Kindergarten teacher gets A+ for contest-winning bumblebee photo

A Romeoville kindergarten teacher won July’s portion of the Preserve the Moment photo contest with a close-up shot of a bumblebee coated in pollen. 

Nancy "Gaby" Valladolid photographed the two-spotted bumblebee as it inadvertently spread pollen while sipping nectar from an anise hyssop plant at Isle a la Cache preserve in Romeoville.

“I picked this photo because it's a close-up of one of nature's tiniest creatures doing one of its most important jobs,” one contest judge said. “Seeing the bee covered in pollen is amazing. Even better, it's visiting a native plant, making it a perfect example of how native plants and native pollinators support each other. A win-win!”

Valladolid said she loves photographing bees, even though they are not always easy subjects.

“Sometimes I follow a bee for quite some time and it’s cool to see the different interactions with each flower,” she said.

The photo was taken with a Nikon 105mm macro lens that Valladolid previously used for jewelry photography.

“Even though it’s a macro lens, I still get very close, it makes me feel part of their world, like I’m their guest,” she said.

Valladolid said taking nature photos forces a person to slow down.

“We get caught up with our daily lives and routines,” she said. “Taking a moment out of my week to appreciate our pollinators is really special. It brings a smile to my face and so much joy to my heart. I take photos of nature because once in a while I get to share that joy with others, too.”

Nature photography can be both joyful and educational, she added.

“I worked hard to capture this photo, but not as hard as these bees,” she said. “They are so valuable and precious. Now my 4-year-old son is learning how valuable honeybees and bumblebees are to our planet.”

Honorable mentions went to:

• Amy Miller of Joliet for a moody shot of the sun at Rock Run Preserve in Joliet.
• Mark Hanna of Romeoville for a photo of a 13-lined ground squirrel munching on dandelions at Prairie Bluff Preserve in Crest Hill.
• Joe Viola of Shorewood for a picture of fawns nursing at Rock Run Preserve.

Contest continues

The Preserve the Moment photo contest continues through Dec. 31. Monthly winners receive a $75 gift card. Overall winners will receive Mastercard gift cards worth $500 for first place, $250 for second place and $150 for third place. The contest is made possible through the support of The Nature Foundation of Will County.

Participants are encouraged to read the rules  before entering. Up to five photos may be submitted per month through the District’s contest upload page. All photos must be taken at a Forest Preserve District of Will County location.