We will accept photos for the 2nd Annual Crane Photo Contest

Nov. 23rd – Dec. 18th

Vote for your favorite Dec. 28th – Jan. 14th, 2027

Winners awarded January 15, 2027

Photos on display at DPL until January 30, 2027

Crane Photography Contest Rules

2027 Festival of the Cranes

Submission guidelines

Photographs will be judged on originality, composition, technical skill, and impact.
All photos must be mounted and be 8×10 inches in size. No frames.
Photos should show at least one crane, sandhill or whooping, and should have been taken in North Alabama.
Photos should be your own original work. No copyright infringement.
No signatures, logos, or other identifying marks on the face of the print.
Keep photos as original as possible, no heavy digital manipulation.*Acceptable alterations are adjustments to color, contrast, brightness and sharpness, removal of dust and scratches, cropping, black and white conversions, use of HDR, etc. *Not acceptable are using AI, photo composites, [combining 2 or more photos], deleting or moving objects, or using filters such as watercolor, neon glow, posterizing, and others that do not show the scene in its natural way; in other words, keep it as close to what comes out of the camera as possible.
By entering the contest, entrants agree that photos submitted will still owned by the creator but can be used by Decatur Public Library for advertising and promotional purposes. The print will not be returned, but the copyright belongs to the photographer.
By entering, participants warrant that entries are original, do not infringe on any third party’s rights, and that no willful harassment of wildlife or damage to the environment was done by the photographer to obtain the image.
By entering, participants release and hold harmless Decatur Public Library and its appointees from any and all liability resulting in any way from obtaining and displaying the photographs.
Display space is limited so Decatur Public Library reserves the right to stop further entries at any time. Submit your entry early!
Photos must be submitted, in person, at the Library to the Marketing & Outreach Office, Monday – Friday only, between January 13th and February 6th. There are 3 age groups; 6-11, 12-17, and 18 & up. Minors must be accompanied by an adult. A form will be filled out by you and attached to the back of your entry, listing name, camera equipment used, and location (if known).
Decatur Public Library is not responsible for prints left after March 6th. Winning prints stay with the library for future use and are not returned.

About the Festival of the Cranes

The Wheeler Wildlife Refuge Association presents the Festival of the Cranes each year to celebrate the sandhill and whooping cranes who visit our area in the winter. Click on their logo above for a complete event schedule.

Located in Decatur, AL, the refuge attracts thousands of wintering waterfowl each year as well as manages and protects habitat for 12 federally endangered or threatened species. Click the logo above for details about the Refuge and to plan your visit.

Headquartered in Baraboo, Wisconsin, the International Crane Foundation works worldwide to conserve cranes and the ecosystems, watersheds, and flyways on which they depend. They participate in the Festival each year to offer educational programming. Their mascot, Hope, is a frequent visitor as well! Click their logo above to learn more about their vital work.