The 12th Annual Nature Photo Contest Begins! Every year in September, the Friends of Hagerman Photo Club sponsor a nature-themed photo contest. For a small fee per photo, photographers may enter as many photos as they wish. All photographers are invited to participate in the contest, regardless of age or skill level. Divisions include Beginner and Intermediate/Advanced: all photographers, including youth, are welcome! Ribbons will be awarded for First, Second, and Third place in each of four categories and in both divisions (Beginner and Advanced/Intermediate). In addition, a cash prize will be awarded for First Place in each category, and the photos judged as “Best of Show” and “Youth Best in Show”. Winners will be determined by a panel of judges, who will review the submitted photos without reference to entrant name. Winners’ photographs will be displayed at the Refuge Visitor Center (when it opens) and published on the Friends of Hagerman website, Facebook page and other venues. The Nature Photo Contest Committee will coordinate and conduct the contest for the Refuge and the Friends of Hagerman NWR. Note:
Complete Rules and Directions for Contest Entry Have a look at the Winners of 2020! |
Dickcissel Pout by Lee Hatfield 2015 Photo Contest Entrant |
Notice: Due to the Coronavirus, the Visitor Center remains closed. Refuge lands remain open to the public from sunrise to sunset daily. Restrooms are located at Goode Day Use Area, the Visitor Center, Big Mineral Day Use Area and Sandy Point Day Use Area. |
Interesting Bird Sightings: There have been some interesting and some rare sightings at the refuge in recent days: a Wood Stork, a Curlew Sandpiper and a Roseate Spoonbill |
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Second Saturday: Fish Ecology in Lake Texoma
Saturday, September 11 at 10:00AM Online via ZOOM, Registration Required
Have you ever wondered what fish call Lake Texoma home and why? Well, Tim Patton will be discussing several broad components that are necessary to understand a “bigger picture” of the factors that affect the ecology of a reservoir and the fishes that live there. He will cover watershed concepts, some basic limnology (the study of the biological, chemical, and physical features of lakes), and how these factors affect fish and fish interactions.
Tim Patton has been a professor of Fisheries and Wildlife Science at Southeastern Oklahoma State University since 1998 and served as an adjunct faculty at the University of Oklahoma Biological Station. He received a B.S. in Fisheries and Wildlife Management from Arkansas Tech University, followed by an M.S. and a Ph.D. in Zoology and Physiology from the University of Wyoming. His research and teaching interests have been primarily in aquatic ecology, especially as it applies to the conservation of fish, amphibians, and reptiles.
Photo by Tim PattonNext Month, on October 9th: Shorebirds with Wayne Meyer
Friends of Hagerman Photo Club Presents:
Storm Chasing with Anita Oakley
Saturday, September 18th at 1:00 PM Online via ZOOM (Registration Required)
Would you like to take great photos of a storm? Well, Anita Oakley will talk about why she chases storms, how to prepare for a chase and safety. She will share images from her three years chasing between Texas and South Dakota and cover her equipment and shooting strategy. For those who are interested in trying to chase, she will offer suggestions for getting started.
Anita Oakley has always loved photography and has been drawn to nature and wildlife. Once her children were grown, she resumed her hobby, took classes, and got serious about it. She is now building a professional reputation, having been published on the Joseph Van Os Photo Safaris website, in Nature Photographer magazine, and on the Nature Photographer Web. She has a good following on Instagram as @anitaophotos.
Business trips took her to India, Australia, Germany, South Africa, and England – and she got hooked on travel. So the logical progression was to marry her passions for photography and travel. She has shot puffins in Iceland, polar bears in Svalbard, cheetahs in Kenya. In 2019 she started chasing severe weather in the Plains states, and she can’t wait for the 2022 chase season.
| Puddles' Craft Corner Let's Make an Owl By Cindy Steele |
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Welcome back to Puddles’ Craft Corner. Whooooo doesn’t love owls? They’re mysterious, nocturnal hunters who have captured our imaginations for centuries. Owls are beautiful, mysterious, intriguing, fierce, spooky, and cute. If you’ve ever spied this nighttime animal, you know that the owl has big, curious eyes and makes a unique “hoot” sound. Owls are most famous for their wise appearance, because their intelligent eyes glow and they stare so intensely. You may be surprised to learn that owls are very interesting creatures, and there is a lot to learn about their mysterious ways. They do a lot more than just hoot all night long!Education Pavilion Update |
| Construction of the Education Pavilion was set back from the heavy rains earlier this month but this week (week of August 30) activity picked back up. The structure’s frame should be complete by mid-week followed by the painting of that structure. The roof, walls and trim could be completed as early as next week.
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Updated, Weekly Census Results By Master Naturalist Jack Chiles, Mike Petrick and Dr. Wayne Meyer (Pictured Right)
Each Tuesday a team of experienced birders, including Master Naturalist Jack Chiles, traverse 35 miles of refuge roads and hiking trails, documenting every bird they encounter. This Bird Census is reported to The Cornell Lab of Ornithology for use in research, and each week we will bring you a link to their actual bird count, and a summary of their adventures. |
 
Kroger: Stop by the customer service desk at Kroger and link your Kroger Card to the Friends of Hagerman: the Friends will get rewards for every dollar you spend, at no cost to you. |
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To Our Contributors: Jack Chiles, Cindy Steele, Mike Grubb Refuge Manager: Kathy Whaley Deputy Refuge Manager: Paul Balkenbush Editor: Patricia Crain Friends of Hagerman NWR Foundation 6465 Refuge Road, Sherman, TX 75092 Phone: 903-786-2826 www.facebook.com/FOHNWR |
