Our photography contest features more than 50 images created by DEQ staff who work daily to protect Oregon’s air, land and water. The contest drew entries of stunning images from around the state —whether a shot from their travels or a selfie with a beloved creature or critter. Browse this gallery to see the judges’ top picks. We hope these inspire you.
First place: Whitehorse Falls. Photo and caption by Aaron K., vehicle inspector 
Second place: Fancy meeting you here! On the edge of 7,000 feet, McNeil Point. Photo and caption by Grecia L., Human Resources Assistant 
Third place: Fresh snow dusts Smith Rock on a quiet late-December evening. Photo and caption by Eileen N., agency toxics coordinator 
Runner-up: Neowise over the Willamette. Photo by Steve S.,Senior Water Quality Permit Analyst 
Climate change….fact or fiction? Photo of my backyard in Portland, Oregon (April 2022). Photo and caption by Kimberlee V., senior emergency response coordinator 
What I love about Oregon; its wildness and beauty, with all its surprises and variability. Photo and caption by Michele T., web designer 
Little Cultus Lake. Quiet gem of Central Oregon. Photo and caption by Randy J., Eastern Oregon Regional Solutions Program 
One of my favorite things about Oregon is exploring the natural abundance of remote high-gradient streams, fly road in-hand, seeking wild, native fish with people I love. Photo and caption by Peter D., Sherwood Clean Air Station manager 
An urban Earth Day. Scene from my bike commute near Hawthorne Bridge, Portland. Photo and caption by Harry E., communications manager 
Playing disc golf at Rooster Rock, our Beagle’s “playground.” Photo by Corin Salnave, Heating Oil Tank Program, duty officer 
Heron and hazy Rainier. Photo by Owen R., Air Quality Modeler in the Air Quality Technical Services section 
Transgression. Regression. Photo and caption by Owen R., Air Quality Modeler in the Air Quality Technical Services section 
McKenzie River headwaters at Clear Lake. Photo by Sarah M., Cleanup Project Manager 
Sahalie Falls. Photo by Sarah M., Cleanup Project Manager 
Rejoicing in the environment we are trying to protect and promote; view from Stacker Butte overlooking the Columbia River Gorge. Photo and caption by Spencer Bohaboy, Hazardous Waste Permit Writer 
The Hoyt Arboretum in Portland is an investment in our planet as it provides a habitat to many animals, helps clean our water and air, and it’s a beautiful place for people to decompress and enjoy nature. Photo and caption by Sophia C., chemist, DEQ laboratory 
Feathered friend at the Hoyt Arboretum, Portland. Photo by Sophia C., chemist, DEQ laboratory 
Scenic drive on Hwy 224 along the banks of the Clackamas River, pre-fires. Much has changed there in two years. Photo and caption by Lee B., Northeast and Scappoose Clean Air Station Manager 
Great view near the top of Banshee Hill in Winchester Bay. – our favorite place to go ride our quads and enjoy being outside! Photo and caption by Lee B., Northeast and Scappoose Clean Air Station Manager 
Taking in the view at Painted Hills Observation area in northeastern Oregon during a a motorcycle and camping trip. Photo and caption by Lee B., Northeast and Scappoose Clean Air Station Manager 
Silver Falls State Park with fog in the foothills. Photo and caption by Angela R., Water Quality Permitting Operations & Policy Analyst 
Sunbeam at Cannon Beach/Photo and caption by Angela R., Water Quality Permitting Operations & Policy Analyst 
Cape Lookout beach sunset. Photo and caption by Angela R., Water Quality Permitting Operations & Policy Analyst 
Silver Falls in the early morning. Photo and caption by Angela R., Water Quality Permitting Operations & Policy Analyst 
