“Morning Meal,” a close-up image of a pelican catching bait fish in the Columbia River, won first place in last year’s contest.

Coast Weekend’s annual photo contest returns this week, with submissions open online beginning Wednesday and through Dec. 19.

During the entry window, readers are invited to share images taken within Clatsop, Tillamook or Pacific counties for a chance to appear in a January print issue of Coast Weekend. Up to one image per email address can be submitted each week.

Last year’s gallery of entries overflowed with impressive wildlife photographs, like a close-up of a hungry brown pelican and another of a splashing tufted puffin. There were ships, sunsets and shellfish. A local portrait won the People’s Choice category.

In addition to the usual fine print — entries should be taken within the past year, for example — this year’s contest rules address the use of generative AI, a controversial topic among photographers. At this time, we’ve made the decision to disallow images made with AI tools.

As in past years, three winning photos will be selected by The Astorian in addition to a People’s Choice Award, chosen by readers. Voting will follow the entry period and remain open through Dec. 31.

Submit your images up to once per week using this link: www.eo-media-group.secondstreetapp.com/2023photocontest.