NOAA received many compelling photographs of important habitats to help celebrate NOAA Habitat Month. We accepted submissions from NOAA employees and the general public in four categories. Thank you to those who submitted! We will be sharing all entries and using the images on our website and in other materials.
Category 1: General Habitat
Any type of coastal or ocean habitat including estuaries, wetlands, coasts, rivers, oysters reefs, coral reefs, etc.
Public Entry Winner: Steve Callahan, Wells, Maine
Salt Marsh with Small Grass Islands.
NOAA Entry Winner: Lisamarie Carrubba, Guayanilla, Puerto Rico
Looking toward Punta Ventana, an area containing pocket beaches where hawksbill sea turtles nest, corals, seagrass and habitat for seabirds and numerous fishery species.
Category 2: Habitat Helps Critters
Wildlife living in or interacting with their habitat.
Public Entry Winner: Jason Major, Little Compton, Rhode Island
A trio of Harlequin Ducks in the surf off Sakonnet Point.
NOAA Entry Winner: Linda Shaw, Sitka Alaska
A starfish is revealed in an eelgrass bed at low tide. This bed was located in an area protected as mitigation for the Sitka Airport Runway Safety Area expansion.
Category 3: Habitat Helps Communities
People interacting with and enjoying coastal and ocean habitat areas including for recreation such as kayaking, swimming, flood protection, etc.
Public Entry Winner: Ted Morgan, Annapolis, Maryland
An intrepid kayaker is enjoying an early season sunrise paddle on the Severn River
NOAA Entry Winner: Janelle Mueller, Gunpowder Falls State Park, Maryland
Fly fisherman fishing in Gunpowder Falls State Park in Maryland. This area is known for hiking, biking, bird viewing and many kinds of fishing.
Category 4: Habitat Helps the Economy
People at work or coastal and ocean industries taking place with or near habitat (e.g. commercial fishing industry, aquaculture, shipping, etc.).
Public Entry Winner: Steve Callahan, Wells, Maine
Lobsterman on boat with lobster trap
NOAA Entry Winner: Danielle Olive, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
Overlooking view of Charlotte Amalie, the capital of tourism in St. Thomas U.S. Virgin Islands.
