Thank you to all of our supporters who participated in our third annual Summer Photo Contest!
Capturing everything from breathtaking landscapes to captivating animals, our talented community of photographers once again transported us through their stunning artwork. The enchanting moments portrayed in these photos continue to inspire us and remind us of the beauty and diversity of our world.
Explore all of the 2024 photo submissions below and join us in celebrating the artistry and passion of Population Connection’s members and supporters.
Congrats to Our Winners!
Karl Leck
Member Since 2004
A white horse and sheep graze in the foothills of the Southern Alps near Wanaka, in South Island, New Zealand.
Why population stabilization matters to Karl
“Population increase continues to take over land and water resources. Places get developed to serve a growing population, and scenes like this can disappear. Humanity needs to address its rapid population growth to preserve natural resources and the beauty of our world.”
Eric Cullen Hackler
Supporter Since 2024
A lone bald eagle floats atop an iceberg at the foot of Margerie Glacier in Glacier Bay National Park (Sit’ Eeti Gheeyi) in July 2022
Why population stabilization matters to Eric
“For better or worse, we are the current stewards of this planet, and with that power comes a great responsibility to celebrate and protect it. What I’ve always found most beautiful about the ecosystems of our world is the balance between everything. The relationships where seasonal temperature changes cause calving glaciers to create essential iceberg habitats for otters, eagles, and seals.
With the rapid deterioration we’ve caused over the last 200 years, I believe the need for art that shares the delicate interconnectedness of the world has never been stronger. Otherwise, we will end up floating along, oblivious to the truth that the ground is melting under our feet.”
Kathleen Raffel
Member Since 2023
Crissy Field, at the base of the Golden Gate Bridge, is a popular place for people to stroll and birds to hunt. Urban parks provide important habitat for both humans and wildlife.
Why population stabilization matters to Kathleen
“Addressing population issues is important so we can find ways to keep people well-fed and healthy without decimating wildlife populations. Growing cities and communities put pressure on natural habitats and threaten the health of animals, plants, and people. Urban parks provide essential habitat for both humans and wildlife.
I am very involved in bird conservation and am particularly interested in finding ways that animals and humans can thrive together.”
All Entries
Scenic Splendor
The bright and beautiful colors of fall are on display.
Submitted by: Paul Dyer
Kayakers heading out from Viking Expedition ship docked in Antarctica on Christmas Eve.
Submitted by: Stella Gibson
Rainbow at Stone Tower, Glen Echo Park in Maryland
Submitted by: David Epstein
A hand-laid stone arch bridge set against a gorgeous woodland scene in New Hampshire.
Submitted by: Réal Levasseur
Finding peacefulness in the magnificence of the Redwoods. Peacefulness in the Redwoods.
Submitted by: Catherine H. Knoop
Sunset over Edisto Beach, an estuary in South Carolina.
Submitted by: Melvin Cohen
Smoke from the Oregon wildfires covers the sun in Port Orford during the day.
Submitted by: Catherine H. Knoop
The bay at Port Orford, Oregon
Submitted by: Catherine H. Knoop
Looking across the meadow to Mt. Rainier
Submitted by: Catherine H. Knoop
The beauty of winter from under a stand stone cliff in Ash Cave State Park, Ohio.
Submitted by: Catherine H. Knoop
Sunset over the Gulf of Mexico after a storm on Captiva Island in Florida.
Submitted by: Catherine H. Knoop
Sunset on Isla Verde Beach in Puerto Rico.
Submitted by: James O'Callaghan
Nature around Fort Portal Crater Lake in Uganda
Submitted by: Perezi Nkwasiibwe
Birds and the surf in Melbourne, Florida.
Submitted by: Paul Dyer
Autumn view of Little Rock Pond found along the Appalachian Trail in Vermont.
Submitted by: Paul Dyer
Enjoying nature away from the busy world by a waterfall in Hilo, Hawaii
Submitted By: Karl Leck
A white horse and sheep graze in the foothills of the Southern Alps on South Island
Submitted By: Karl Leck
Enchanting Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park
Submitted by: Edith Jeffreys
Grasslands at Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming
Submitted by: Edith Jeffreys
Colors of Yellowstone's hydrothermal features.
