These are the 59 photographs chosen by the 2019 Naturescapes Photography Contest Juror, Jason Weingart.

We hope you enjoy the beautiful images from Hays and surrounding counties. Congratulations to all!

These are the 60 photographs chosen by the 2017 Naturescapes Photography Contest Juror, Brian Loflin.

Congratulations to all!

Please join us at the San Marcos Activity Center on Saturday, September 3rd from 5 pm to 7 pm, for the 12th Annual Naturescapes Photography Contest and Exhibition Awards Reception.

This is a great way to support the local arts and conservation efforts! You’ll see the beautiful and inspiring images selected by the contest jurors, John and Kendra Abbott. John and Kendra are professional nature photographers, educators and outdoor enthusiasts based in Austin, Texas. John has focused on dragonflies and damselflies throughout much of his career and has written three books on these beautiful subjects that contain much of their photography. Kendra is an ecologist and focused on endangered species and conservation issues much of her career.

You’ll also get to meet with the photographers, their families, and fellow supporters. We’ll have snacks, refreshments, and live music.

The contest is co-sponsored by the Hays County Master Naturalists Chapter and the Hill Country Photography Club.

A $100 prize will be awarded for Best in Show, $75 for the best Youth Category photo, and $75 for the best Natural Waterscape photo. Up to four $50 Awards of Excellence will be presented for the next most outstanding photographs. Additional Awards of Merit will be presented at the discretion of the contest jurors.

The unique beauty of the natural areas within San Marcos inspired the first Naturescapes Photography Contest. The contest now includes photographs taken in greenspaces and natural areas throughout Hays, Blanco, Comal, Guadalupe, Caldwell, and Travis Counties.

The Exhibition in the Walkers’ Gallery at the San Marcos Activity Center, runs from September 3rd through October 28th, so you’ll have a chance to see the photographs even if you can’t attend the reception.

We started accepting entries on May 2^nd. The entry deadline is June 27^th.

The contest is now in its 12th year and is co-sponsored by the Hill Country Photography Club and the Hays County Master Naturalists.

Goals of the contest and exhibit include increasing public awareness of the importance of protecting our natural world and giving photographers at all levels of experience a chance to capture, share, and receive recognition for beautiful and inspiring images. Suggested subjects include natural scenery, wildlife, plants, and people and pets in the natural environment.

The contest is open to resident and visiting photographers of all ages. A $100 prize will be awarded for Best in Show, $75 for the best Youth Category photo, and $75 for the best Natural Waterscape photo. Up to four $50 Awards of Excellence will be presented for the next most outstanding photographs. Additional Awards of Merit will be presented at the discretion of the contest juror.

We’re very pleased to have the team of John and Kendra Abbott as our jurors. John and Kendra are professional nature photographers, educators and outdoor enthusiasts based in Austin, Texas.

Please visit the contest’s web page for complete information.

Here is the front of the the contest’s promotional postcard featuring Tom Hausler’s beautiful “Ladder-backed Woodpecker“.

Grab your cameras, go outside, and take some photographs! Please help us spread the word about the contest and we hope to see your entries soon!

These are the 25 photographs chosen by the Texas Night Sky Festival Photography Contest Juror, Andy Heatwole, for the electronic exhibition on the day of the Festival, March 5th, 2016.

There were an estimated 2400 attendees at the Festival.

Congratulations to all!