Romeoville, IL – A pollen-covered bumblebee caught the eye of judges in Will County, earning a Romeoville kindergarten teacher July’s top honor in a nature photography contest that continues through the end of the year.
According to the Forest Preserve District of Will County, Nancy “Gaby” Valladolid won the July portion of its Preserve the Moment photo contest with a close-up image of a two-spotted bumblebee at Isle a la Cache preserve in Romeoville.
Valladolid photographed the bee covered in pollen while it sipped nectar from an anise hyssop plant, capturing the insect as it helped spread pollen between flowers.
One contest judge said the image beautifully portrayed “one of nature’s tiniest creatures doing one of its most important jobs.”
Valladolid said photographing bees can require patience because they constantly move between flowers.
“Sometimes I follow a bee for quite some time and it’s cool to see the different interactions with each flower,” she said.
The experience has also become educational for her family. Valladolid said her 4-year-old son is learning about the importance of honeybees and bumblebees to the environment.
“I worked hard to capture this photo, but not as hard as these bees,” she said.
Three photographers received July honorable mentions. Amy Miller of Joliet captured the sun at Rock Run Preserve, while Romeoville’s Mark Hanna photographed a 13-lined ground squirrel eating dandelions at Prairie Bluff Preserve in Crest Hill. Joe Viola of Shorewood was recognized for an image of fawns nursing at Rock Run Preserve.
The contest remains open through Dec. 31, giving photographers more opportunities to enter.
Monthly winners receive a $75 gift card. Overall prizes include Mastercard gift cards worth $500 for first place, $250 for second and $150 for third.
Participants can submit up to five photos each month. All entries must be photographed at a Forest Preserve District of Will County location, with complete rules available at ReconnectWithNature.org.
