of his friend, Stephen Coutts. Poling, Lefebvre, is a traditional but now uncommon technique of manoeuvring a canoe.

"Stephen is the only canoe poler I know, though I've heard rumours of another existing somewhere in Ontario," Lefebvre said. "He is particularly skilled at guiding his canoe in this unusual way. It makes for a good photography subject."

Second place recreation: Hiker at Shade's Mills Park

Avid photographer and outdoor enthusiast Sigrid Rhodes of Waterloo, took this image on a spring day.

Rhodes said she has a membership to GRCA parks, which works out well.

"We photograph the trilliums in the spring, the lush green forests in the summer, the fall colours and finally the frozen lakes and snow in the winter," she said.

First place panorama: Elora Quarry panorama

Ken Borghese of Guelph had get just the right vantage point, then stitch together 12 photographs, to get this shot.

"My wife and I had heard of the consistent popularity of Elora Quarry Park and decided to see for ourselves," he said of why he headed to the quarry on a busy summer afternoon. "We were not disappointed."

Second place panorama: Rockwood Park panorama

Marc Cadranel of Oakville enjoys taking day trips with his family and loves exploring southern Ontario.

"The area around us is so beautiful, varied and widespread that I suspect it will take us a while yet to cover it all," he said. "I particularly like [this photo] because, if one looks carefully, there are a few canoes that emphasize the imposing beauty of the park."

First place nature: Scenic Eramosa River

Shari Lovell of Rockwood enjoys taking candid street photos or attending special events, "But when you live in such a beautiful part of Ontario, it is hard not to take advantage of the photo opportunities that abound here."

She took this photo of the Eramosa River in Rockwood Park. She lives nearby, so she said when she sees a dramatic sky developing, 'I can zip over to the park to try to capture it."

Second place nature: Happy squirrel

Who doesn't enjoy a happy – and perhaps a little chubby – squirrel photo? Brenda Lawlor of Cambridge took this shot on a crisp November afternoon while on the Speed River trail.

"I was attempting to capture blue jays and cardinals, and was offering sunflower seed as payment. This young squirrel was an uninvited guest to my party, so I offered him his own portion of seed off to the side," she said.

"As I continued to photograph the birds, I glanced over and saw the squirrel happily feasting on the seed. Realizing this was the shot, I quietly and steadily got closer and closer and this was the end result."