FLORIDA PHOTO CONTEST WINNERS

For three months, we put out a prompt and asked Palm Beach Area Mensa Gifted Youth members to show us Florida through their lens. Below are all the amazing submissions we received!

Fan Favorite

Not every great photo wins its month — but some are too good to let go unrecognized!

THE FAN FAVORITE...

Emma K. (7)

Emma K.'s photo of a Roseate Spoonbill wading at the water's edge — spotted right in her own backyard — captured something truly special. Graceful, vibrant, and unmistakably Florida, this image stood out among all submissions across the entire contest.

We're proud to recognize Emma K., age 7, as our Fan Favorite of the Spring 2026 Florida Photo Contest.

April

"Say you live in Florida without saying you live in Florida."

THE WINNER...

Deen C. (13)

A canal-side warning sign at golden hour — because only in Florida does "watch your step" mean something completely different.

THE RUNNER UPS...

Sophia F. (9) A flamingo cup and flip flops on a striped beach towel, with the Atlantic stretching out behind them. Taken at John D. MacArthur Beach State Park, April 25, 2026.	Cayla (12) Observe the radiant glow of the horizon in this sunset, documented during my travels to Manasota Key. This photograph captures the precise moment of twilight as the sun dips below the Gulf of Mexico, viewed from the elevated perspective of a coastal boardwalk. What makes this destination truly remarkable is its unique geology; the shoreline is an abundant source of fossilized shark teeth, allowing for fascinating discoveries during an ordinary walk along the beach.	Lucian M. (6) A shady boardwalk trail through the trees at Green Cay Wetlands Nature Center.
Elizabeth A. (9) Three varieties of phalaenopsis orchids — orange, purple, and yellow — nestled against a cascade of Spanish moss.	Lucian M. (6) Zero hesitation. A Florida boa makes a surprise appearance at an Earth Day event — and Lucian is absolutely here for it.	Ilyana C. (10) Even the CVS souvenir rack knows Palm Beach has history worth flipping through.
Elizabeth A. (9) A Bleeding Heart Vine (Clerodendrum thomsoniae) in full bloom, its delicate pink flowers catching the Florida sun.	Ilyana C. (10) Florida from above, somewhere between takeoff and the stars — city lights glittering through the clouds below the wing.	Elizabeth A. (9) Vibrant red bougainvillea against a brilliant blue Florida sky.
Ilyana C. (10) Sea turtle magnets, colorful "Florida" lettering, and Ft. Lauderdale dolphins — the gift shop at FLL airport.	Eleanor K. (7) A tree full of mangoes slowly ripening in the South Florida heat — June can't come soon enough. South Florida.	Sophia F. (9) A teal Adirondack chair in the foreground, sea oats bending in the breeze, and Floridians doing what Floridians do — hitting the beach even under a cloudy sky. Vero Beach, April 23, 2026.
Eleanor K. (7) A mango ripening in the South Florida sunshine — almost ready, but not quite. The Mango Tree, South Florida.	Lucian M. (6) Up close with the water hyacinth blooms at Green Cay Wetlands Nature Center.	Lucian M. (6) The full stretch of Green Cay Wetlands boardwalk, with water hyacinth as far as the eye can see and a perfectly Florida sky overhead.

May

"Florida is WILD."

THE WINNER...

Yuvan S. (8)

A great egret hitches a ride on a very patient alligator in true Florida fashion.

THE RUNNER UPS...

Isla W. (18) "Jay Jay" A rescued blue jay decides that Isla's shoulder is the perfect perch at Busch Wildlife Sanctuary. We can't say we blame him — she's got great taste in wildlife too. (Submitted as a special contribution and not eligible for contest consideration.)	Emma K. (7) A roseate spoonbill — one of Florida's most stunning (and most misidentified) birds — wades through a backyard pond like it owns the place. Emma's three-year-old brother remains unconvinced it isn't a flamingo, and honestly? We get it.	Isla W. (18) "Cypress" This white-tailed buck has a condition called cactus buck, which gives his antlers that distinctive bumpy look. He has no concept of personal space, and we are completely okay with that. (Submitted as a special contribution and not eligible for contest consideration.)
Yuvan S. (8) "Crossing the Tropics" Zebras might not be native to Florida, but apparently nobody told them that. Only here could you spot a dazzle of zebras against a backdrop of palm trees and perfect blue sky.	Sophia F. (9) Meet the marsh rabbit — a Florida native who shows up uninvited and absolutely does not care. Spotted on a Wellington patio surrounded by lush tropical ferns, this little guy is living his best life, rain and all.	Yuvan S. (8) "The Great Stretch (Yoga) in Florida Palms" When your palm trees aren't tall enough, you improvise. A giraffe finds the perfect snack among Florida's tropical greenery — proving that in this state, the wildlife always finds a way.
Ilyana C. (10) Just your average Fort Lauderdale Saturday: white sand, turquoise water, a tugboat, a parasailer, and an air show happening overhead.	Isla W. (18) "Charley" Not every Florida resident is actually from Florida. This cougar was rescued from California wildfires and now calls Busch Wildlife Sanctuary home. (Submitted as a special contribution and not eligible for contest consideration.)	Ilyana C. (10) The Thunderbirds streak across a perfect Florida blue sky over Fort Lauderdale Beach — trail mix for the eyes, with a side of beach umbrellas.
Eleanor K. (7) Up close and personal with a baby alligator at the Museum of Discovery and Science in Fort Lauderdale. That golden eye isn't missing a thing!

June

"It's HOT, we know!"

THE WINNER...

Fisher G. (15)

Pool day? Don't mind if I do! Fisher's pup is living her best Florida summer life!

THE RUNNER UPS...

Lucian M. (6) Mission accomplished! Lucian delivers his tiny passengers safely to the Blue Ridge Wildlife Center.	Lucian M. (6) Five baby bunnies rescued just hours after birth — Lucian and his family drove far to get them to a wildlife rehab center in time!	Isla W. (18) A Brown Basilisk hiding in the grass — too hot even for Florida's famous water-walking lizard. (Submitted as a special contribution and not eligible for contest consideration.)
Cayla (12) Even the raptors can't stand the intense Florida heat. (P.S. This may be why the raptors went extinct?!)	Isla W. (18) Rosy cheeks, big smile, theme park energy! (Submitted as a special contribution and not eligible for contest consideration.)	Isla W. (18) Spot that blue tail? That's how you know this Five-Lined Skink is a juvenile — and one of Florida's coolest backyard surprises. (Submitted as a special contribution and not eligible for contest consideration.)

FLORIDA PHOTO CONTEST WINNERS

Fan Favorite

April

Sophia F. (9)

A flamingo cup and flip flops on a striped beach towel, with the Atlantic stretching out behind them. Taken at John D. MacArthur Beach State Park, April 25, 2026.

Cayla (12)

Lucian M. (6)

A shady boardwalk trail through the trees at Green Cay Wetlands Nature Center.

Elizabeth A. (9)

Three varieties of phalaenopsis orchids — orange, purple, and yellow — nestled against a cascade of Spanish moss.

Lucian M. (6)

Zero hesitation. A Florida boa makes a surprise appearance at an Earth Day event — and Lucian is absolutely here for it.

Ilyana C. (10)

Even the CVS souvenir rack knows Palm Beach has history worth flipping through.

Elizabeth A. (9)

A Bleeding Heart Vine (Clerodendrum thomsoniae) in full bloom, its delicate pink flowers catching the Florida sun.

Ilyana C. (10)

Florida from above, somewhere between takeoff and the stars — city lights glittering through the clouds below the wing.

Elizabeth A. (9)

Vibrant red bougainvillea against a brilliant blue Florida sky.

