News Release

Obed Wild & Scenic River Announces 2024 Photo Contest Winners

Packraft Obed

NPS/ Jett Brandon

News Release Date: August 27, 2024

Contact: Daniel Banks, 423-286-7275

WARTBURG, Tennessee: The National Park Service (NPS) announces the winners of the 2024 Obed Wild and Scenic River photo contest. Photographers were invited to submit striking digital images highlighting the spectacular views, dark night skies, recreational opportunities, and diversity of life in the park. Entries to the contest were judged by members of the Southern Appalachian Nature Photographers.

The winners of this year’s contest were:

First Place, Recreation Category: “A Long Way Up” by Patrick Caveny of Knoxville, Tennessee.

First Place, Dark Skies Category: “Magnificent Milky Way Over Nemo Bridge” by Nawras Baban of Knoxville, Tennessee.

First Place, Flora and Fauna Category: “Foam Flower” by Peggy Yaeger of Corbin, Kentucky.

First Place, Landscapes: “Rocky Divide” by Jason Tucker of Knoxville, Tennessee.

Runners up in the contest included “Packraft Obed” by Brandon Jett of Lexington, Kentucky; “Autumn in the Gorge” by Jason Tucker of Knoxville, Tennessee; “Nemo at Night by Kelli Thompson of Oak Ridge, Tennessee; and “Northern Parula Morning Songs” by Nawras Baban of Knoxville, Tennessee.

Photographers are encouraged to grab their cameras and visit the Obed Wild and Scenic River. The park will be announcing its 2025 photo contest soon. For more information on Obed Wild and Scenic River, please call [phone], or visit online at www.nps.gov/obed.