Submitted by: Edith Jeffreys
Morning at Moraine Lake in Banff National Park
Submitted by: Doranne Jacobson
Rainbows at Victoria Falls, at the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia
Submitted by: Doranne Jacobson
View of Lake Atitlan, near Panajachel, Guatemala
Submitted by: Doranne Jacobson
The waterfall on Mist trail in Yosemite National Park
Submitted by: Chris Bankie
Greenland from a plane coming from Iceland to the US
Submitted by: Jane Robbins
Aquinnah cliffs, which glaciers carved millions of years ago, in Wampanoag Reservation
Submitted by: Donna McDowell
Snow-covered Abajo Mountains
Submitted by: Russell King
The gorgeous Plitvice National Park in Croatia has numerous waterfalls and turquoise blue lakes to enjoy.
Submitted by: Jane Robbins
Plitvice National Park in Croatia
Submitted by: Jane Robbins
Scotties at sunset on the Pacific shore
Submitted by: Doranne Jacobson
Botanical Bliss
Refraction in water drops of a yellow and red Lily.
Submitted by: Réal Levasseur
The roots of a wise old tree.
Submitted by: Catherine H. Knoop
Life on a decomposing Redwood
Submitted by: Catherine H. Knoop
Tree canopy with the vivid colors of autumn in Thacher State Park, Voorheesville, NY.
Submitted by: Paul Dyer
Bumblebee on bee balm.
Submitted by: Paul Dyer
Bumblebee approaching bee balm.
Submitted by: Paul Dyer
Milkweed seed pod opening.
Submitted by: Paul Dyer
Vibrant red leaf and fern in Delmar, NY
Submitted by: Paul Dyer
Fallen maple leaves in Quechee, Vermont.
Submitted by: Paul Dyer
Birch tree and maple leaves in Stowe, Vermont
Submitted by: Paul Dyer
Fallen leaves on the ground at the Five Rivers Environmental Education Center in Delmar, NY.
Submitted by: Paul Dyer
Bees with a spring blossom
Submitted by: Donna McDowell
Ochroma pyramidale is a tropical tree with many fruits that are eaten by monkeys, insects, and birds, such as the great blue turaco.
Submitted by: John Sunday
Spring blossoms opening to welcome the spring season.
Submitted By: Donna McDowell
The photo captures the foundation of all life on planet Earth: water, the sun, and plants
Submitted by: John Nelson
Dispersal of milkweed seeds
Submitted by: Donna McDowell
The simple beauty of fallen leaves
Submitted by: Chris Bankie
Three bees on native passion flower in Silver Spring, Maryland
Submitted by: Joe Schechter
A painted lady butterfly on a vibrant, pink rose just moments after emerging from its chrysalis
Submitted by: Lori McBride
Creature Chronicles
Song Sparrow observing a nearby fisherman in New Hampshire.
Submitted by: Réal Levasseur
A thirsty bobcat enters a backyard to get a drink in New Mexico.
Submitted by: Alex Burr
A new family of Great Blue Herons at Cedar Swamp Preserve in Manchester, NH.
Submitted by: Réal Levasseur
A Snowy Egret on the lookout for prey.
Submitted by: Catherine H. Knoop
A view looking out from within Sea Lion Cave
Submitted by: Catherine H. Knoop
Sleeping and preening White Pelicans at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge.
Submitted by: Catherine H. Knoop
Birds and the surf in Melbourne, Florida.
Submitted by: Paul Dyer
Lion couple resting on the grass
Submitted by: Nancy Barsotti
Leucistic Giraffe in Burunge Wildlife Management Area, close to Tarangire national Park, Tanzania.
Submitted by: Nancy Barsotti
Young, curious elephant in Burunge Wildlife Management Area, close to Tarangire National Park, Tanzania.
