Three Lee County amateur photographers have been selected as winners in the 2010 Calusa Blueway Photo Contest, which garnered its most entries in the history of the five-year Calusa Blueway Paddling Festival with 94 pictures.

Vincent Abbatiello nabbed first in the nature/wildlife category, David Crook won first in the kayakers-on-the-trail category and Carolyn Babb took top prize in the signs-on-the-trail division.

Crook and his first-place colleagues will be joined by second- and third-place winners in each category at a Calusa Blueway Paddling Festival event at noon Saturday, Nov. 6, in Matlacha Park. The reception is open to all shutterbugs and kayakers.

Presentations by Jeanette Chupack and Mark Renz will feature stunning photos and tips for photographing Florida’s flora and fauna. The event is free as part of the 10-day canoe and kayak festival that kicks off Friday, Oct. 29.

Contest Judges included Chupack, Renz and Andrew West of The News-Press. Chupack of Cape Coral was the 2008 contest winner.

Renz of Lehigh Acres is a nature photographer and fossil guide. To view the first-place winners’ images in detail as well as those of all the entrants, visit the Calusa Blueway Paddling Festival’s Facebook page.

Second-place winners were Nancy Kaelin for nature/wildlife, Wendy MacArthur for kayakers-on-the-trail and Mark Hatfield for signs-on-the-trail.

Third-place finishers included Carolyn Kimbrell for nature/wildlife, Colleen Passaro for kayakers-on-the-trail and Brenda Anderson in the signs division.

The photo contest is a highlight of the final festival weekend, Nov. 4-7, which also plays host to the Calusa Blueway Kayak Fishing Tournament, Paddle of the Pass Regatta, socials and guided tours, and Bluegrass for a Blueway.

First weekend activities run Oct. 29 – Nov. 1 with on-water instruction, club paddles, guided tours, paddlers’ socials, children’s activities, an Imperial River race and several festival-style events, including one at Lovers Key State Park on Fort Myers Beach and one at Riverside Park in Bonita Springs.

A Florida Paddling Trail Association festive event is slated for Halloween at San Carlos RV Resort. Complete details are online at www.CalusaBluewayPaddlingFestival.com.