1 week Ago By Alan Bartels
I don’t know who the genius is who first decided to include a camera in a smartphone, but that was really ...
smart. Now, millions of people have a good quality camera within arm’s reach at any given moment, day or night. Selfies are great, I guess.
Cat videos, too. But why not take that cell phone camera in your pocket or purse and put it to use to take photos for the 2025 Lower Loup NRD Photo Contest? Of the 23 Natural Resources Districts in Nebraska, the Lower Loup NRD is the largest in terms of land size. It is also one of the most diverse in terms of geography.
The district stretches 156 miles from the eastern Sandhills across prairie rangeland and fertile farmland all the way to the Columbus area. And north to south it measures 96 miles from Rock County to Buffalo County at the widest point. Contained within that massive area of more than 5 million acres is some of the most beautiful scenery in Nebraska in my opinion, including more than 500 miles of rivers and streams.
So, it goes without saying (I’m going to say it anyway) that the photo opportunities within the Lower Loup NRD are pretty much limitless. The Lower Loup NRD held its first photo contest in 2022 as a way of encouraging residents and visitors to get out and explore the district. Since then, we’ve received hundreds of photos.
With so many great images, the process of choosing the winner is agonizing. Prizes are awarded for first, second, and third places. A canvas print of the winning image hangs in the LLNRD lobby in Ord until the following year’s winning image replaces it.
Then the print is awarded to the winning photographer who captured the image. All the photo contest winners receive a prize package. Submitted images must have been taken within the Lower Loup NRD.
Most of the photos we receive fit into the categories of wildlife and nature, weather phenomenon, scenery, and agriculture. Yep, stunning sunsets, surprising sunrises, cute calves held by cute kids, fabulous farm fields, super storms. We also appreciate receiving photos of LLNRD recreation areas, photos of people enjoying themselves outdoors within the district, and photos that capture conservation practices in action.
I hope you’ll use your cell phone for something other than TikTok, get out and explore the Lower Loup NRD, and then submit a handful of your best images. Send them to me at [email protected] by midnight on May 15, 2025.
Oh, and contestants are welcome to use a real camera, too. Alan Bartels in the information and education coordinator for the Lower Loup Natural Resources District. Get local news delivered to your inbox!.
