Arizona Wildlife Photo Contest

Photo contest winners showcase the diversity of Arizona’s wildlife

Winners of the 18th annual wildlife photo contest are featured in Arizona Wildlife Views’ 2025 calendar.

Did you know there are more than 110 reptiles native to Arizona? This includes an amazing diversity of 49 species of lizards like the desert spiny lizard. This photo by Randi Najac won best in show!

The Arizona Game and Fish Department is excited to announce the winners of its annual wildlife photo contest. 

The 12 winning photographs are included in the full-size 2025 wildlife calendar that is published in the November-December 2024 issue of Arizona Wildlife Views magazine. Subscriptions ordered through Dec. 31, 2024, will receive the calendar issue, while supplies last, and also get free issue(s) added to the order. The calendar also will be sold at all Arizona Game and Fish offices for $3 starting in mid-November.

Randi Najac’s photo of a desert spiny lizard was awarded best in show and is showcased on both the cover and in the calendar. 

The 12 winning photographers are:

• Dennis A. Boyd, Tucson: Western tanager
• Mike Henry, Tucson: Crested caracaras
• Marti Huzarski, Chino Valley: American pronghorn
• Anne James, Payson: Abert’s squirrel
• Jackie Klieger, Sedona: Wood duck
• Lisa Manifold, Gold Canyon: White-nosed coatis
• Randi Najac, Chandler: Desert spiny lizard
• Kathy Ritter, Happy Jack: Long-tailed weasel
• David Swanson, Prescott: Bald eagle
• David C. Vincent, Tucson: Western diamondback rattlesnake
• Sean Wickenheisser, Lake Havasu City: Desert bighorn sheep
• Lisa C. Wood, Tucson: Elk

Given the strength and diversity of this year’s more than 800 entries, the judges singled out 20 images from talented photographers for honorable mention. These photos also are featured in the calendar issue:

• Misty Briggs, Surprise: Western screech owl
• Jenny L. Clark, Fountain Hills: Chiricahua leopard frog
• Randy Dean, Gilbert: Mule deer
• Bill Ferris, Flagstaff: Bull elk with mule deer
• Cheryl Gross, Sun City West: White-nosed coati
• Jane Hale, Hereford: Gould’s turkey
• Christopher M. Hall, Mesa: Mule deer
• Prestley Howard, Vail: Myotis
• Don Irwin, Fountain Hills: Back-tailed jackrabbit
• Peggy Kniffin, Chandler: Black-necked stilt
• Mike Krock, Prescott: Canyon treefrog
• Leslie Leathers, Tucson: Great-tailed grackles
• Gene Lewis, Phoenix: Anna’s hummingbird
• Melody Mellinger, Myerstown, Pa: Gambel’s quail
• Mandy Montooth, Flagstaff: Greater short-horned lizard
• Paul Reap, San Tan Valley: Razorback sucker
• David C. Ring, Tucson: Gila woodpecker
• Boyd Robinson, Mesa: Great horned owl
• George Valladares, Phoenix: Ringtail
• Ken Wilcox, Tucson: Costa’s hummingbird 

Thank you to everyone who submitted photographs, and thank you to Arizona Highways for its partnership in hosting the photo contest.

View the list of past wildlife photo contest winners.

Subscribe today to bring Arizona’s wildlife and wild places into your home! View the Official Rules. Entrants are responsible for complying with the Official Rules or may result in disqualification. This contest is for images of Arizona wildlife. All photos must depict wildlife native to and found in Arizona, and all photos must have been taken in Arizona settings.