More than 2,000 photographs taken in 392 national parks and other federal recreation lands have already been submitted for the 2009 Olympus Share the Experience photo contest. The National Park Foundation wants to remind park lovers and photographers the contest is winding down and the photo contest closes at 11:59 p.m. ET on December 31, 2009.

So what can be won? The grand prize winning photo will be featured on next year’s Federal Recreation Lands Pass and the photographer will receive a groovy Olympus E-3 Digital Camera. Of course, infinite bragging rights are included.

What are the key components of a winning photo? Take a look at the one in this blog post. It’s the 2008 winning photo taken in Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. The 2007 winning photo was taken at the Grand Canyon.

Here’s the skinny on the Share the Experience photo contest:

• Amateur photographers are invited to submit up to three photos through Dec. 31, 2009;
• At the end of the submission period the public will be invited to vote for their favorite;
• Enter by visiting www.sharetheexperience.org or when visiting a Federal Recreation Land, pick up a brochure and entry form;
• Share the Experience is the official photo contest of America’s national parks and federal recreation lands;
• The photo contest is sponsored by Olympus and the National Park Foundation in partnership with the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Reclamation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Forest Service.

Dig through those summer vacation photos or get snapping!

Photo Credit: National Park Foundation