And where was “there,’’ exactly? “Oh, he was in my backyard, in the garden.’’
Yes, while other photographers were strapping on hiking boots and heading into the wilderness, she was snapping the winning frame just steps from her back door.
Of course, that doesn’t mean it wasn’t work. Dineen, who is a professional photographer, said she took more than 100 shots of the obliging bug. Only a few of the shots were worthy, she said, but the final image required almost no processing.
MassAudubon, one of the largest conservation organizations in New England, maintains an extensive network of wildlife sanctuaries across the state, runs educational programs and outdoor activities, and lobbies for environmental legislation.
This year’s contest, themed “Your Great Outdoors,’’ drew submissions from 700 people and nearly 2,700 images, more than double the number in last year’s inaugural contest.
The group chose four photos for its main prizes. There were two categories - best overall and best photo taken at a MassAudubon sanctuary - with winners in two age groups, under 18 and 18 and over. Another 20 photos were given honorable mention, split between the age categories. The four top winners will have their images used as the cover of a MassAudubon publication.
With Dineen snagging the 18-and-over honor, Brian Amici of Berlin took home the under-18 grand prize for his beautifully detailed close-up of a flowering black-eyed Susan.
Judging for the competition lasted two rounds, according to contest organizer Karen O’Neill, who is MassAudubon’s travel director. First, a team of nature photographers who work for the conservation group whittled down the pool of images to 250. Those photos then went to a second group of judges outside the organization, which included two students and professional photographers.
To help them sort through the overwhelming number of images, the judges used a software system to ease the strain.
“We told the judges to take frequent breaks,’’ O’Neill said.
