Arizona Wildlife Photo Contest

Photo contest winners showcase the diversity of Arizona’s wildlife

Winners of the 17th annual wildlife photo contest are featured in Arizona Wildlife Views’  2024 calendar.

On one of the many four-wheel drive roads south of Payson, Anne James hiked about a mile before finding a mossy, shady runoff area. She was attracted to the peaceful balance of the place where water, vegetation and flowers were growing beautifully in one spot. This is where James’ image of a ringtail was photographed, winning her best in show for the 2023 wildlife photo contest.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department is excited to announce the winners of the 2023 wildlife photo contest. 

The 12 winning photographs are included in the full-size 2024 wildlife calendar that is published in the November-December 2023 issue of Arizona Wildlife Views magazine. All subscriptions ordered through Dec. 31, 2023, will receive the calendar issue and also get free issue(s) added to the order. The calendar also will be sold at all Arizona Game and Fish offices for $3 starting in mid-November.

Anne James’ photo of a ringtail was awarded best in show and is showcased on both the cover and in the calendar. “I knew few entries would include a ringtail because of their nocturnal nature and that it wasn’t an ordinary image,” she said.

The 12 winning photographers are:

• Jim Burns, Scottsdale: Round-tailed ground squirrel kits
• Bill Ferris, Flagstaff: Elk
• Isabel Guerra Clark, Phoenix: Desert bighorn sheep
• Anne James, Payson: Ringtail
• Kristen Kabrin, Fallon, Nevada: Coati
• Paul Martin, Mesa: Red-naped sapsucker
• Jeff Martineau, San Tan Valley: Banded rock rattlesnake
• Kathleen Murphy, Payson: Clark’s grebes
• Lee Scherer, Marana: American pronghorn
• David Vincent, Tucson: Bobcat
• William Wells, Surprise: Woodhouse’s toad
• Sue Welter, Peoria: Common chuckwallas

Given the strength and diversity of this year’s nearly 800 entries, the judges singled out 20 images from talented photographers for honorable mention. These photos also are featured in the calendar issue:

• Julie Curtis, Golden Valley: Harris’s antelope squirrel
• Tom Jones, Phoenix: Gila woodpeckers
• Yvonne Kippenberg, Scottsdale: Desert bighorn sheep
• Leslie Leathers, Tucson: Vermilion flycatcher
• Robin Merrill, Cornville: American beaver
• Mandy Montooth, Flagstaff: Long-tailed weasel
• Christine Nolan, Phoenix: Great egret
• Pamela Parker, Mesa: Gambel’s quail
• DeeDee Purcell, Phoenix: Mule deer
• David C. Ring, Tucson: Great horned owl
• Kathy Ritter, Happy Jack: Steller’s jays
• Tam Ryan, Mesa: Black-necked stilts
• Josh Sellke, Scottsdale: Black-tailed jackrabbit
• Stephen Vaughan, Tucson: Rufous hummingbird
• Faith Walker, Flagstaff: Hoary bat
• Dan Weisz, Tucson: Varied bunting
• Alfred Weling, Scottsdale: Snowy egret
• Sean Wickenheisser, Lake Havasu City: Verdin
• Russell Wynter, Scottsdale: Western screech-owl
• Marc Zebell, Springerville: Bull elk

Thank you to everyone who submitted photographs, and we also want to thank Arizona Highways for its partnership in hosting the photo contest.

View the list of past wildlife photo contest winners.

Subscribe today to bring Arizona’s wildlife and wild places into your home!

View the Official Rules. Entrants are responsible for complying with the Official Rules or may result in disqualification. This contest is for images of Arizona wildlife. All photos must depict wildlife native to and found in Arizona, and all photos must have been taken in Arizona settings.