AUSTIN (March 19, 2009)—Howard Cheek’s image of a cardinal in the backyard of his home in the Lampasas County community of Kempner has won the grand prize in the Nature Conservancy’s 2008 Nature Photo Contest, in which there were more than 14,000 entries.

Cheek’s photograph, “Waterhole landing,” was one of 14 finalists for the award.

It and 13 other photos were posted on the Conservancy’s photo contest page where more than 19,000 people around the world ranked Cheek’s photo the best.

“I’m thrilled to have won,” Cheek said.

“It’s a validation that great nature photography can be accomplished wherever nature is found.”

Laura Huffman, the state director of The Nature Conservancy of Texas, said it’s exciting that the winning image “was found, quite literally, in a backyard right here in Texas.”

“We often take nature for granted, and this wonderful image of a common songbird bird illustrates that if we stop and take the time to look, a connection with nature can be found in your own backyard, in a nearby park or on a Conservancy preserve,” she said.

Cheek took up photography as a hobby six years ago.

“It’s hard work,” Cheek explains. “But it can be incredibly gratifying—especially at times like this.”