FROM THE EDITOR

What a welcome burst of spring color—the cover shot of cheery grape hyacinths by Brook Collins, photographer for the Chicago Park District. The angle she chose adds drama and curiosity to the shot, and that's why it was chosen for the cover. We get a view of this relatively tiny flower that a creature the size of a small insect can enjoy.

Gardens are in bloom all across the state of Illinois, and shutterbugs are invited to capture scenic dramas in their own communities for the annual Illinois Parks & Recreation "Give Us Your Best Shot" photo contest. The four categories are nature, wildlife, recreation and sports.

Collins won first place honors in the sports category last year for another dramatic shot: Little League baseball coaches and players getting pumped-up for a game. To see her photograph and the other seven winners, go to www.ILparks.org/pubmagazine.htm.

Jamie Johannsen, director of marketing and community relations for the Winnebago County Forest Preserve District, won three awards in the contest. She considers photography her lifelong hobby and only gets to dedicate "three percent of (her) job" to photographing scenes from the district, which she uses in newsletters, on the Web and in displays.

"My approach is pretty much a grab-shot," says Johannsen.

"Some wildlife photographers have methods and they study the site and the light that day and what time they need to go there and get the shot. I'm a one-person department, so I tend to keep my camera loaded and handy and with me at all times. I don't know when I'm going to see a hawk or a path flower.

She uses a six-year-old Canon Rebel 35mm and says the agency's "going digital" soon, so she'll have to learn to use a digital camera and keep two cameras on-hand.

"Our industry is one continuous photo opp," says Johannsen.

Take her advice and keep your camera handy this spring, summer and fall. Grab some shots and give us your best by October 15. For contest guidelines go to www.ILparks.org/pubmag_photocontestrules.htm or call me at 217.523.4554.

ANN M. LONDRIGAN
Editor

4 | Illinois Parks and Recreation