Winner Gallery

The best outdoor photography from our club members.

This is where we showcase the winning photos from each round of the Outdoor Adventure Photo Club competition. Every photo on this page earned the most votes in its category and represents the kind of quality work our members are putting out there. These are not professional photographers with thousands of dollars in gear. These are regular people who spend time outdoors and know how to recognize a good shot when they see one. Whether it was a lucky encounter with an elk on a mountain road or the patience to wait for the perfect light on a foggy morning, each of these photos tells a story about being in the field.

The gallery is organized by category so you can browse through the wildlife winners, the best landscape shots, and the top action and adventure photos separately. New winners are added after each voting round closes, so this page will continue to grow as the club grows. If you see a photo here that inspires you to get out and start shooting, that is exactly the point. Check the rules page for submission guidelines and send in your best work. Maybe your photo will be the next one hanging in this gallery.

Wildlife Winners

Bull Elk on the Ridge

Bull elk standing on a dirt road with pine trees in the background

Taken on a backcountry road in the mountains. This bull stepped out of the tree line and stood there long enough to get the shot.

Tiny Toad

Small American toad sitting on a person's fingers with green ferns in the background

Found this little guy sitting on the trail at Pictured Rocks. Barely bigger than a thumbnail.

Baby Cottontails

Three baby cottontail rabbits being held carefully in a hand

A nest of baby cottontails found in the yard, barely missed them while cutting grass. Carefully picked up for one photo and put right back where they were.

Landscape Winners

Craig Lake Reflection

Rock cliff reflected in calm lake water at Craig Lake

The water was dead calm in the morning and the cliff face reflected like a mirror. Craig Lake State Park in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

Tahquamenon Falls

Tahquamenon Falls with tannin-colored water cascading over a wide ledge

The Upper Falls at Tahquamenon in the fall with the tannin-stained water roaring over the ledge. One of Michigan's most powerful waterfalls.

Campfire at Night

Bright campfire burning at night with flames reaching upward

Sometimes all you need for an escape is just a fire in your backyard.

Action and Adventure Winners

Scouting from Shore

Hiker with a backpack and beagle next to a loaded canoe on a backcountry lake

Glassing the far shore with the beagle and a fully loaded canoe at Craig Lake. This is what backcountry looks like.

Lining the canoe

Man lining a canoe through shallow rocky water on a backcountry river

Sometimes you cannot paddle through so you get in the water and line the canoe by hand.

The Overlook

Hiker standing on a wooded overlook above a misty lake

Standing above the water on a foggy fall morning at Pictured Rocks. The mist added something the sunshine never could.