Borgen wins again in Eagle Center contest

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WABASHA – An exhibition of contest-winning photographs is among highlights of Soar with the Eagle festivities this weekend at the National Eagle Center in downtown Wabasha.

Three photos by Goodhue County residents were among the top contest entries.

The photo contest winners are on display all month at the center, where activities are planned every weekend in March. In past years, Soar with the Eagles focused on a single weekend; this year, each weekend has a theme and a series of programs.

Sandra Borgen of Red Wing was third-place winner in “The River” category with “Morning Visitor.” The photo of a heron in Boathouse Village off Bay Point Park was taken in the early morning hours in September 2007, she said.

Borgen, who was a first-place winner last year in the same category, said this year’s winning image also can be seen in the gift gallery at the Red Wing Arts Association, where her work will be featured in a solo exhibition from May 14 to June 23. She is a member of the Red Wing Photography Club.

Another Red Wing photographer, Deb Reuter, received honorable mention in the same category with “Quiet Reflection.” Winners were Ray Leaf of Rochester and Filomena Larson of La Crosse, Wis.

In “The Eagle” category, winners were Gerry Sibell of Hibbing, Minn., Dan Reiland of Eau Claire, Wis., and T.J. Helgeson of Baldwin, Wis. Bradley Johnson of Kenyon received honorable mention for “Ice Eagle.”

Other winners: “The Flyway” - Filomena Larson, John Larson of La Crosse and Doyle Gates of Mindoro, Wis., with honorable mention to Sandy Brooks of Forest Lake, Minn.; “The Human Connection”: - Tim Sarkela of Eagan, Minn., Shirley Gates of Mindoro, and Deborah Stark of Rochester; Youth Division – Cullen Doms of Buffalo, Minn.

Soar with the Eagles will feature educational programs, speakers, river tours aboard the Pearl of the Lake and eagle feeding programs three times a day. and Raptor Center experts will present programs at 2 p.m. both days; photographers Deborah and Steven Stark will give advice at 11:30 a.m.; and archeologist Ernie Boszhardt will speak at 12:30 p.m.

“The Human Connection” is theme for the opening weekend. Special features at 2 p.m. at St. Felix School will include Native American leader Cloris Lowe, Raptor Center educational activities and a presentation by master falconer Frank Taylor. The public can have brunch with Harriet the Eagle from 9 to 11 a.m. Sunday at the Anderson House.

Special events March 14-15, when the theme is “The Flyway,” will include outdoorsman Ron Schara and Raven at the Home, Garden and Vacation Show at Wabasha-Kellogg School. Kenny Salwey, known as “The River Rat,” plans a dinner program, and Karla Kinstler will focus on owls.

March 21-22 the focus will be on “The Eagle,” with special presentations on photography, wildlife biology and conservation. The final weekend, March 28-29, will focus on “The River.” Special programs will include owls, fish, river ecology and riverboat Capt. Ron Larson. For details, go to www.nationaleaglecenter.org.

Tags: eagle center contest, river category, applause, sandra, borgen