Check out what our social media followers had to say about this year’s Forests in Focus People’s Choice nominees and winner!

A small branch attached to the antlers of a bull elk during the fall rut in the Cataloochee Valley, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, NC CREATOR Neil Jacobs

WINNER: “Elk Leaves” by Neil Jacobs
“He looks like the Lord of the forest!”
— @maggieneedspie, Instagram

A G4 geomagnetic storm displayed vibrant auroras visible to the naked eye in central Oregon. CREATOR Claire Thompson

“Geomagnetic Superstorm” by Claire Thompson
“I love them all, but since I work at the oldest public observatory in the Western Hemisphere, I’m partial to this one!”
— Jill S., Facebook

As the winter months loom ahead, a Red Squirrel rests momentarily before scampering back up a Hickory Tree to stash a nut in his tree cavity den which is about the size of a baseball. Nearby Oak Trees are helping to fill his pantry, as well as the abundance of Hickory nuts that are falling to the ground from his tree. CREATOR Melissa C. Rowell (Facebook) MELISSA_ROWELL

“I’m Nuts for Nuts” by Melissa Rowell
“I love the textures in this photo with the moss on the forest floor and the bark of the tree. And the innocence it captures of the squirrel’s behavior.”
— Alyssa H., Facebook

Forest Close-Ups. The dendritic pattern in the hoar frost mimic's the frozen Cottonwood leaf. CREATOR Ed Neville

“Frost” by Ed Neville
“Even on cold, grey days, you can find beauty if you keep your eyes open. The heart-shaped leaf reminds us that love is everywhere and in everything.”
— @Julie8i8, Instagram

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