2021 Get Into Your Sanctuary Photo Contest Results

Thank you to all the photographers who shared their view of national marine sanctuaries with us! Click each photograph to see the full version.

Please note that we may use any of the photos we received for this contest on our website, on social media, and in other NOAA and National Marine Sanctuary Foundation publications. We will provide credit to photographers whenever we use any of the photos. Organizations other than NOAA and the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation may use photographs submitted in this contest to promote sustainable and responsible activities in the National Marine Sanctuary System, as long as the photographer is credited. These photos are not for sale and are not for commercial use unless prior permission is arranged.

Sanctuary Views

See the beautiful scenery of the National Marine Sanctuary System through visitors' eyes.

Rocky farallon islands — **1st Place: James Moskito.** Arch Rock South East Farallon in Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary.

a heron sihouetted at sunset — **2nd Place: Michael Schilling.** A great blue heron (*Ardea herodias*) observes the setting sun over Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

The moon over the ocean and a pink sky. — **3rd place: Douglas Croft.** "Moonset over Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. As I arrived at Moss Landing for an early morning Whale watching trip, I had to stop at the beach to take this scene in for a few minutes."

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Sanctuary Life

From tiny krill to enormous gray whales, thousands of species call the National Marine Sanctuary System home! This category depicts the amazing marine life that you can find in your national marine sanctuaries.

Western snowy plover on a beach with bands — **1st Place: Yvonne P Wright.** Western snowy plover (*Charadrius nivosus nivosus*) at Seaside State Beach in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

A seahorse in mangroves. — **2nd Place: Patrick Malloy.** Lined seahorse (*Hippocampus erectus*) found in mangroves of Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

giant trevally fish — **3rd Place: Kimberly Jeffries.** A curious giant trevally (*Caranx ignobilis*) comes in for a look at Kapou (Lisianski) Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.

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Sanctuary Recreation

National marine sanctuaries provide an idyllic setting for a variety of recreational activities. This category celebrates the people who visit them.

body surfer catching a large wave — **1st Place: Anna Baker Mikkelsen.** Catching a large swell at Sandy’s Beach in Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.

Child sits on the shoreline by the ocean and a palm tree. — **2nd Place: Makerita Gebauer.** Learning to fish responsibly at Amanave Village in National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa.

two people walk along the foggy beach — **3rd Place: Mark Losavio.** “The views of the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary are so grand and beautiful that it feels like I’ve been transported to a movie set or something. Such surreal beauty is difficult to capture on camera but I love having a reminder of my time there.”

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Sanctuaries at Home

While it’s important to get outside, experience nature, and recreate responsibly, we know that many of us spent more time at home this year. Through art, stewardship activities from home, and responsible water-based recreation photographers shared how they connected with national marine sanctuaries from afar.

child painting a turtle at home — **1st Place: Makerita Gebauer.** “Educating young minds about the beauty of nature and using art to showcase the importance of the ocean and its habitats for future generations.”

chalk drawings on sidewalk and person in SCUBA gear — **2nd Place: Jill Brown.** Chalk art of dreaming of diving the Christ of Abyss statue and the goliath groupers that lurk in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

group of people holding hands, arms raised up, posed in front of the ocean — **3rd Place: Zalak Ghanshyambhai Sabapara.** Chain of Happiness at Bhavnagar coastal area in Gujarat, India.

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Please note that we may use any of the photos we received for this contest on our website, on social media, and in other NOAA and National Marine Sanctuary Foundation publications. We will provide credit to photographers whenever we use any of the photos. Organizations other than NOAA and the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation may use photographs submitted in this contest to promote sustainable and responsible recreation in the National Marine Sanctuary System. These photos are not for sale and are not for commercial use unless prior permission is arranged.

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