Tag: wildlife

7th Annual Digital Photography Contest

The 2024 Pagosa Springs Photography Club Digital Photography Contest is now open for entries. The Contest is open to all Photography Club members in good standing. New or renewing members may join the Club at the time they enter the contest. The submission deadline is October 9, 2024, and prizes will be presented at an Awards Celebration on November 13. As in previous years, members may submit up to 6 photos (2 per category) for a flat fee of $10.  You only need to submit your digital image files, not prints. The top three images in each category will receive ribbons and cash prizes at the Awards Celebration, and all entries will be displayed at that time. There will be “People’s Choice” voting on the images entered, as well.

This year there will be three categories: Nature (landscapes, wildlife, flowers, etc); Portraits (which may be of people, pets, or other domestic animals), and Manmade/Other, (architecture, trains and cars, street photography, abstract, etc.) See below to obtain the contest guidelines and entry form. 

If you haven’t entered the contest previously, this is a great opportunity to get feed back, both from the judge and from other Club members, about your images. Our goal with this contest is not only to recognize members for their talent, but also to encourage everyone to share their best work with the group. So select your best images and submit them!

For contest guidelines, and directions on entering your images, click here . The guidelines have instructions on how and where to submit your files. Then, download a contest entry form here: https://pagosaspringsphotoclub.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/2024-pspc-contest-entry.pdf and fill it out with your entries. Note: you should be able to fill in the information on the entry form using the text tool of Adobe Acrobat Reader or Mac Preview. The best way to submit your images is to use the Dropbox link in the entry form, but you may also bring entries on a flash drive to the PSPC Sept 11 or Oct 9 meetings. 

Bosque Outing, Dec 2023

Several members of the Photography Club spent Dec 10-13, 2023 on a Club outing in Socorro, NM. We photographed at nearby Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge and at Ladd S Gordon Waterfowl Complex, at Bernardo. These refuges are wintering areas for waterfowl, including Snow Geese and Sandhill Cranes. This year, there was a new pond at Bernardo, which succeeded in attracting large numbers of waterfowl.There were thousands of birds, good blast-offs at the “Flight Deck”, mammals, and spectacular sunrises and sunsets. Overall, another fun and productive outing.

Here are a few sample images from Club members Adrienne Disbrow, Dave Anderson, Andy Butler, and Doug Coombs. Click on any image to view a larger version, navigate through using your arrow keys.

Wildlife from Bosque del Apache and Ladd Gordon

Pandas & Conservation Photography, April 12

Giant Panda on 2 Tree Trunks, © Katherine Feng

The April meeting of the Pagosa Springs Photography Club will be held on Wednesday, April 12, 6:30 p.m., at the Community United Methodist Church, 434 Lewis Street in Pagosa Springs. Our speaker this month is Katherine Feng. Katherine’s presentation will be on Using Conservation Photography to Help Save Endangered Species. 

Katherine Feng is a retired veterinarian who devotes her photography to protecting China’s endangered species and their habitat.  Katherine is a Senior Fellow of the prestigious International League of Conservation Photography.  

Katherine spent 6-9 months a year for 4-1/2 years in China’s Wolong Nature Reserve documenting the work of staff and researchers to save the giant pandas from extinction.  Her images have been published internationally in calendars, books, National Geographic, Paris Match and numerous conservation magazines. Her giant panda images are featured in the children’s book, Panda Kindergarten.

Waving Panda, © Katherine Feng

Katherine will present a program on how she approaches conservation photography to educate the public about wildlife, their habitat and people’s efforts to protect them.  She works closely with the different nature reserves in China where she donates her images for conservation purposes.

Katherine’s presentation will feature photos of China’s giant and lesser pandas as well as the lesser-known snub-nosed monkeys and the critically endangered black-crested gibbons and white-headed langurs. The presentation will also be available by Zoom; for Zoom information contact Andy Butler at abutler@mac.com. 

The Pagosa Springs Photography Club sponsors educational programs and outings to help photographers develop their skills. Photography Club members learn from one another and build their networks. The Club welcomes photographers of all skill levels. Dues for 2023 are just $25 ($35 family). For more information about the club, and to download a membership application, visit our website at https://pagosaspringsphotoclub.org/about/ .

March 8 Meeting: The Magic of Africa

Lioness carrying Cub, Beth Tollefsen

The next meeting of the Pagosa Springs Photography Club will be held on Wednesday, March 8, 6:30 p.m., at the Community United Methodist Church, 434 Lewis Street in Pagosa Springs. Our topic this month is The Magic of Africa, presented by Pagosa Springs based photographer Beth Tollefsen. This will be a hybrid meeting, also available on Zoom. The Zoom link will be emailed to members; others who wish to attend by Zoom may request the link by email to abutler@mac.com. If attending in person, feel free to arrive any time after 6 p.m. for socializing; the actual presentation will begin at 6:30 p.m., MST. Photography Club meetings are open to the public.

Beth Tollefsen has photographed extensively in the American West and in East Africa. According to Beth,  after one visit to Kenya she was hooked, falling in love with the people, land and of course the animals of Africa.

Being on safari in the heart of the African bush is one of the few places left to experience nature that is still raw and wild.  

