A Year In Nature

The Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance (CBA) launched a calendar photo contest at the beginning of 2025 as part of the Mattie Kelly Environmental Initiative. The contest invites amateur photographers of all skill levels to capture the natural beauty and ecological heritage of the Choctawhatchee Bay and surrounding areas. Twelve winners were selected to be included in a 2026 CBA calendar. Here are a few winning contestant highlights.

January: Squirrel
in the snow, by Augusto Cayson Barreto

“I was 15, almost 16, when this photo was taken. I was a full-time college student at Northwest Florida State College, and I just happened to be taking a photography course that semester. The snow gave me a perfect opportunity to use my camera and experiment. There are a lot of squirrels in my area. I was surprised to still see them out in the snow. This one was bracing against the snow just to get some birdseed we left on our porch.”—Augusto Cayson Barreto

Photo by Stacey Tobik

April: North American
least tern mother and baby, by Stacey Tobik

“Magical photos happen when you least expect them, but you know the moment it happens. This photo was one of those moments. My husband obliged me when I told him I wanted to take photos of the North American least terns and skimmers who nest along the Okaloosa Island seawall each spring. I was leaning against our truck, taking random photos, when I noticed the sweet face of the baby tern in its nest. Within seconds, the mama tern returned with lunch. Just as she was settling into the nest, the baby turned and looked directly at me. Pure magic!”—Stacey Tobik

Photo by David Bailey

October: Blue heron side profile, by David Bailey

“There are so many amazing species of shore birds, raptors, and other birds that make their homes around Choctawhatchee Bay. One of the most common year-round residents is the great blue heron. This photo was taken at Veterans Park on Okaloosa Island where the herons have a colony because of its easy access to the bay and the Gulf of Mexico. This shot was taken with a telephoto lens, a must-have for wildlife photography to keep a respectable and safe distance from the critters. ‘Do not disturb’ is a great motto for wildlife photographers.”
—David Bailey