Micheal H. Eastman, Founder Eastmans' Publishing, Inc., Recognized with Prestigious National Geographic and International Conservation Photography Awards

POWELL, WY, January 23, 2013 (Press-News.org) A spectacular photograph of a red fox diving for his prey has captured one of eight Honorable Mention Awards in the 124th National Geographic Photography Contest. The photographer of the image titled, "Red Fox Catching Mouse under Snow," is Micheal H. Eastman.

The annual photo contest attracted more than 22,000 images from 150 countries. Judging consisted of three rounds of evaluation based on the criteria of creativity, photographic quality and genuineness/authenticity of the content. Contestants submitted photographs in three categories - People, Places and Nature. Eastman, founder of Eastmans' Hunting Journal and Eastmans' Bowhunting Journal, bestselling author and recognized photographer earned this coveted award in the Nature category. The winning photographs can be viewed at http://www.ngphotocontest.com.

Eastman says of the photograph, taken at Squaw Creek, Park County, WY, "With his exceptional hearing, this red fox targeted a mouse hidden under two feet of crusted snow. Springing high into the air with his body perfectly vertical, he breaks through the crusted spring snow with his nose as he grabs the mouse under the snow."

At the International Conservation Photography Awards (ICP Awards), Eastman won recognition with his photograph, "Antelope Jumping the Fences," in the "Natural Environment At-Risk Award" category. Eastman shared this photograph description, "At the foothills of the Absaroka Wilderness in Wyoming, the heavy snows trigger hundreds of antelope to migrate to wintering grounds. They have three unnatural barriers to cross — two barbwire fences and a major highway. An early storm finds this herd of antelope stacked up at the first unnatural barrier. I caught this herd with most crawling under the bottom strand while a few take the leap over."

The ICP Awards is a premier worldwide photography event focused on conservation and the environment. The 2012 edition of the biennial juried photo competition includes an online exhibit, a five-month museum gallery exhibit at the prestigious Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture in Seattle, Washington, and publication in national photography magazines and other printed communications. An exciting addition to the program this year is that the Burke Museum has agreed to "tour" the top images to other national museums and venues after the show closes in Seattle. View the ICPA Awards at http://www.icpawards.com/Slideshows/slideshow_naturerisk2012.html

ABOUT MICHEAL H. EASTMAN
Micheal H. Eastman is a living legend in the hunting world. His western roots go deep, with a history of hunting the West that spans 50 years. Mike started the flagship magazine, Eastmans' Hunting Journal, in 1987. With its success came the inspiration to develop Eastmans' Bowhunting Journal for the western bowhunter. In 1999, Mike focused his entrepreneurial skills to produce, edit, and host a popular series on trophy big game hunting and the ethics of fair chase. Through Mike's leadership, Eastmans' Hunting TV is now in it 15th year. The author of bestselling books on hunting trophy mule deer and elk, Mike has just released his latest title, Mule Deer Hunting Tactics, available now. Since his youth, Mike has been an accomplished professional guide, outfitter, trophy hunter, adventurer and prized wildlife photographer. Mike's lifetime of accomplishments helps to inspire every hunter to appreciate fair chase, the outdoor experience, and the behavior of wildlife.

THE AWARD WINNING PHOTOGRAPHS

Red Fox Catching Mouse under Snow
Photographer: Micheal H. Eastman
Location: Squaw Creek, Park County, WY

Antelope Jumping the Fences
Photographer: Micheal H. Eastman
Location: Absaroka Wilderness, WY