The Maryland Ornithological Society announces a new contest for habitat photos for the second MD/DC Breeding Bird Atlas.  Contest rules and possible habitat types are set out below.  The submission rules and process are similar to that of the Photo Contest for MD/DC birds for the Atlas.  This information is also available on the MOS website at MDbirds.org
HABITAT PHOTOS FOR THE SECOND MD/DC BREEDING BIRD ATLAS
 
Color habitat photos are solicited for the Second MD/DC atlas.  These photos will be used in a Habitat Gallery in the introduction to the book and possibly for various species accounts if space permits.  Each photo used will have a credit line with name of photographer and locality.  
 
In order to emphasize the diversity of habitats in Maryland, we suggest photos including, but not limited to:  
 
Wetlands:       Saltmarsh           Wild rice             Cattail pond             Pocomoke Swamp
Grasslands:      Pasture               Hayfield              Golf course                       Cornfield
Shrublands:    Bog            Managed powerline     Regenerating clearcut       Hedgerow
Forest:              Loblolly Pine     Mature hemlock  Northern Hardwoods        Oak/Beech
Shoreline:         Open beach        Dunes
 
From a species point of view, samples of typical habitats include:
Mature hemlock forest:  Blackburnian Warbler, Blue-headed Vireo
Spruce bog with rhododendron:  Canada Warbler, Northern Waterthrush
Garrett County hayfield:  Bobolink, Vesper Sparrow
Reclaimed strip mine:  Henslow’s Sparrow 
Alfalfa field:  Dickcissel
Sand bank or gravel pit:  Bank Swallow colony, Belted Kingfisher
Cattail marsh:  Least Bittern, Marsh Wren
Sedge meadows with scattered shrubs:  Sedge Wren
Upland oak forest:  Worm-eating Warbler, Ovenbird
Virginia pine forest:  Whip-poor-will, Pine Warbler
Floodplain forest with ferns: Kentucky Warbler, American Redstart
Roadside shrubbery:  Indigo Bunting, White-eyed Vireo
Loblolly pine forest: Summer Tanager, Brown-headed Nuthatch
Spartina patens marsh:  Black Rail, Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow
Salt marsh with shrubs:  Seaside Sparrow, Willet
Open beach:  Piping Plover, Least Tern
 
Contest Rules:
Each contestant may enter only two photographs per specific habitat.  We are not defining the “expanse” required for the photograph.  Some habitats may be best depicted as a broad panorama while others require a narrower aspect.   Winners will be selected on the basis of technical execution and their potential for helping readers gain an appreciation of the various habitats in Maryland and D.C.  Photos must have been taken in Maryland or D.C.
  
Who is eligible? 
The contest is open to all Maryland and DC residents and to members of the Maryland Ornithological Society.  A panel of editors will choose the winners.  However, in the event there is a tie for any given photograph, preference will be given to a photographer who is a member of the Maryland Ornithological Society.  
 
When to submit? The deadline to submit is November 30, 2008.
 
Use of Images.  By entering a photograph in the contest you grant MOS and Johns Hopkins University Press (JHUP) the right to use and publish your photos in the Atlas without compensation.  You also grant MOS and JHUP the right to use and publish your legal name online and in print, or any other media, in connection with the contest and agree that any image submitted may be used by the MOS and JHUP for marketing and promotional purposes, including any media such as exhibitions, print and digital media directly related to the Atlas without compensation.  
 
How to submit.  While photographs may be initially submitted in a low resolution digital format, if the photo is chosen the winner, the photographer must be able to submit the photograph in high resolution digital format – 300 dpi JPEG format, no smaller than 5” x 7” - this is approximately 1500 x 2100 pixels in some software. 
 
All digital files should be submitted on one compact disc using the file naming protocol.  Please name the habitat files using the confidential photographer code (provided on request by e-mailing Bill Ellis), the county name or “DC,” the location, and the habitat pictured.  Use initial caps for each word and no spaces within each part, like this example:
 
000 Carroll PineyRunCountyPark  LakeEdgeShrubland.jpg
 
Send all entries to Karen Morley at the address below.  MOS will not return CDs.  All questions regarding the file naming protocol should be directed to Bill Ellis (billellis at (@) ellislist dot (.) com).  Address all other questions and entries to: Karen Morley, 
2719 N. Calvert St., Baltimore, MD 21218     410 235-4001.
 
 


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