Huron Fringe Field Naturalists announce winners of photo contest

Nearly 40 members of the Huron Fringe Field Naturalists gathered Tuesday at the Pine River United Church, to share good food, good company and beautiful photography.

The theme of this year’s photo contest was “Winter Wonderland” but on this beautiful day, the members were left wondering where winter went.

Members were encouraged to enter up to four images each: two in each of the 4”X6” and 5”X7” categories. The assembly then voted on the top two photos in each size class.

Perennial favourite, Glen Holmes, tied for first with Jeni Pepper in the 5”X7” group. Pepper’s cardinal won first in 4”X6” class, with Jayne Miltenburg placing second. Their winning photos will be featured in the next Fringe Notes newsletter.

In addition to the photo contest, members brought examples of nature-related interests which this year included paintings, precipitation data gathering, and the reassembled skeleton of a water fowl.

Citizen Science was a secondary theme at this year’s event with a display of programs and applications (apps) to suit the many and varied interests of naturalists.

Tineasha Brenot, coastal technician with the Lake Huron Centre for Coastal Conservation, was also on hand to talk to members about the centre’s many programs and to invite everyone to attend the Coastal Speaker Series. (www.lakehuron.ca)

The next Huron Fringe Field Naturalists meeting will take place Tuesday, March 27, at 7:30 pm. Bat expert Allan Kempert will teach about bats: their behaviour, fun facts about them, benefits of them, and when and how to evict bats safely. Visitors are always welcome. To contact or learn more about the club, visit http://hffn.huronstewardship.ca.