![\"Ann](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/yubanet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Ann-Westling_Mongolian-Practice-Competition_Grabbing-a-Riding-Crop-Off-the-Ground.jpg?ssl=1\")
<\/a>Mongolian Practice Competition Grabbing a Riding Crop Off the Ground by Ann Westling<\/p>\n\u201cI am deeply honored to receive this award. Traveling to Mongolia this past summer with a photography tour gave me an opportunity to experience some of the rich cultural traditions of Mongolian life,\u201d stated Westling. \u201cWe were treated to Mongolian throat singing, horsemanship and Kazakh eagle hunting competitions, and local tea ceremonies. The Kazakh falconers use golden eagles to hunt for foxes and rabbits during the winter to make their coats and hats, critical for survival in subzero Mongolian winters. They were incredibly hospitable and welcoming.\u00a0\u00a0 I gained tremendous respect for these hardy and kind people: their sense of humor, love of family, and amazingly harsh conditions in which they live,\u201d continued Westling.<\/p>\n
Also, on Saturday night, the winners of the club\u2019s sixteen photo categories were announced.\u00a0 These awards included the favorites for:<\/p>\n
Assigned Subject \u2013 \u201cFeathers In Freefall\u201d by Ann Westling<\/p>\n
Abstract \u2013 \u201cTriangulation\u201d by Hanno Botha<\/p>\n
Architecture \u2013 \u201cLa Samaritaine, 1870 Department Store, Paris\u201d by Georges Pelpel\u00a0<\/p>\n
Fauna \u2013 \u201cFlight of the Fox\u201d by Bill Wages<\/p>\n
Flora \u2013 \u201cBaobabs at Sunset\u201d by Janice Rosner<\/p>\n
Landscape \u2013 \u201cAs the Storm Passes\u201d by Eric Engles\u00a0<\/p>\n
Night Photography \u2013 \u201cDancing Skies, Resting Boats\u201d by John Seivert\u00a0<\/p>\n
People \u2013 \u201cSerek Jennisbek, Medal Winning Eagle Hunter\u201d by Ann Westling\u00a0<\/p>\n
Photojournalism \u2013 \u201cNo End in Sight\u201d by Susan Pollard\u00a0<\/p>\n
Travel \u2013 \u201cEagle Hunters in Western Mongolia\u201d by Ann Westling\u00a0<\/p>\n
Creative Fantasy \u2013 \u201cBecoming the Raven\u201d by Darby Davenport in a tie with \u201cHome Renovation\u201d by Darby Davenport<\/p>\n
Manipulated But Realistic \u2013 \u201cSharing the Sunset\u201d by Ed Sylvester\u00a0<\/p>\n
Black and White \u2013 \u201cFloating Shadow Leaf\u201d by Robert Arnold<\/p>\n
Color \u2013 \u201cIce Cave Hiker in Blue Magic\u201d by John Seivert<\/p>\n
Street Photography \u2013 \u201cSunset Flight\u201d by Eric Lindberg<\/p>\n
Birds \u2013 \u201cStork of Darkness\u201d by Bill Wages<\/p>\n
\u201cI was also pleased to present Anita DuPratt, Ann Westling, and Frank Bloksberg each with an \u201cOutstanding Service Award\u201d for their commitment and dedication to the club.\u00a0 We are grateful to Anita for her two years as Secretary of the Club, to Ann for her more than 10 years as Public Relations Chair and to Frank for pro bono legal services.\u00a0 Altogether it was a night to celebrate,\u201d stated Oitzman.\u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/a>\u201cTriangulation\u201d by Hanno Botha<\/p>\n<\/a>\u201cLa Samaritaine, 1870 Department Store, Paris\u201d by Georges Pelpel\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/a>\u201cSunset Flight\u201d by Eric Lindberg<\/p>\n<\/a>\u201cAs the Storm Passes\u201d by Eric Engles\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/a>\u201cSharing the Sunset\u201d by Ed Sylvester\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/a>\u201cHome Renovation\u201d by Darby Davenport<\/p>\n<\/a>\u201cBecoming the Raven\u201d by Darby Davenport<\/p>\n<\/a>\u201cStork of Darkness\u201d by Bill Wages<\/p>\n<\/a>\u201cFlight of the Fox\u201d by Bill Wages<\/p>\n<\/a>\u201cSerek Jennisbek, Medal Winning Eagle Hunter\u201d by Ann Westling\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/a>\u201cFeathers In Freefall\u201d by Ann Westling<\/p>\n<\/a>\u201cEagle Hunters in Western Mongolia\u201d by Ann Westling\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/a>\u201cNo End in Sight\u201d by Susan Pollard\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/a>\u201cFloating Shadow Leaf\u201d by Robert Arnold<\/p>\n<\/a>\u201cDancing Skies, Resting Boats\u201d by John Seivert\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/a>\u201cIce Cave Hiker in Blue Magic\u201d by John Seivert<\/p>\n