Alabama State Parks Scenics or people taking part in recreational activities at any of Alabama’s 22 State Parks. A list of eligible parks is available at the Alabama's State Parks Website. When entering this category, the name of the State Park must be included in the description. Note: Tannehill Ironworks and Historic Blakely state parks are not part of ADCNR’s State Parks system.

Birds Native or migratory songbirds, hummingbirds, game birds and raptors.

Bugs and Butterflies Bugs, insects and arthropods. Examples include bees, butterflies, centipedes, dragonflies and spiders.

Cold-blooded Critters Turtles, frogs, snakes, lizards, salamanders, crayfish and fish.

Nature-Based Recreation Photos of people enjoying outdoors recreation. Examples include hunting, fishing, shooting sports, boating, paddling, hiking, camping, mountain biking, rock climbing and surfing. Hunting and fishing photos are highly encouraged. Note: No organized sports.

Scenic Waterfalls, mountain and canyon vistas, beach and coastal scenery, landscapes, swamps and bayous, wetlands, sunrises and sunsets, and nighttime photos such as astrophotography are included in this category. The photos may include people, but the scenery must be the prominent feature.

Shoots and Roots Wildflowers, foliage, fungi, fruiting bodies, and other parts of plants or trees can be entered in this category. Native flora and fungi are highly encouraged.

Sweet Home Alabama Photos in which natural or manmade landmarks or other inanimate objects are prominent. Photos of regional festivals throughout the state may also be entered in this category. Examples include Birmingham’s Vulcan statue, Alabama’s Natural Bridge, city skylines, the U.S. Space and Rocket Center’s Saturn V, and the National Peanut Festival.

Wildlife Mammals such as deer, squirrels, black bear, bats, otters, foxes and almost anything else with fur. Note: No pets or livestock.

Young Photographers This category is reserved for photographers ages 17 and younger. The subject matter can be any of the categories above. Cellphone photos will be accepted in this category. Ages 18 and up must enter any of the other categories.