26th Annual Photo Contest Judge

26th Annual Photo Contest Judge

Karen Willes

Karen Willes is a retired musician who, since retirement, enjoys spending time photographing wildlife. Her dynamic images have been notably published by The Nature Conservancy, Florida Wildlife Federation, St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, Operation Migration, International Crane Foundation, Audubon magazine, Camp Denali and The MILEPOST. She has aided Operation Migration and International Crane Foundation in their scientific documentation of Whooping cranes.  

Whooping cranes  Canon EOS 5D Mark III, Canon EF 600 Lens

Residing in Tallahassee, Florida, Karen volunteers with St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge and is a member of the Friends of St. Marks Wildlife Refuge Board of Directors. Numerous images of hers have been made into note cards to benefit the Florida Wildlife Federation and St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge.

Ruby-throated hummingbird

Canon EOS 7D Mark II, Sigma 150-600 Contemporary Lens

Vermilion flycatcher

Canon EOS R, Sigma 150-600 Contemporary Lens with Canon EOS R Control Ring Adapter

 Karen’s photographic documentation of banded Roseate spoonbills at St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park since 2010 has greatly benefited Audubon of Florida’s conservation program with the species. 

banded Roseate spoonbill family

Canon EOS 7D Mark II, Sigma 150-600 Contemporary Lens

In addition to traditional DSLR, her photography equipment also includes smartphones and spotting scopes for digiscoping.

Barred owl juvenile. iPhone 6S Plus, Swarovski STX 95 Spotting Scope, Phone Skope Adapter (published in Audubon magazine)

We look forward to what Karen will bring to our photo contest this year!