Photographers have until Wednesday, September 5 to turn in their entries in the 2012 Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge Photo Contest.  Rules and Entry information are now online for the third annual contest, at www.friendsofhagerman.com/Gallery.  The contest, which is sponsored by The Friends of Hagerman, is open to all interested photographers; however, photos submitted may not have been taken before 2010, and must have been taken at Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge. 

Photo categories to be judged are Wildlife, Flora and Macro, Landscape, Artistic, and Youth.  Winner will be determined by a three judge panel who will not know the identities of the photographers.  Winners will be announced on October 13.  The top three winners in each category will receive ribbons and a cash prize will go to the Best in Show.  Winning photos will be displayed at the Refuge Visitor Center and displayed on the Friends website.

In addition to the contest, Hagerman NWR and the Friends offer a variety of activities for photographers.  The Nature Photography Club meets at the Refuge bimonthly for technical programs and photo sharing.   The next meeting will be September 8, at 12:30 pm, and guests are welcome.

The Photographer of the Month for August, Ben Salisbury, is also being featured this month on the Facebook page for the National Wildlife Refuge System.  Beginning over four years ago, virtual albums on the Friends website have featured a different Photographer of the Month, showcasing everything from landscapes to wildlife to macro shots taken at the Refuge.  Small group photo shoots are held twice yearly.    Details on all of these programs are online at www.friendsofhagerman.com or can be obtained by emailing fohphotoclub@gmail.com.  Hagerman NWR is located at 6465 Refuge Road, Sherman, TX, 75092, on the Big Mineral Arm of Lake Texoma.