Local shutterbugs commemorated the wonders of Delta's waterways as part of the city's 17th annual Earth Day Photo Contest.
This year’s theme, "Streams to Shores," encouraged participants to explore and celebrate the vital connections between people and aquatic ecosystems, according to a city press release.
"Streams and shores are dynamic, interconnected, and biodiverse natural areas," the release states. "Delta is home to many incredible and unique waterways, from Chillukthan Slough to Cougar Creek, Boundary Bay and the Fraser River. Streams and shores are vital in providing flood control, water for irrigation, and habitat for endangered species."
The contest opened Feb. 10 and closed April 1, giving Delta residents ages 5 and older just over seven weeks to submit one original, unaltered photograph that captured "the essence of Delta's streams and shores."
In all, 116 entries were received for this year's contest. Prizes were awarded to the best photos in each of three age categories — Adult (18+ years), Youth (13-17 years) and Child (5-12 years) — and an overall Grand Prize winner selected from among all eligible entries.
As well, the public voted for a "Fan Favourite" April 4-13 at letstalk.delta.ca/earthdaycontest.
Ten winners of the 2025 Earth Day Photo Contest were honoured at Monday afternoon's regular meeting of council.
In the Child category, Egor Sergeyenko won first place with “Water is Life,” featuring sandhill cranes at the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary on Westhoam Island. “A Breath of Fresh Air” by Amari Grewal was awarded second with it's depiction of a creek flowing through an evergreen forest.
Griffin Hood took first place in the Youth category for “Nature's Mirror,” depicting trees reflected in a pond. “Happy Days” by Sophia Batista, showing a stream meandering through a pastoral setting on its way to Boundary Bay, won second, while “The Streams of Dreams” by Dzvinka Petriv, an overhead shot of connecting streams and creeks, was awarded third.
Karoline Cullen's photo “Boundary Bay Blues,” showing ducks and other shorebirds along a stretch of water in an intertidal marsh, won first place in the Adult category. “The End of a Beautiful Day” by Anne Kirkland, depicting a sunset over one of Delta's many sloughs, took second, while “Streams Earth's Lifelines” by Ditty Kakkassery, with its serene scene of what appears to be Lower Cougar Creek, was awarded third.
This year's Grand Prize went to Robert Sieben for “Sandhill Crane Family, Reifel Bird Sanctuary,” showing a pair of resident adult cranes and two colts atop a tiny island in the sanctuary's wetlands.
The Fan Favourite award went to “Chill Day in Winter“ by Hokid Zhao, depicting a frosty sunset over Boundary Bay.
Last year, nearly 200 people submitted photos focusing on the city's natural areas, including the Delta Nature Reserve, Fraser River, Boundary Bay, South Arm Marshes, Reifel Bird Sanctuary and Deas Island Regional Park.
Winning entries from the last five years can be viewed at letstalk.delta.ca/earthdaycontest.
