Wow! Midpeninsula Regional Parks District Photo Contest Winners from Stanford and Cupertino

It's amazing what you can do when inspired—and when those moments come when we are going about our every day routines.

The Los Altos-based Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District announced the winners of its Third Annual Digital Photo Contest. Some of the winners came upon the inspiration for their images while on a regular walk.

"It makes me happy to create something that others can enjoy," said Vaibhav Tripathi of Stanford, the grand prize winner.

Tripathi won for his image of wildflowers at Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve.  He told the open space district he was struck by the beauty of wildflowers waving in the breeze while he hiking on a windy day. He had to wait until the ideal moment when the sun hovered on the horizon because the lighting is so difficult shooting directly into the sun.

Ichiro "Mike" Asao of Cupertino took second place with an image he took while on his regular morning walk at Windy Hill Open Space Preserve. The image of light filtering through an oak tree was one that the avid photographer for over twenty years, recognized as singular. Asao has a photography book entitled Healing and is currently working on a second book. 

Bing Huey of San Francisco placed third with a close-up shot of a banana slug on a twig at Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve.

Karl Gohl, from Los Altos was a finalist, for his shot "Clouds Above Shiny Dry Grass" at Monte Bello Open Space Park. His and other finalists' work can also be seen on the park district's website.

The winners will have their entries published in the District’s summer newsletter and each wins a whale watching tour and a Flip UltraHD camcorder.

If this whets your appetite, the district has another contest for teens. The District is also currently holding a Teen Video Challenge, inviting local ninth through twelfth grade students to submit videos they created on District preserves for a chance to win prizes.

A full list of the winners and finalists, along and their photographs is at the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District's website.