Batesville native in running for wildlife photography contest

Contest ends on July 31

(BATESVILLE, Ind.) – A Batesville native who is a wildlife photographer has been nominated for a prestigious award. 

Gavin Koester has a photo that is one of 20 selected for the BigPicture Nature World Photography Competition by the California Academy of Sciences. 

Koester’s photo called ‘Cicada Awakening’ was taken in Colorado and shows yellow mushrooms at the base of a tree that is surrounded by cicadas. 

“Despite their massive numbers, the cicadas seamlessly integrate with their environment, almost blending with the landscape in unexpected ways. A reminder of the complexity and interconnectedness of nature,” Koester wrote. 

In order to win, the public has to vote on their favorite wildlife photograph. 

The photographer who wins will receive $300 and have their image featured both online as well as at the California Academy of Sciences. 

The deadline to vote is July 31 and you can vote by clicking here.

Koester is a 2018 Batesville High School graduate who we first met during the 2024 solar eclipse while he was assisting National Geographic photographer Keith Ladzinski.

Here is Gavin's 'Cicada Awakening' photo and you can vote by clicking the above link: