The 2013 Naturescapes Exhibition is now up and I’m happy to have four prints selected by the contest juror, Chase Fountain, for inclusion. My previous post about the Awards Reception is here.

Here they are, in no particular order. This one, Sedum Spill, is my favorite. I was on an early morning hike with Jesse Huth and Jaci Kroupa, conducting a bird survey on our property, when we came across this scene. The sun had risen, but the sky was overcast. Just then, the clouds broke a little bit and a beam of light hit the ground ahead. It lit up the sedum and was just beautiful. I quickly dropped to the ground and took this shot. I was sure it would make a good Naturescapes entry.

This is normally a bare spot on our land. It’s rocky and nothing grows there. Sedum is also known as stone crop and I can see why. In the spring, and with good rains, it transforms this ugly spot into a beautiful one.

Sedum Spill

Next is Spanish Dagger Flowers. I took this in Comal County and this is the first year Naturescapes accepted images not taken in Hays County. Lucky for me. I visited the Mesquite Creek Landfill and Wildlife Habitat Area on a field trip with our Master Naturalist Chapter and found this striking floral arrangement. Spanish Daggers (Yucca torreyi) are a yucca and I saw many in bloom. The sky was cloudy and the soft light was perfect for the delicate, drooping flowers. I knew it would make a nice black and white image.

Spanish Dagger Flowers

This one is Agarita Flowers, taken on our property. Agaritas (Mahonia trifoliolata) are plentiful at our place. This one was growing near our house, beneath a live oak and the sunlight, filtered through the oak branches and leaves, lit it nicely.

I’ve had an Agarita flower photograph in Naturescapes before, but this one is better.

Agarita Flowers

Finally, here is Lace Cactus. These may be my favorite cactus; tiny and delicate. They are common on our property, but are easily missed. Lace Cactus (Echinocereus reichenbachii) are at most about six inches tall and these were only about 3 inches. I used my extension tubes to get really close and show the striking, repeating, geometric patterns formed by the needles and the spherical body.

Lace Cactus

The Naturescapes Exhibition is showing at the San Marcos Activity Center through November 8th. Please drop by and see all 60 images. You won’t be disappointed.