Submitted by: Nancy Barsotti
Wetlands scene on the North edge of Chincoteague Island
Submitted by: Donna McDowell
Blue Footed Boobies diving for fish at Elizabeth Bay, Galapagos Islands
Submitted By: Karl Leck
Mockingbird among Marine Iguanas on the shore of Galapagos Islands
Submitted By: Karl Leck
A Blue Footed Boobie chick hollers for dinner on Genovesa Island, Ecuador
Submitted By: Karl Leck
An injured lion resting in the bush in Zimbabwe
Submitted by: Marsha Gelt
Ebony Jewel-Winged Damselfly in Wissahickon Valley Park, featuring the insect's white markings on the ends of the wings
Submitted by: John Nelson
Red-Banded Hairstreak Butterfly in Wissahickon Valley Park
Submitted by: John Nelson
Scarlet Tanager in Wissahickon Valley Park
Submitted by: John Nelson
A Monarch Butterfly on an Orange Milkweed flower in Wissahickon Valley Park
Submitted by: John Nelson
Baltimore Oriole in Wissahickon Valley Park
Submitted by: John Nelson
Lilac-breasted roller in Botswana
Submitted by: Doranne Jacobson
Fish at the Woods Hole Science Aquarium in Woods Hole, MA
Submitted by: Donna McDowell
Two giraffe mothers with their babies at the Timbavati Game Reserve in South Africa
Submitted by: Barbara Lenssen
Swan passing by in Rigi Kaltblad, Switzerland
Submitted by: Barbara Hoefer
A local farmer and the Nature Conservancy have partnered to leave fields flooded in the winter so that migrating Sandhill Cranes can roost and feed safely. This initiative protects critical habitat in the Pacific Flyway.
Submitted by: Kathy Raffel
A Sheldrick's Wildlife Trust keeper in Kenya bottle-feeds an orphaned elephant to return it to the wild once it has grown large enough to rejoin a herd.
Submitted by: Kathy Raffel
Wildebeest mother and its newborn calf running side by side at Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Submitted by: Kathy Raffel
Passing Each Other By
Submitted by: Kathy Raffel
A wild burro walked right up to a car in Death Valley National Park.
Submitted by: Lyn Jensen
Colorful dragonfly in Lake County, Central Florida
Submitted by: John Nelson
Colorful dragonfly in Lake County, Central Florida
Submitted by: John Nelson
Female Wood Duck with ducklings in Wissahickon Valley Park
Submitted by: John Nelson
Iguana on the shore
Submitted by: Barbara Lenssen
Birds sitting on the on the posts
Submitted by: Donna McDowell
Bald eagle floats atop an iceberg through the waters in Glacier Bay National Park
Submitted by: Eric Hackler
Boreal chickadee on white spruce branch with lichen
Submitted by: Jean Cole
Adult male tiger facial portrait in the Jim Corbett tiger reserve, Northern India
Submitted by: Andrew Clark
Baby Great Horned Owl in Clyde Park, Montana
Submitted by: Dorothy Bradley
Red fox with vole in Yellowstone National Park
Submitted by: Nancy Vandermey
Polar bear swimming near Norway, Svalbard Islands
Submitted by: Nancy Vandermey
Humpback whales and penguins enjoying a bounty of krill together at Mickelson Bay, Antarctica
Submitted by:Joel Hariton
Cultural Kaleidoscope
Detail from the exterior of Basílica de la Sagrada Família in Barcelona, Spain.
Submitted by: Bruce Ross
"Love Knows No Age" is an image of a pair of lovers on a park bench in the center of San Miguel de Allende.
Submitted by: Curt Firestone
Pokot Tribe Warrior in a remote area of Kenya. Special permission is required to visit the Pokots. It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Submitted by: Nancy Barsotti
Samburu Woman displaying their beaded collar in rural Kenya.
Submitted by: Nancy Barsotti
Enjoying a Southern California beach with my dogs
Submitted by: Lori Sumner
Visiting Monte Alban, Oaxaca, Mexico
Submitted by: Doranne Jacobson
The Charles River winds through the heart of Boston
Submitted by: Jasmin Riley
Horse race in rural Mongolia
Submitted by: Nancy Vandermey
Canada Day firework on July 1, 2024 at Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
Submitted by: Hom Shrestha
We are but children on a tiny planet!
Submitted by: Michael Murohy
An aeroplane passing over a Sky Garden in London
Submitted by: Fatoumata Toure