We held the 10th Annual Naturescapes Awards Reception last night 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.

The turnout was excellent, with over 100 exhibitors, family, and friends, attending. 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.

I was pleased to serve as the Master of Ceremonies and was helped by Hays County Master Naturalist Vice-President Karen Archer.

Naturescapes is the only juried exhibition at the Walkers’ Gallery and this year we were pleased to have Mike Sloat as the contest juror. —Mike’s work has been featured in such publications as Texas Highways, Nature Photography, Audubon, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Texas Monthly, Travel Host magazines, Corpus Christi Convention & Visitors Bureau, International Crane Foundation, Bugle Magazine and Windsport Magazine.

The contest received 240 entries from 44 photographers. Mike selected 60 images from 31 photographers. Five of the photographers in the exhibition are youth. Images from all the eligible counties: Blanco, Caldwell, Comal, Guadalupe, Hays, Travis, are in the exhibition.

Here’s the complete list of the Naturescapes 2014 Award Winners.

Awards of Excellence

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

• Sunflower and Bud – Rose Epps
• Visiting Hamilton Pool – Winifred Simon
• Field Mouse – Winifred Simon
• First Light – Herb Smith

Best Youth

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

• Blue Hole – Alyssa Caldwell

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 Larry Calvert.

• Foggy morning on the River – Doug Farrell

Best in Show

The Best in Show Award is presented to the Exhibition’s top image and wins a $100 prize.

• Dew on Bluebonnets – Winifred Simon

There are 60 beautiful images on display. The Naturescapes Exhibition will be in the Walkers’ Gallery until November 7th. Be sure to go see it!

Framing the Past

In addition,  you can see the companion exhibition by members of the Hill Country Photography Club, Framing the Past.

This exhibition consists of 30 beautiful images of people, places, and artifacts from our past.

Visitor’s Choice Awards

This year we added a Visitor’s Choice Award for both the Naturescapes and the Framing the Past Exhibitions. Everyone got to vote for their favorite image.

• Naturescapes: The Approach – Carolyn Whiteside
• Framing the Past: Weapons of the Alamo – Carolyn Whiteside