The contest is held each summer and encourages CNMI residents to get out and capture the brilliant flame trees that begin to blossom each April and display their colors best in June and July.
“Flame tree season is one of the best times of the year, and we’d like to congratulate both Steve and Leslie for capturing such nice photos. We are looking forward to featuring them in our local and visitor programming so that people can enjoy them all year round,” said Flame Tree TV president Chris Nelson.
Sablan’s photograph is a close up picture of a flame tree near his home in the village of Susupe. He shot digitally with a Sony 12 mega pixel camera. Sablan works locally at Seafix and has a number of talents. He is not only an avid amateur photographer; he is also a musician who can be found playing in a rock band at various places around Saipan.
Ware works for TSA at the Saipan International Airport. He spends many hours each week looking for the perfect shot. Ware spent a number of days waiting for the right light and studying the habits of the kingfisher that is framed by the flame tree in his first place shot. The photo is taken near the Last Command Post in the Marpi area. He shot digitally with a Canon EOS 12 mega pixel camera. Ware is a repeat winner as one of his photos took top honors in 2007.
The Flame Tree TV and Production Company manages and operates the local channel KSPN2, Visitors Channel 2 and Visitors Channel 3.
“KSPN2 News” is the number 1 watched show in the CNMI, live at 6 p.m.
“The Visitors Channel” features where to go, what to do, and what to see. Its programming has restaurants, spas, hotels, shopping, tours, diving, history, and culture.