Ilyana C. (10)

Sea turtle magnets, colorful "Florida" lettering, and Ft. Lauderdale dolphins — the gift shop at FLL airport.

Eleanor K. (7)

A tree full of mangoes slowly ripening in the South Florida heat — June can't come soon enough. South Florida.

Sophia F. (9)

A teal Adirondack chair in the foreground, sea oats bending in the breeze, and Floridians doing what Floridians do — hitting the beach even under a cloudy sky. Vero Beach, April 23, 2026.

Eleanor K. (7)

A mango ripening in the South Florida sunshine — almost ready, but not quite. The Mango Tree, South Florida.

Lucian M. (6)

Up close with the water hyacinth blooms at Green Cay Wetlands Nature Center.

Lucian M. (6)

The full stretch of Green Cay Wetlands boardwalk, with water hyacinth as far as the eye can see and a perfectly Florida sky overhead.

May

Isla W. (18)

"Jay Jay" A rescued blue jay decides that Isla's shoulder is the perfect perch at Busch Wildlife Sanctuary. We can't say we blame him — she's got great taste in wildlife too. (Submitted as a special contribution and not eligible for contest consideration.)

Emma K. (7)

A roseate spoonbill — one of Florida's most stunning (and most misidentified) birds — wades through a backyard pond like it owns the place. Emma's three-year-old brother remains unconvinced it isn't a flamingo, and honestly? We get it.

Isla W. (18)

"Cypress" This white-tailed buck has a condition called cactus buck, which gives his antlers that distinctive bumpy look. He has no concept of personal space, and we are completely okay with that. (Submitted as a special contribution and not eligible for contest consideration.)

Yuvan S. (8)

"Crossing the Tropics" Zebras might not be native to Florida, but apparently nobody told them that. Only here could you spot a dazzle of zebras against a backdrop of palm trees and perfect blue sky.

Sophia F. (9)

Meet the marsh rabbit — a Florida native who shows up uninvited and absolutely does not care. Spotted on a Wellington patio surrounded by lush tropical ferns, this little guy is living his best life, rain and all.

Yuvan S. (8)

"The Great Stretch (Yoga) in Florida Palms" When your palm trees aren't tall enough, you improvise. A giraffe finds the perfect snack among Florida's tropical greenery — proving that in this state, the wildlife always finds a way.

Ilyana C. (10)

Just your average Fort Lauderdale Saturday: white sand, turquoise water, a tugboat, a parasailer, and an air show happening overhead.

Isla W. (18)

"Charley" Not every Florida resident is actually from Florida. This cougar was rescued from California wildfires and now calls Busch Wildlife Sanctuary home. (Submitted as a special contribution and not eligible for contest consideration.)

Ilyana C. (10)

The Thunderbirds streak across a perfect Florida blue sky over Fort Lauderdale Beach — trail mix for the eyes, with a side of beach umbrellas.

Eleanor K. (7)

Up close and personal with a baby alligator at the Museum of Discovery and Science in Fort Lauderdale. That golden eye isn't missing a thing!

June

Lucian M. (6)

Mission accomplished! Lucian delivers his tiny passengers safely to the Blue Ridge Wildlife Center.

Lucian M. (6)

Five baby bunnies rescued just hours after birth — Lucian and his family drove far to get them to a wildlife rehab center in time!

Isla W. (18)

A Brown Basilisk hiding in the grass — too hot even for Florida's famous water-walking lizard. (Submitted as a special contribution and not eligible for contest consideration.)

Cayla (12)

Even the raptors can't stand the intense Florida heat. (P.S. This may be why the raptors went extinct?!)

Isla W. (18)

Rosy cheeks, big smile, theme park energy! (Submitted as a special contribution and not eligible for contest consideration.)

Isla W. (18)

Spot that blue tail? That's how you know this Five-Lined Skink is a juvenile — and one of Florida's coolest backyard surprises. (Submitted as a special contribution and not eligible for contest consideration.)