The Octoraro Watershed Association (OWA) recently announced the winners of its fifth annual Photography Contest, which asked participants to submit photos taken in the watershed. This area includes 208 square miles in southern Chester and Lancaster counties, as well as Cecil County, Md. Entries were judged in four categories for youths and adults: Wildlife, Landscapes, Trailcam and Agriculture.

This year's contest netted a total of 80 photos, up from 65 entered last year. Jennifer Warren, vice president of the Oxford Area Historical Association, and her son Finn judged the photo contest.

"We received many entries this year with notable photos taken within the Octoraro watershed," said Chotty Sprenkle, contest organizer, adding that among the entries were those submitted by members of the Students of the Watershed club at Octorara Junior-Senior High School. "OWA also partnered with Octorara high school and Amanda Keifer, educator, and the Students of the Watershed members for a robust youth submission of 40 photographs."

For the second consecutive year, Best of Show was awarded to Steven Berkowitz of Kirkwood for his photo of a baby fox, called a kit.

Kevin Joyce of Atglen won the People's Choice Award for a photo of a cemetery at sunrise. The photo, which was titled "Misty Mourning" by the photographer, was taken at Glen Run Cemetery in Atglen.  

The winners of the show were announced at the OWA annual membership meeting on March 27 at Britain Hill Venue & Vineyard in Quarryville. Attendees were asked to vote for their favorite photo at the event, where Joyce was chosen as the winner.

In the adult Agriculture division, Sprenkle won first place. Anita Bower of Nottingham won second place, and Lynne Cherico of Colora, Md., captured third place.

Cherico won first place in the Landscapes division, followed by Donna McCool of Cochranville, who earned second place, and Joyce, who won third place. Rupert Rossetti of Port Deposit, Md., won first, second and third places in the adult Trailcam division.

In the adult Wildlife division, Cherico won first and third place and McCool captured second place.

Youth category winners included the following: Agriculture - Marissa Yarrish of Cochranville in first and second places and Artis Roselli of Cochranville in third place; Landscapes - Yarrish in first place, Ethan Miller of Christiana in second place and Tristan Lazor of Cochranville in third place; and Wildlife - Cole Hirtzel of Cochranville in first place, Gabriella Rossi of Parkesburg in second place and Ambyr Avila of Parkesburg, third place. There were no youth Trailcam entries.

All photos will now be a part of a traveling display to local libraries, including Atglen Public Library followed by the Oxford Library Company and Quarryville Library. The exhibit will open in May and travel throughout the summer. In addition, the photos taken by the Octorara students were on display in the high school lobby throughout April.

OWA's mission is "protecting and preserving the natural and historic resources of the Octoraro Watershed." As part of this effort, OWA members take part in stream and reservoir cleanups, complete water quality monitoring and buffer planting and set up informational tables at community events. For more information about the OWA, membership, volunteer opportunities and upcoming events, visit http://www.theowa.org.

Those with questions may call 484-947-9390 or email octorarowa@gmail.com.