The grand prize winning shot by Andzej Sienko/Yankee Freedom III

A grand prize winner has been chosen for The Dry Tortugas #Photo Contest.

February 29, 2016, marked culmination of a year-long photography contest that was created to celebrate the Centennial of America’s National Park System. Participants had to take a photograph of Dry Tortugas National Park and share it with #DryTortugas on Twitter or Instagram.

Andzej Sienko’s photograph was selected as the Grand Prize winner, and a second-place and third-place winner were also chosen. Sienko was awarded a $500 Visa gift card and a National Parks Annual Pass that gives him free entry into any national park across America. Second-place winner Adrian Henson and third-place winner Jody Hildreth each won a National Parks Annual Pass.

The #Photo Contest was developed by Yankee Freedom III, the official ferry to the Dry Tortugas, in cooperation with the National Park Service to honor the Centennial of American’s National Parks as well as to encourage people to explore national parks around the country. Contestants were encouraged to showcase the unique natural and man-made beauty to be found in the Dry Tortugas.

Mr. Sienko captured that juxtaposition in his photo showing one of Fort Jefferson’s bastions, the fort’s moat, and the sea beyond. “The view from the top of the fort was breathtaking,” he said. “I was mesmerized by the connection of the colors of the sky, the water and the fort.”

Each month, five photos were chosen by a panel of judges and then displayed online for a public vote to choose the monthly favorite. Monthly winners were awarded a National Park Annual Pass and entrance for the grand prize of a $500 Visa Gift Card. Twelve semi-finalist photos were then gallery-quality framed to be displayed at the National Park Centennial Celebration, which will take place on August 25, 2016, when America’s National Park Service turns 100.

Voting took place on the official website of the Dry Tortugas and on their Facebook page. Contestants shared their photos on social media sites and encouraged fans to vote for their photo to help them win. Overall, there were 11,746 photos entered and a total of 74,774 votes cast. To see the winning photographs, visit www.drytortugas.com.

About the Dry Tortugas

Dry Tortugas National Park is a tiny cluster of secluded islands located 70 miles west of Key West, Florida. There, visitors can participate in an array of unforgettable experiences including snorkeling, camping, fishing, swimming, sunning on a pristine beach and exploring an historic Civil War Fort. A top spot for bird watchers, the Dry Tortugas is a layover for many migrating birds that travel between South America and the United States and is an important part of the Great Florida Birding Trail. Yankee Freedom III is the official ferry to the Dry Tortugas, departing from Key West, the state-of-the-art, luxury catamaran provides daily trips as well as transportation for overnight camping. To find out more about the Yankee Freedom and plan your trip to the Dry Tortugas visit www.drytortugas.com or call 305-294-7009.