Eligibility:
The contest is open to all photographers. Greater Sandhill Crane photos can be submitted in 4 categories:
- Yampa Valley Greater Sandhill Cranes (Routt & Moffat Counties) – Amateur Division
- Yampa Valley Greater Sandhill Cranes (Routt & Moffat Counties) – Professional Division
- Rocky Mountain Greater Sandhill Cranes – Locations outside the Yampa Valley (open to both Amateur and Professional photographers)
- Altered Reality Images of Rocky Mountain Greater Sandhill Cranes – locations both within and outside the Yampa Valley.
All photos submitted in any category must be taken between September 1, 2024 and August 9, 2025. Entrants must not infringe on the rights of any other photographer or person, or submit images that involve willful harassment of wildlife or damage to the environment by the photographer. No trespassing on private property to take photos.
All photographers should review and abide by the Audubon’s Guide to Ethical Bird Photography and Videography .
Photo Subject:
Categories 1 and 2:
Greater Sandhill Cranes and/or Sandhill Crane habitat in the Yampa Valley (Routt and Moffat Counties).
Category 3: Greater Sandhill Cranes found outside the Yampa Valley:
Specifically the states included in the Rocky Mountain Population of Greater Sandhill Cranes – Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Montana, Idaho, Arizona, New Mexico. Category 3 is open to both Amateur and Professional photographers.
Category 4: Altered Reality Images of Greater Sandhill Cranes found within and outside the Yampa Valley:
Specifically the states included in the Rocky Mountain Population of Greater Sandhill Cranes – Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Montana, Idaho, Arizona, New Mexico. Category 4 is open to both Amateur and Professional photographers.
Photos of cranes may include other birds and wildlife that share crane habitat.
Prizes:
Winners will be announced and prizes awarded at the Yampa Valley Crane Festival in four categories:
Yampa Valley Cranes, Amateur:
Gift certificates to PhotoGraphicsArt in Steamboat Springs, CO
- 1st place – $150 gift certificate
- 2nd place – $100 gift certificate
- 2 Honorable Mentions – $25 gift certificate each
Yampa Valley Cranes, Professional:
- 1st place – $200 cash
- 2nd place – $100 cash
- 2 Honorable Mentions – $50 cash each
Rocky Mountain Greater Sandhill Cranes outside the Yampa Valley – Amateur and Professional:
- 1st place – $200 cash
- 2nd place – $100 cash
Altered Reality Images of Rocky Mountain Greater Sandhill Cranes within and outside the Yampa Valley – Amateur and Professional:
- 1st place – $200 cash
- 2nd place – $100 cash
All winning photos and videos will be featured on the Yampa Valley Crane Festival website and CCCC social media.
To Submit Photos/Videos:
To submit photos, please email photocontest@coloradocranes.org with the following information: photographer’s name, phone number, category of entry, location of photo, date it was taken, a title for each photo, and attach each photo in jpeg format. Submissions must be received no later than August 9, 2025. Two submissions per person are allowed in each of the applicable categories. Entrants are eligible to win one prize per category.
Photo and Video Use Rights:
By submitting photos to the contest, you are agreeing to allow the Colorado Crane Conservation Coalition, sponsor of the Yampa Valley Crane Festival, to use your photo or video with appropriate credits on promotional materials and as part of the festival. Photos submitted to the contest can be used by CCCC for promotion of the festival and other CCCC activities.