THERMOPOLIS - Wind River Canyon nature photographer Michael John Balog has won 1st and 2nd place awards in the Professional Divsion at the 2015 50th Annual Cody Art Show, presented by the Cody Art League. The awards were announced Friday, June 19 after the artists reception.

The winning photographs were both of hummingbirds taken in the Wind River Canyon. The 1st place photograph was of a female Broad-tailed Hummingbird, as she was attempting to land on a nectar feeder, printed by Mike in a black and white selenium print that he framed himself in rustic wood. The 2nd place award was for a baby Rufous Hummingbird photographed literally his first morning out of the nest.

In the past four years, Mike has won three 1st place awards and three 2nd place awards at the annual Cody Art Show, all in the professional division. All but one of the winning photographs were of hummingbirds, and all of them photographed in the Wind River Canyon.

Mike's wildlife photographs can also be viewed on his website Hogbatsphotography.com, and in the Thermopolis Chiropractic Clinic; a large display of hummingbirds, birds, Bighorn sheep and other Wyoming favorites are always on display there. Mike's pictures can also be seen at Thermopolis restaurant Las Fuentes; including the 2013 1st place Rufous Hummingbird in flight.