Join us as we unveil the winning photographs that best capture Cape Coral’s official city bird—the charismatic Burrowing Owl. This annual contest showcases the talents of amateur photographers and celebrates the city’s commitment to wildlife conservation. The Grand Prize-winning photo will be featured on the official T-shirt for the 2026 Burrowing Owl Festival! This year, the contest drew an impressive 180 entries, reflecting the community’s deep appreciation for local wildlife and creative expression.
WFTX Community Correspondent Bella Line will emcee the event and help present awards alongside Dawn Andrews from the City’s Real Estate Department.
Awards will be presented in two categories:
• Youth (ages 7–17)
• Adult (18 and up)
This year’s winners were selected by a panel of distinguished judges including Michael Ilczyszyn, Cape Coral City Manager, Rob Duns, NBC-2 Meteorologist, and Darlayne Coughlin, 2024 Grand Prize Winner.
The 2025 contest was proudly sponsored by Ascendium Education Group.