Rockaway Beach sunset reflection with Rosie. Photo and caption by Angela R., Water Quality Permitting Operations & Policy Analyst 
Mt. McLoughlin reflection in Willow Lake. Photo by Aaron K., vehicle inspector, Vehicle Inspection Program-Medford 
Lone Ranch Beach near Brookings. Photo by Aaron K., vehicle inspector, Vehicle Inspection Program-Medford 
Mt. McLoughlin in the snow at sunset. Photo by Aaron K., vehicle inspector 
Pearsony Falls in Prospect, Oregon. Photo by Aaron K., vehicle inspector 
Camping in Lost Forest Natural Research Area where investing to conserve this remnant Ponderosa Pine forest, isolated by arid desert, pays back dividends in unique ecosystem benefits!/Photo and caption by Alex L., watershed program analyst 
Springtime in Portland’s Waterfront Park/Photo and caption by Jennifer K., former program analyst, Clean Water State Revolving Fund 
After a short but steep trek on a well-traveled path, you can follow a creek until it emerges into the basalt bowl that cradles Abiqua Falls. Photo and caption by Eileen N., agency toxics coordinator 
As dusk fell over the Alvord Desert, we startled a covey of Greater Sage-Grouse and followed their flight path over the ice-crusted dry lakebed. Photo and caption by Eileen N., agency toxics coordinator 
The meadows surrounding Todd Lake are bursting with wildflowers even into late summer and early fall. Photo and caption by Eileen N., agency toxics coordinator 
In Siuslaw National Forest on a trail dominated by Bigleaf Maple, Douglas Fir and Western Hemlock at lower elevations, we climbed towards an old burn at higher elevation where ashy soil gave rise to late-summer goldenrod blooms. Photo and caption by Eileen N., agency toxics coordinator 
Good morning, Mt. Hood/Photo by Jennifer F., public affairs specialist 
Sea foam on kelp, Oregon coast/Photo by Greg C., water quality specialist, DEQ Lab 
Top of Paulina Peak with a views of Paulina Lake, Mt. Bachelor, and Three Sisters. Photo and caption by Alex S., air quality permit writer and inspector 
East side of Steens Mountain, view from Fields-Denino Road. Photo by Alex S., Air Quality Permit Writer and Inspector 
Haystack Rock – A popular spot that Oregonians and visitors alike hold “deer” to their hearts. Photo and caption by Alex S., Air Quality Permit Writer and Inspector 
Bandit on the Willamette. Photo and caption by Steve S., Senior Water Quality Permit Analyst 
Sisters make best friends, Wahclella Falls. Photo and caption by Steve S., Senior Water Quality Permit Analyst 
A girl’s best friend – Mary’s Peak. Photo and caption by Steve S., Senior Air Quality Permit Analyst 
A girl’s best friend, Road’s End Beach. Photo and caption by Steve S., Senior Air Quality Permit Analyst 
Mink Lake. Photo by Sara S., Eastern Region Watershed Manager 
Lake Billy Chinook. Photo by Sara S., Eastern Region Watershed Manager 
Riley Ranch. Photo by Sara S., Eastern Region Watershed Manager 
Day dreaming above the clouds at McNeil Point. Photo and caption by Grecia L., Human Resources Assistant 
Shocking and invitingly blue/ Slushie blue, but all true! Tamolitch Blue Pool, McKenzie River Trail. Photo and caption by Grecia L., Human Resources Assistant 
Tucked away but not overshadowed, a beach full of natural splendors in Brookings, Oregon/Photo and caption by Grecia L., Human Resources Assistant 
A bridge of sunlight to the heavens, Columbia River Gorge. Photo and caption by Grecia L., Human Resources Assistant 
Mountain Inception, Crater Lake. Photo and caption by Grecia L., Human Resources Assistant 
Take a stroll with me, Florence Dune. Photo and caption by Grecia L., Human Resources Assistant 
Pre-historic and grand creations, McNeil Point, Mt. Hood. Photo and caption by Grecia L., Human Resources Assistant 
Tom McCall Waterfront in Portland. Photo by Lauren R., Operations and Policy Analyst