We held the 11th 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.

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, Carolyn Whiteside, Karen Archer, Carla Ellard and myself. Carol and Carolyn are co-Presidents of the Hill Country Photography Club. Karen is Vice-President of the Hays County Master Naturalists. Carla served as contest juror.

Naturescapes is the only juried exhibition at the Walkers’ Gallery and this year we were pleased to have Carla Ellard as the contest juror. —Carla received her Masters in Library and Information Science from the University of Texas-Austin and a Bachelor of Science in Photography at East Texas State University (now A&M-Commerce).

She has been the Curator, Southwestern & Mexican Photography, at the Wittliff Collections at Texas State University since 2013, where she started as Assistant Curator in 2000. She has previously juried other photography shows for the A Smith Gallery, Seguin Art League, and Texas State campus photography club.

She has also participated in the Valley Land Fund photo contest, and appreciates the patience, technique/skill, and serendipity required for producing nature photographs.

The contest received 290 entries from 54 photographers. Carla selected 60 images from 34 photographers. Ten 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 2015 Award Winners.

Awards of Merit

• Barn & Bluebonnets – Mary Hulett
• Cypress on The Blanco – Janet Sanders
• Wading in the Rain – Nancy Naylor
• Mesquite Beans – Bridget Decker

Awards of Excellence

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

• Bee on Bluebonnet – Winifred Simon
• Feeding Time (Eastern Bluebirds) – Carol Serur
• the spider and the fly – Brian Moreland
• Ladder-backed Woodpecker – Tom Hausler

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 Karen Archer.

• Creek Sunset – Winifred Simon

Best Youth

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

• Crossing the Blanco – Eamon Decker

Best in Show

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

• Bluebonnet Hillside – Michael Penn Smith

Visitor’s Choice

This year we have a Visitor’s Choice Award. Everyone got to vote for their favorite image.

• Longhorn – Drew Wilson