Winning Photos
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| Roseate spoonbill at Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee Refuge, FL |
| Credit: Michael Rosenbaum |
A roseate spoonbill photo, taken at Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge by longtime refuge volunteer Michael Rosenbaum, has won the prestigious Nature’s Best Windland Smith Rice International award for the Bird category. More than 21,000 photographs are entered each year in this contest.
Rosenbaum’s winning photograph will be displayed in the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History from April to September 2012. Rosenbaum has also taken photographs at J.N. “Ding” Darling Refuge, FL, Bosque del Apache Refuge, NM, and other refuges around the country.
When Rosenbaum moved to Delray Beach from New York City in 1991 his main recreation soon became bird watching and walking at Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee Refuge. Walking the Marsh Trail and seeing an abundance of birds was a huge treat after having lived in Manhattan for twenty-five years.
Rosenbaum began to volunteer at the visitor center in the late 1990's and was on the board of the Friends of Loxahatchee for a couple of years. He also volunteered as a "rover" on the Marsh Trail, offering information to visitors, and in 2009 he began offering a three-day workshop on "advanced bird photography," aiming to disseminate tips on action photography focused on birds in flight. He will offer this course again in 2012.
Rosenbaum is also active in the Photographic Society of America and its local chapter in the Everglades.
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| Snow goose at Bosque del Apache Refuge, NM | Snowy egret with breeding plumage at J. N. "Ding" Darlington Refuge, FL | Hawk at Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee Refuge, FL |
| Michael Rosenbaum | Michael Rosenbaum | Michael Rosenbaum |
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Did you know that one of every five Americans watches birds? A 2009 report issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service also shows that these birdwatchers contributed $36 billion to the U.S. economy in 2006. There are more than 48 million people in the United States who identify themselves as birdwatchers. The top five states in birding participation are Montana, Maine, Vermont, Minnesota and Iowa.
From horned puffins in Alaska to roseate spoonbills in the Florida Keys, national wildlife refuges offer opportunities to view hundreds of species of birds. Whether you're a casual backyard birder or avid enthusiast, you'll find national wildlife refuges offer outstanding opportunities and facilities to view birds, often year round.
Refuges were created to protect, manage and restore habitat for migratory birds — often waterfowl or shorebirds. Many are actively managed to provide food or shelter for birds at specific times of the year. Active management may also provide habitat for a variety of shorebirds, wading birds, songbirds, raptors, and others.
There are national wildlife refuges within an hour's drive of most cities, so there is likely to be one near your home or along your vacation travel route. Refuges often have staff or volunteers who can help you identify local birds, direct you to birding hotspots, advise you of new or unusual sightings, or offer programs that explore the natural history of the area. Take advantage of trails, viewing platforms, or auto tour routes as a regular part of your routine. You may even be inspired to get more involved by volunteering, joining a Friends group, or helping in other ways.
In National Wildlife Refuges, Birds Rule click here to find out why
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