Amateur photographers are invited to participate in the annual Octoraro Watershed Association (OWA) Photography Contest by submitting photos taken in the watershed area.

Last year, more than 60 photographs were submitted by 24 photographers. A photo depicting a red-breasted merganser duck on the Octoraro Reservoir taken by Michael Rucci of Cochranville was the Best of Show entry.

"Each (photo) was taken in the Octoraro watershed and each one showcased the scenery, landscape, people and fun things that people do to enjoy the Octoraro Creek and its tributaries," said Chotty Sprenkle, contest coordinator.

This year, entrants are being asked to submit their photos in two formats: digitally and an 8-by-10-inch hard copy mounted on foam or hard cardboard. "We are asking people to provide them virtually for the judge and for the annual membership meeting, which will be virtual, and a hard copy for the traveling display," said Sprenkle. "We had tremendous success taking (the photos) to display at the Oxford and Quarryville libraries last year."

All photographs must be taken within the Octoraro Watershed, which includes Cecil County, Md., as well as the following townships in Pennsylvania: Eden, Bart, Sadsbury (in both Lancaster and Chester counties), Colerain, West Sadsbury, Highland, West Fallowfield, Upper Oxford, Lower Oxford, East Nottingham, Little Britain, Fulton, East Drumore and West Nottingham.

Photos will be entered and judged in four categories: Wildlife - plants, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, invertebrates and fungi (no domestic animals); Landscapes - sites, scenery, historic buildings and farmland; Outdoor Recreation - people enjoying the Octoraro Creek and its tributaries; and Trailcam - photographs captured on remote cameras.

Entries will be judged in three age categories: Adult, age 18 and above; Youth, ages 13 to 17; and Youth 2, age 12 and under. Monetary prizes and ribbons will be awarded to first-, second- and third-place winners in all categories. There will also be a ribbon and monetary prize given to the Best of Show winner and a ribbon awarded for People's Choice.

Digital copies should be emailed to csprenkle9@gmail.com. Hard copies will be accepted at the OWA office, located inside the West Fallowfield Township Building, 3095 Limestone Road, Suite 7, Cochranville, on Monday and Tuesday, March 14 and 15, between 6 and 8 p.m. each evening. Those who are unable to drop off their entries on those dates may contact Sprenkle to make alternate arrangements.

This year, the photographs will be judged by OWA member Robbyn Kehoe, director of the Atglen Public Library (APL), who studied large-format photography in college and showed her work in local juried shows.

All entries will be displayed at the OWA open house, set for Wednesday, March 23, from 6 to 8 p.m. Winners will be announced at the OWA annual meeting, which will be held via Zoom on Thursday, March 31, at 7 p.m. After the annual meeting, the photos will be featured at local libraries, including APL, and other venues in the watershed.

For more information, call Sprenkle at 610-593-2808 or text 484-888-5416. All photos must be received by March 15.