Midpen Open Space announces winners of annual photo contest – including two with local ties

The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District has announced the winners of its annual photography contest, among them a Woodside and Menlo Park resident.

Max Kessler of Woodside took Sunrise at Clouds Rest (top), a winner in the Trail Less Traveled category, at Coal Creek Open Space Preserve. He writes: ““Coal Creek Preserve boasts a sweeping view of the Bay with Mount Diablo and Dumbarton Bridge. Some mornings, like the one photographed, I wake up at dawn to reach a vista as the sun comes over the hills and lights up the Bay Area.”

Julie Elmquist of Menlo Park took Milky Way Chasing, winner in the Landscape Category at Monte Bello Preserve. “I am in love with the starry night sky, so to capture this image so close to home with the quiet beautiful open space that we are blessed with was magical,” she writes. “The quiet expanse of the night is my happy place.”

The six winners were chosen by Midpen staff and public voting on social media to determine the “people’s choice” winner, from 125 entries submitted. Categories included wildlife, plant life, landscapes, people in nature, the trail less traveled and aspiring photographers for students in grades kindergarten through twelfth grade.

The first-place winner in each category received an REI gift card.