Enter your bird shot into the Beaufort County Calendars competition

The cover of the 2012 calendar features Stan Abrahamson's photograph "Stony Preserve".

Update: Check out the winners.

The annual Beaufort County Calendar produced by the county is gearing up for its 2013 edition and the application window for the photo contest is closing on September 4.

This year's theme is "Beaufort County Birds & Their Habitats", specifically pictures of birds and, or, selected habitat locations. 

Here are more details from a release:

Photos of birds may be taken anywhere within the physical boundaries of Beaufort County – from Port Royal's Cypress Wetlands to Hunting Island State Park, Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge or one's own backyard.

Photos of habitat locations (with or without birds) must be taken at one or more of the following Beaufort County Rural and Critical Land sites: Ihly Farm near MCAS in northern Beaufort County, the Trumps site on Factory Creek on Lady's Island, Crystal Lake on Lady's Island, The Green in Beaufort's Old Point, the Barringer tract and Ft. Fremont on St. Helena Island, the Buddy and Zoo Landing on Station Creek, Widgeon Point on Lemon Island, Altamaha Town Heritage Preserve, Okatie Preserve, New Riverside and Pinckney Colony in greater Bluffton, the Bluffton Oyster Company, Stoney Preserve and the Mitchellville Road Beach Parcel on Hilton Head Island.

Maps and directions to the selected sites may be found at the Beaufort County website. The information will be posted on one of the large graphic sliders on the home page.

Legal waivers are required for some sites because they are not yet open to the public and are still in their wild state. County leaders warn they could present a danger from snake bites, poisonous plants, unseen holes or stumps or other hazards. Those who enter these properties to take photos are advised to do so with a friend.

Up to 3 photos of any combination of birds and or sites may be entered in the contest. All photos must include the name of the photographer and the location of the shot on the back of the print. Both 8 x 10 prints and digital images are required. Images must be in jpeg format and at least 300 dpi. Photos will not be returned. They must be submitted on disc and mailed with prints and required forms to:

Beaufort County Photo Contest
Beaufort County Administrator
PO Drawer 1228
Beaufort, SC 29901-1228

For more information, call (843) 575-5196.

Look for the calendars cost around $15, with proceeds going towards the Beaufort County Rural and Critical Land Preservation Program which helps protect animal habitats, water quality, and the environment. They'll be fore sale online and in local stores.

The only prize is inclusion and credit on the calendar, and helping fundraise for land preservation.