A local resident and a popular nearby preserve were each recently recognized in the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District’s annual photo contest.
Mountain View resident Ksenia Kolosova was among the six winners, taking top honors in the People in Nature category for her photo of people hiking on a trail at Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve in Half Moon Bay.
A photo of a young bobcat at Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve, which borders Los Altos and Cupertino, won the Wildlife category; Shravan Sundaram of Martinez took the shot.
Sundaram said his winning photograph came unexpectedly while on a short evening walk at Rancho San Antonio with his father.
“I definitely didn’t expect to get that image or have such a good encounter that day, but that’s sometimes how wildlife photography goes,” he said. Sundaram spent 20-30 minutes observing the bobcat as it played, hunted and rested. Rather than simply photographing the animal, Sundaram said he tried to capture its behavior. “This photo shows more character and behavior,” he said. “I think this photo kind of captured a pause in its play.”
Sundaram added that he has been taking wildlife photos for about 15 years. His interest began as a child when he watched Cooper’s hawks nesting near his apartment. When he turned 11, he began taking photos with a basic camera.
While Sundaram’s photo captured wildlife found at Midpen’s most popular preserve, Kolosova’s image highlighted people enjoying nature while exercising. Kolosova could not be reached for comment but did provide a statement about her photo as part of the entry process. “The scene bridged the things I love most about our local open spaces: the majesty of nature and the joy of shared experience,” Kolosova wrote.
Kolosova also noted that photography provides a way to stay connected with family members living around the world. Her grandfather is a photographer, whom she looks up to, and the two connect by sharing their work.
Kolosova and Sundaram each received an REI gift card and a Midpen swag bag for placing first in their respective categories. Now in its 17th year, the photo contest received 125 entries, according to Midpen Public Affairs Specialist Ryan McCauley. All entries featured photos taken at one of Los Altos-based Midpen’s 27 preserves in the Bay Area. Winners were announced Sept. 3.
According to Midpen public affairs administrative assistant Gabi Navarrete, who organized the contest, the annual event gives people an opportunity to experience familiar preserves through another’s perspective. “It’s a chance to see our preserves from such unique perspectives,” Navarrete said. “With each submission, I notice something brand new about our preserves.”
McCauley said the contest helps introduce people to nature and accessible open spaces around them. “The more that we can capture them and display that beauty and show others and use that to sort of inspire folks, teach them about the open space and nature that’s in their backyard, the better,” McCauley said.
To view all of the winning photos, see tinyurl.com/MidPenPhotos.
