Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society (MARS) will be hosting its seventh annual Bald Eagle Festival on Feb.25 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Maritime Heritage Centre in Campbell River.
In addition to educational speakers and opportunities to meet wildlife up close and personal, Photo Tech foto source will be hosting its ever-popular photo contest.
Enter your best photos of birds and other native wildlife for a chance to win some exciting prizes, show off your photography skill and Monies collected will support MARS with the work of rescuing and rehabilitating wildlife.
There will be two age categories:
- Youth – 13 and under - $5 per photo
- Adult – 14 and over - $10 per photo
Prizes for the winners, compliments of Photo Tech are:
In the Youth (13 and under) category:
- First place – a 21x24 canvas gallery wrap enlargement of their winning photo
- Second place – a GorillaPod flexible tri-pod stand
- Third place –– a T-shirt printed with an image of their choosing
In the Adult (14 and over) category:
- First place –– a 21x24 canvas gallery wrap enlargement of their winning photo
- Second place – an 8x13 canvas gallery wrap enlargement of their winning photo
- Third place – a GorillaPod flexible tri-pod stand
The deadline for submissions is Feb. 22 at 5 p.m.
"The winners will be chosen by popular vote. Festival participants can cast their ballots at the MARS booth to vote for their favourite photos in each of the two categories. “An additional “Best in Fest” photograph will be selected by a panel of judges to receive the “Beethoven Award” in memory of the late Jim Dubois, a local wildlife and photography enthusiast who left us in 2011,"” says MARS President Warren Warttig. "The winner of this award will be invited to attend the release of a raptor."
To enter the contest, submit your photos on an image file on a memory stick or CD to Photo Tech Foto Source at #110 1260 Shoppers Row in Campbell River. Entry forms will be provided by Photo Tech.
Contestants may keep their 8x10 photo but will be asked to sign a release to allow MARS to use their photo in future fundraising events and publications, including facebook and the website www.wingtips.org.