Category Archives: News

2018 Naturescapes Exhibition

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These are the 60 photographs chosen by the 2018 Naturescapes Photography Contest Juror, Earl Nottingham.

Congratulations to all!

2017 Naturescapes Exhibition

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

Congratulations to all!

2017 Texas Night Sky Festival Exhibition

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These are the 25 photographs chosen by the 2017 Texas Night Sky Festival Photography Contest Juror, Doug Gephardt, for the electronic exhibition on the day of the Festival, March 18th, 2017.

There were an estimated 2600 attendees at the Festival.

Congratulations to all!

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Mike Zarella

Congratulations to Mike for winning Honorable Mention in the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society 2016 Photo Contest for his photo of a manatee.

The “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society has established an annual photography contests on behalf of Jay Norwood Darling, the Refuge’s namesake, who recognized the importance of art to convey powerful messages about the importance of conservation and protecting our wildlife and habitats. The contest uses wildlife and outdoor photography as great way to educate visitors about the beauty of the wildlife that calls the Refuge “home” in hopes to inspire future conservation stewards.

https://www.dingdarlingsociety.org/photo-contests/2016/DDD_photoContest_2016.html

manatee_zarella

Florida Manatee
Mike Zarella

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Wes Odell

Wes Odell’s monochrome image of a broken down wagon in historic Bannock Montana, titled “Out of Commission” was selected to be in the 2016 “High and Dry” exhibit.

The exhibit is part of Texas Tech University’s International Cultural Center’s emphasis on “The Dry Lands of the World” and features the people, places and culture of these lands.

The exhibit will run from December 2nd to January in Lubbock, Texas.The results of the Photographic Society of America 2016 Green Eagle Award in the Pictorial Print Division were just announced.

odell-wes-out-of-commission

Congratulations, Wes!

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Nancy Naylor, Michael Penn Smith, and Winifred Simon

Club members Nancy Naylor, Michael Penn Smith, and Winifred Simon had images selected for the Texas Photographic Society FotoTexas: People, Places & Culture exhibit, juried by Dan Burkholder.

Congratulations Nancy, Michael, and Winifred!

Naturescapes Awards Reception

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We held the 12th Annual Naturescapes Awards Reception on September 3rd at the San Marcos Activity Center. The reception opened the Exhibition at the Walkers’ Gallery and also gave an opportunity to recognize the award winners.

We had a nice turnout and it was great to meet all the photographers, their families, and supporters. We were treated to snacks, drinks, cake, desserts, and wine and champagne. Music was provided by the ensemble, Wimberley Friends of Music. Many thanks Linda Kelsey-Jones, the Walker’s Gallery Director and exhibition curator, for organizing the reception.

The program was presented by Carol Serur, Beth Ramey, and Art Arizpe. Carol is President of the Hill Country Photography Club. Beth is President of the Hays County Master Naturalists. Art is the contest coordinator.

Naturescapes is the only juried exhibition at the Walkers’ Gallery and this year we were pleased to have John and Kendra Abbot as the contest jurors. —John and Kendra are professional nature photographers, educators and outdoor enthusiasts.

The contest received 235 entries from 42 photographers. The jurors selected 60 images from 23 photographers.

Here’s the complete list of the Naturescapes 2016 Award Winners.

Awards of Merit

  • Black-chinned Hummingbird 3 – Jørgen Høg
  • Red Thorns – Nancy Naylor
  • Water Lily with Bees – Winifred F. Simon
  • Soldier Butterfly on Purple Coneflower – Drew Wilson
  • Serene Queen – Drew Wilson

Awards of Excellence

The contest has four Awards of Excellence and each wins a $50 prize.

  • Favorite Swimming Hole – Rose Krohn Epps
  • Bluebonnets and Lightning – Andrew Heatwole
  • bee in flight – Best Insect, Scott G. Mitchell
  • Texas Mockingbird – Nancy Naylor

Best Natural Waterscape

The Best Natural Waterscape Award is sponsored by the Hays County Master Naturalists and wins a $75 prize. This Award was presented by Beth Ramey.

  • Jacob’s Well in the Moonlight – Andrew Heatwole

Best Youth

The Best Youth Award is sponsored by the Hill Country Photography Club and wins a $75 prize.

  • Flame Skimmer Dragonfly – Drew Wilson

Best in Show

The Best in Show Award wins a $100 prize.

  • Gulf Fritillary Egg – Linda Avitt
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Wes Odell

The results of the Photographic Society of America 2016 Green Eagle Award in the Pictorial Print Division were just announced.

In the monochrome division, Club member Wes O’Dell won First Place for “Killer Instinct” taken at Georgetown’s Sterling Gloves Tournament, and an Honorable Mention for “Hand of a Young Cowboy” taken in Art, Texas.

Congratulations, Wes!PSA 2016 Green Eagle_The Killer Instinct _0479 OdellPSA Green Eagle 2016_Hand of a Young Cowboy_Wes Odell

Naturescapes Awards Reception

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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 Naturescapes 2016 Postcardthe 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.

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Congratulations to Nancy Naylor and Rose Epps.!

Both won awards at the Austin Shutterbug Club Show this month.

Rose won “Best Contemporary”.

Nancy won “Best of Show”.