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Will County, IL: Bolingbrook Man Wins October Nature Photo Contest
Shorewood, IL – A Bolingbrook man's patience and determination to capture the perfect autumn scene have earned him top honors in a Will County photography contest, with a colorful woodland landscape t
By Elliot Vaughn · 2026-11-06T20:54:50.285Z
Shorewood, IL – A Bolingbrook man's patience and determination to capture the perfect autumn scene have earned him top honors in a Will County photography contest, with a colorful woodland landscape taking the October prize.
Matthew Dunn's photograph of a winding creek surrounded by brilliant yellow and orange leaves at Hammel Woods in Shorewood was selected as the October winner of the Forest Preserve District of Will County's Preserve the Moment photo contest.
According to the Forest Preserve District, Dunn spent several weekends visiting the preserve, waiting for fall colors to reach their peak before capturing his winning image Friday, Oct. 30.
Fall Colors Earn Top Honors Dunn said he believed the creek running through Hammel Woods would provide an ideal setting for a fall photograph.
"I went there the past few weekends waiting for the fall colors to peak," Dunn said. "Finally, I captured the photo on October 30 with lots of yellow and orange leaves."
Contest judges praised the photograph's composition, particularly the contrast between the flowing creek and colorful autumn foliage.
Dunn receives a $75 gift card for winning October's competition.
Three additional photographers earned honorable mentions for wildlife photographs taken at Lockport Prairie Nature Preserve, Veterans Woods and McKinley Woods.
$500 Grand Prize Still Ahead The photography contest continues through December, giving nature enthusiasts additional opportunities to participate.
Monthly winners from February through December will advance to a final competition in January 2027, when Facebook likes will determine the overall winners.
The top three prizes include Mastercard gift cards worth $500 for first place, $250 for second and $150 for third .
Three additional participants will be randomly selected to receive $75 Mastercard gift cards.
The contest encourages residents throughout Will County and the southwest Chicago suburbs to explore local forest preserves and document the region's natural beauty.
More information is available at reconnectwithnature.org.