The votes are in, and the City of Eden Prairie's 2025 Community Photo Contest has its winners, the city's Facebook page buzzing with activity as followers selected their favorites from a collection of vivid local snapshots. It's a digital celebration of nature, with participants capturing moments from a yellow bird perched on an orange flower to pontoons basking in the sunset's glow. As noted in a recent City of Eden Prairie announcement, these photos not only earned the admiration of online onlookers but will now grace the pages of the winter 2026 issue of "Life in the Prairie."
Kelly Marshik clinched the top spot with a striking image titled "Tweety," featuring the vivid contrast of a yellow bird against the backdrop of a vibrant orange flower. Accumulating a total of 486 votes, Marshik's photo stood out among the online electorate, showcasing the community's talent and appreciation for the local fauna. Following closely behind, Brett Sagers' "Barred Owl on Purgatory Creek," garnered 452 votes for second place, with its haunting image of the owl in its natural habitat.
Third place was secured by Krishay Panchal, with his serene capture "Docked in the Glow" — a photograph that bathed pontoons in the warm embrace of the setting sun, reflecting the tranquility of lakeside life. Panchal's work received 226 votes, demonstrating the impressive range and diversity of perspectives within the Eden Prairie community. These photographs, as revealed by the City of Eden Prairie's website, celebrate the natural beauty and captured moments of stillness and life within the Prairie, a tribute to its inspiring landscapes and the individuals who document them.
Indeed, the contest was a convergence of visionaries, each using their lens to tell a story, to freeze time. Residents who missed the winning shots on social media will have the chance to see the masterpieces in print in the upcoming winter issue. The City of Eden Prairie expressed its gratitude to all the photographers who participated in the contest, ensuring acknowledgment of the collective effort: "Congratulations to our winners and thank you to everyone who participated in the contest!" the contest announcement conveyed, providing not just a platform for these images to shine, but also a communal space for the celebration of local creativity.
