CONTEST: There’s a lot of natural beauty in this region, and this is the perfect time of year to showcase it.

The Pennsylvania Great Outdoors Visitors Bureau announced its “Scenic View” Photo Contest for Cameron, Elk and Forest counties.

The contest runs through December. Finalists’ photos for the contest period will be posted online. The four entries receiving the most votes winning cash prizes.

To enter, complete the entry form and upload your photos at VisitPAGO.com/contest. The only requirements are that the photo meets the photo contest theme and must be taken in Cameron, Elk or Forest counties.

“Our photo contests are very popular with travelers and locals alike. This contest offers people the chance to show off their photos highlighting the natural beauty of the many scenic vistas in the region,” said John Straitiff, executive director of the Pennsylvania Great Outdoors Visitors Bureau.

It’s a neat website at VisitPAGO.com, offering some beautiful images of the counties included in the contest. The site offers an elk and eagle watching guide in Cameron County, along with events, and a guide to Sinnemahoning, Driftwood and Emporium. Sinnemahoning State Park and Stevenson Dam are in Cameron County.

There is far more than just elk in Elk County. There’s the Clarion River, the old mansions in Ridgway, Straub Brewery in St. Marys, and Decker’s Chapel — one of the smallest churches in the country.

The Allegheny National Forest spans part of Elk and Forest counties, too. The flora and fauna is unmatched. Forest County has miles of trails. Buzzard Swamp has wildlife watching where one might see osprey or eagles. Cook Forest and Tionesta aren’t to be missed.

Take a shot. It costs nothing to enter the contest.