'Frog On A Log' Photo Wins Monthly Forest Preserve Contest

CRETE, IL — A Crete man's photo titled "frog on a log" is the winner of the Forest Preserve District of Will County's "Preserve the Moment" photo contest for May. For snapping the winning photo, Byron Morgan has won a $75 gift card from the forest preserve and will be entered in to the yearly contest for a chance to win as much as $500 worth of gift cards.

Morgan's photo features "vivid brown and green tones and the frog's perfect reflection in the water" at the Thorn Creek Woods Nature Preserve near Park Forest, according to a news release from the forest preserve.

The photo was also taken on Morgan's son's birthday.

"I wanted to get an early start taking photos and be back in time to make the day about him," Morgan said. "There are a lot of critters out early and the sunlight is special in the mornings. I kinda snuck up on the pond to maybe see a duck before it saw me. This frog was the closest of the two sitting on logs near me. I was able to take several shots with some different angles and camera settings without spooking him away."

Morgan said his parents encouraged his interest in photography and nature at a young age.

"In the last 50 some years, I have enjoyed both, but in the last three years I have focused on combining the two,” he said in an email after being notified of his win.

“Friends and family have helped me find the wonderful nature preserves and trails in Will County. Since I bought my Canon Rebel T5 I have taken a lot of pictures while enjoying a walk in the woods. Something I really enjoy doing.”

Monthly winners of the contest will be selected until December, and in January public voting via Facebook will be open to determine the winners of a $500 gift certificate for first place, $250 gift certificate for second place and $150 gift certificate for third place.