PUTNAM PARK IS HOME TO ALL. Recent Memorial High School grad Noah Sylvester photographed the grand prize-winning image of the Friends of Putnam Park's first nature photo contest. Later this year, a calendar will be created and sold with the top 13 submissions. (Photo by Noah Syvlester)

A fox kit’s friendly face near its den in Eau Claire's Putnam Park, captured by local photographer Noah Sylvester, won the $200 grand prize of the the first nature photo contest sponsored by the nonprofit group Friends of Putnam Park (FOPP).

Noah, a recent Memorial High School graduate and soon-to-be engineering student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, currently lives in the Third Ward neighborhood. Using a Canon R camera newly gifted to him by his father, Jeff, the grand prize-winning photo was taken during a visit to Putnam Park with his mom, Lisa – a near-religious birder – in hopes of snapping some images of birds.

“I saw the fox cubs frolicking and playing near their den and I remained very still,” he shared. “They were curious about me and approached me closer than I would have expected, and I started to click away.”

Three judges, all members of FOPP, reviewed a total 61 entries to reach their decision. The winner was announced at FOPP’s annual meeting held on Saturday, July 18, in the Riverview Room at the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library.

Next up, the FOPP will begin the process of creating its monthly wall calendar, which will feature the top 13 photos and photographers. The group's goal is to finalize the calendar and offer it up for sale prior to this year's holiday season. Those proceeds will go toward the nonprofit's budget.

Want to pick up a Friends of Putnam Park calendar yourself? Keep up with the nonprofit organization on social media and learn more at www.friendsofputnampark.org. To view more of Noah Sylvester's photography, visit his instagram page (@photography.noah.s).