51. Maureen ( Moe) Paccione, Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

I have several pieces that I would like to submit, but I think that this is my favorite. I am an artist, an impressionist/realist that dabbles in multi-media subjects. Most recently I have been creating pieces on large pieces of birch bark. These pieces are hand painted from photos, then mounted and framed in custom shadowbox frames. I find that the wildlife that I create, is enhanced by the natural beauty of the birch bark. I would like to mention, that the pieces of bark that I use, are from downed trees; no tree was harmed in my creative works. I love to paint birds in particular and the beautiful swan is one of my favorites. This piece is rather large and measures; 33" by 36" framed;

52. Jennifer Rowe, Brevard, North Carolina

Attached is a photo of a fledgling American Robin that I encountered a couple of springs ago; when I read about your contest I thought of him
immediately. A coworker and I found him camped out beside the swinging
door of an outdoor restroom, a place that I'm sure seemed very sheltered
and secure to him, but a spot that would eventually get him squished. We
very carefully herded him around the side of the building and onto some
safer (no bathroom traffic!) grass where he hopped up onto a bit of chain
link fence. I think you can see by his little face, fiercely glaring
back at us the entire time, why he left such an impression on me. I
loved his bravery (he was not in the least afraid of we "giants") and his
sheer toddler grumpiness at being moved. He made me wonder and he made me laugh. 

53.  Joyce Riopelle,Troy, Michigan

Last spring I watched as these birds were born.  Waiting patiently and watching daily I finally witnessed these two birds as they stared life.  They began squawking as humans approached; carefully I was able to capture them.  All the squawking was very tiresome to the one baby bird who just couldn’t continue to make another peep!

54. Mark Behme, Silver Spring, Maryland

   Corvids have been a part of my imagery since Mary Ann and I first befriended an injured crow in 1990.  We became aware of her on one of our dog-walks near our home.  This crow’s extended family remained nearby to console and to comfort her.  She was hungry and thirsty and could not fly as her wing seemed to be injured.  We started to bring her food and water daily.  Food was peanuts, dog kibble, scrambled eggs and some canned food as well.

   She soon knew us and that we were helping her.  As we approached to tree where she stayed safe, we could see her become excited and she would hop down via a bush close to the tree, to where we fed her.  This went on for weeks.

    Then one day she wasn’t there. We didn’t see her for quite some time until, on a dog-walk, this crow called excitedly and swooped erratically at us.  She was well again.  She followed us home and lived thereafter in a large tree within sight of our house.

    We continued to feed her in our yard.  She learned to call for us inside the house by perching of the side-porch roof, looking for us through the kitchen window and cawing for us to give her something.  She raised two generations of offspring and taught them to stay and eat here too.  We watched those young crows grow up.

    Meanwhile, I had befriended another group of crows where I worked during this time. They knew my car and would follow me when driving in the mornings and out in the afternoons.  They flew level with my car windows and cawed excitedly.  I know it must have been a spectacle to behold.  Whenever I walked, these crows would also follow me, hopping from phone-pole or tree-limb calling the whole time to drop more peanuts. I carried peanuts in my pockets at all times.

    All of this ended when the arrival of the West Nile virus killed off the majority of the crow population, including our own group.  The crows at work also stopped following me around when their numbers declined as well.

    Early on in this whole experience I adopted the crow as a recurring element in my work.  I read extensively about these birds; their behavior, myths, and variations to expand my knowledge about all things corvid.  I used these birds as design motifs and as metaphor when my work turned to more surrealistic themes.  I never wanted to show the crow as some omen of evil or darkness, but as a symbol for my own poetic messages.

55. William N. Moseley, Fairfax, Iowa

This picture of a cardinal was taken in my front yard.  I started taking pictures of the birds on the 3 bird feeders.   My dream picture would have been with my cat starring at the birds on the feeder (impossible shot) - but I liked the detail on this shot so and hope you do as well !!  Thanks for the opportunity, glad I found your article in the newspaper!

PS My neighbor pointed out that it's a bit weird that the number of bird feeders is the same number of cats I own.

56.   Patrice Tullai, Southworth, Washington

 57. Hayley Atkins, Greensboro, North Carolina

I entered this contest because I love photography.  I live on a lake so I enjoy birds every day.  So when my science teacher told me about this contest I was eager to join.

58. Kyle Palmer, Williston, Vermont

Pet African geese Ouday and Noogman. The birds love the water all year round.

59. Kelsey Smith, Sebastian, Florida

This is our horse Bird "Angel".  She comes to the pasture everyday to eat with our horses.  She follows them all day and even runs with them in the field.  They are all great friends!"

60. Sarah Grace Allen, age 8,  Bluff City, Tennessee

My drawing was inspired by looking out my window at birds.  I love looking at all the beautiful colors of the different backyard birds.   My drawing shows someone moving into a house in the city.  It is a cold day and it is snowing outside.