Elephant, by Beth Tollefsen
Cheetah, by Beth Tollefsen

According to Beth, “It does not matter if you are new to photography or a seasoned photographer, you will come home with images that you will treasure.  It is hard to explain the feeling when you watch the bonds between mother and baby.  Lions live in a pride and it is quite evident the love and respect they have for each other.  You will see them eating, sleeping, playing grooming and simply showing affection for each other.  The elephants are such intelligent family oriented animals.  Then there are the zebra, wildebeest, impala, giraffe, rhinos, hippos, buffalo, colorful birds and the very entertaining baboons and monkeys!  Just too many animals to name them all!”

It is Beth’s hope that the images she shares will bring awareness of the lives of animals and the heart and soul they each have and why it is important to protect the wild areas that sustain these magnificent creatures. 

Beth will share photos from three trips, two to Kenya and one to Zimbabwe.  She will touch on the different types of safaris available, what to expect, and what to look for if you choose to take a trip of a lifetime to Africa.  

The Pagosa Springs Photography Club promotes educational, social and fun interactions between all who enjoy making and viewing great photography.  The club sponsors educational programs and outings to help photographers hone their skills.  The Photography Club’s membership year begins in January. We welcome photographers of all skill levels. Dues for 2023 are just $25 ($35 family). For more information about the club, and to download a membership application, visit our website at https://pagosaspringsphotoclub.org/about/ .

Wildlife Photography in the San Juan Mountains

American Pika Exhaling, © Deirdre Rosenberg

The November meeting of the Pagosa Springs Photography Club will be held on Wednesday, November 9, 6:30 p.m., at the Community United Methodist Church, 434 Lewis Street in Pagosa Springs. Our tuopic this month is Wildlife Photography in the San Juan Mountains, presented by Deirdre Rosenberg. This will be a hybrid meeting, also available on Zoom. The Zoom link will be emailed to members; others who wish to attend may request the link by email to abulter@mac.com . If attending in person, feel free to arrive any time after 6 p.m. for socializing; the actual presentation will begin at 6:30 p.m., MST. 

Deirdre Rosenberg is a wildlife photographer with a deep passion for the alpine environment. Her work with alpine and subalpine wildlife shines a light on how our changing climate and growing outdoor recreation impacts these beings and the ecosystems they call home. When Deirdre isn’t in the high mountains, she is working closely with red fox to visualize their dynamic family structures  and how they fit into our changing planet. Deirdre resides near Pagosa Springs in the rugged San Juan Mountains with her husband and dog. In her presentation, Deirdre will show and discuss some of her stunning images of the wildlife that make the San Juan Mountains their home, including Pika, Mountain Goats, and Red Fox. To see more of Deirdre’s photography, visit here website at https://www.deirdredenaliphotography.com . 

Following the presentation, members may share up to five of their recent images with the group. If attending by Zoom, please submit these by Tuesday, Nov 8. They may be emailed to abutler@mac.com. If attending in person, images may be brought on a flash drive.

The Pagosa Springs Photography Club promotes educational, social and fun interactions between all who enjoy making and viewing great photography.  The club sponsors educational programs and outings to help photographers hone their skills.  The Photography Club’s membership year begins in January. Dues are at $25 per year ($35 family). For more information about the club, and to download a membership application, visit our website at https://pagosaspringsphotoclub.org/about/ .

Wildlife Photography in the San Juan Mountains

American Pika Exhaling, © Deirdre Rosenberg

The March meeting of the Pagosa Springs Photography Club will be held on Wednesday, March 9, 6:30 p.m., at the Community United Methodist Church, 434 Lewis Street in Pagosa Springs. Our topic this month is Wildlife Photography in the San Juan Mountains, presented by Deirdre Rosenberg. This will be a hybrid meeting, also available on Zoom. The Zoom link will be emailed to members; others who wish to attend may request the link by email to abulter@mac.com . If attending in person, feel free to arrive any time after 6 p.m.; the actual presentation will begin at 6:30 p.m., MST. 

Deirdre Rosenberg is a wildlife photographer with a deep passion for the alpine environment. Her work with alpine and subalpine wildlife shines a light on how our changing climate and growing outdoor recreation impacts these beings and the ecosystems they call home. When Deirdre isn’t in the high mountains, she is working closely with red fox to visualize their dynamic family structures  and how they fit into our changing planet. Deirdre resides in the rugged San Juan Mountains with her husband and dog. In her presentation, Deirdre will show and discuss some of her stunning images of the wildlife that make the San Juan Mountains their home, including Pika, Mountain Goats, and Red Fox. To see more of Deirdre’s photography, visit here website at https://www.deirdredenaliphotography.com . 

Following the presentation, members may share up to five of their recent images with the group. If attending by Zoom, please submit these by Tuesday, March 8. They may be emailed to abutler@mac.com. If attending in person, images may be brought on a flash drive.

The Pagosa Springs Photography Club promotes educational, social and fun interactions between all who enjoy making and viewing great photography.  The club sponsors educational programs and outings to help photographers hone their skills.  The Photography Club’s membership year begins in January. For new members, dues are at $25 per year ($35 family). For more information about the club, and to download a membership application, visit our website at https://pagosaspringsphotoclub.org/about/ .

(This presentation will be rescheduled for later this year!)