“Fluff of the Feathers,” a Coast Weekend Photo Contest entry by Hammond resident Samantha Silverman, shows a bird along the Astoria Riverwalk.

“New entries pending approval.”

That was the subject line that kept appearing at least once each day in my email inbox during the entry window for the Coast Weekend Photo Contest.

In all, more than 100 images were sent in by readers this year to vie for first, second and third place, as well as the People’s Choice Award.

Together, the photos tell stories of a place overflowing with water and wildlife.

In first place this year is Stuart Wolf, of Gearhart, with a close capture of two young bald eagles on a sandy beach one summer morning. An earlier image of his, with three seals emerging from the water in a triangular pattern, won first place in a previous contest.

Other winning entries this year show low tide levels at the Peter Iredale shipwreck, near Hammond, a small frog at play and a family outing in Cannon Beach.

Bright sunset hues dot the contest entries overall, as do ships drifting in and out of the Columbia River and scenes of the Astoria Bridge. In addition to the winners and finalists shown in print this week, look online to view the full gallery of contest entries from readers.