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FeatherFest Photo Contest Week 1 Winner Announced

FeatherFest Photo Contest

Week 1 Winner Announced

Last Updated: March 21, 2024 by Lee Roane | Events, Birding


It’s an exciting time for birders on Galveston Island!

Our migratory friends from Central and South America are beating wings across the Gulf of Mexico for a stop on the island while area birders are participating in the annual FeatherFest Birding & Nature Photography Festival that happens April 18-21.

The birding festival is preceded by a Photo Contest, where serious and casual photographers show off their best shots and compete for the Grand Prize.  The week one winners were just announced.  For more contest details, click here

The 2024 winning photos plus more are below, if you are looking for some inspiration.

If you are heading to the island for some of the action, check out our Birding Guide for information on What You Might Find, Where To Look, and When To Come.

2024 Winners

Ruby-throated Hummingbird by Dan Lotan

Look Behind You

This Ruby-throated Hummingbird photo was taken by Dan Lotan in Chambers County.  It won 1st Place in the 2024 Week 1 contest.

Cooper's Hawk by Joseph Smith

Cooper’s Hawk Staring at Me

This Cooper’s Hawk photo was taken by Joseph Smith in Harris County.  It won 2nd Place in the 2024 Week 1 contest.

Great Horned Owl by Karl Hoeffner

Watching Patiently

This Great Horned Owl photo was taken by Karl Hoeffner in Brzoria County.  It won 3rd Place in the 2024 Week 1 contest.

Great Horned Owl by Andrew McCullough

Great Horned Owl on Nest

This Great Horned Owl photo was taken by Andrew McCullough in Fort Bend County.  It won Honorable Mention in the 2024 Week 1 contest.

2023 Winners

Green Heron by Andrew McCullough

Green Heron Fishing

This Green Heron photo was taken by Andrew McCullough in Fort Bend County.  It won Grand Prize and 1st Place in the 2023 Week 4 contest.

Northern Mockingbird by Stan Bravenec

Mockingbird Gathering Nesting Material

This Northern Mockingbird photo was taken by Stan Bravenec in Brazoria County.  It won 2nd Place in the 2023 Week 4 contest.

Brown Pelican by Jeffery Schaberg

Escape Hatch

This Brown Pelican photo was taken by Jeffery Schaberg in Harris County.  It won 3rd Place in the 2023 Week 4 contest.

Belted Kingfisher by Ray Bednar

Kingfisher with Breakfast

This Belted Kingfisher photo was taken by Ray Bednar in Galveston County.  It won Honorable Mention in the 2023 Week 4 contest.

Cooper's Hawk by Julie Chapa

Breakfast of Champions

This Cooper’s Hawk photo was taken by Julie Chapa in Brazoria County.  It won 1st Place in the 2023 Week 3 contest.

Burrowing Owl by Scott Meyer

Morning Lookout

This Burrowing Owl photo was taken by Scott Meyer in Chambers County.  It won 2nd Place in the 2023 Week 3 contest.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird by Dan Lotan

Coneflower Snack

This Ruby-throated Hummingbird photo was taken by Dan Lotan in Harris County.  It won 3rd Place in the 2023 Week 3 contest.

Cedar Waxwing by Steve Schuenke

Cedar Waxwing Profile

This Cedar Waxwing photo was taken by Steve Schuenke in Harris County.  It won Honorable Mention in the 2023 Week 3 contest.

Summer Tanager by Kevin McDonald

Don’t Bee Late for Dinner

This Summer Tanager photo was taken by Kevin McDonald in Galveston County.  It won 1st Place in the 2023 Week 2 contest.

Black-necked Stilt by Scott Meyer

Young Black-necked Stilt

This Black-necked Stilt photo was taken by Andrew McCullough in Fort Bend County.  It won 2nd Place in the 2023 Week 2 contest.

Neotropic Cormorant by Scott Meyer

Neotropic Portrait

This Neotropic Cormorant photo was taken by Scott Meyer in Galveston County.  It won 3rd Place in the 2023 Week 2 contest.

Least Bittern by Andrew McCullough

Hunting Least Bittern

This Least Bittern photo was taken by Andrew McCullough at Brazos Bend State Park.  It won 1st Place in the 2023 Week 1 contest.

Reddish Egret by Mike Williams

Catch of the Day

This Reddish Egret photo was taken by Mike Williams in Montgomery County.  It won 2nd Place in the 2023 Week 1 contest.

Great Egret by Deborah Repasz

Lola

This Great Egret photo was taken by Deborah Repasz in Chambers County.  It won 3rd Place in the 2023 Week 1 contest.

Crested Caracara by Ed Ferrin

Crested Caracara in the Rain

This Crested Caracara photo was taken by Ed Ferrin in Galveston County.  It won Honorable Mention in the 2023 Week 1 contest.

2022 Winners

Willet by Julie Chapa

Finding Balance

This Willet photo was taken by Julie Chapa in Galveston.  It won Grand Prize and 1st Place in the 2022 Week 4 contest.

Chuck-wills-widow by Scott Meyer

A Little Peak

This Chuck-will’s-widow photo was taken by Scott Meyer at High Island.  It won 2nd Place in the 2022 Week 4 contest.

Great Egret by Dan Lotan

Fresh Catch

This Great Egret photo was taken by Dan Lotan in Cypress.  It won 3rd Place in the 2022 Week 4 contest.

Snowy Egret by Karl Hoeffner

Picking Up Some Breakfast

This Snowy Egret photo was taken by Karl Hoeffner at Exploration Green in Clear Lake.  It won Honorable Mention in the 2022 Week 4 contest.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird by Dan Lotan

Coneflower Dip

This Ruby-throated Hummingbird photo was taken by Dan Lotan in Cypress, Texas.  It won 1st Place in the 2022 Week 3 contest.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird by Joseph V Smith

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

This Ruby-throated Hummingbird photo was taken by Joseph V. Smith at Kleb Woods Nature Center, Tomball, TX.  It won 2nd Place in the 2022 Week 3 contest.

Great Horned Owl by Lea Safley

Still Life in Camo

This Great Horned Owl photo was taken by Lea Safley at Brazos Bend State Park.  It won 3rd Place in the 2022 Week 3 contest.

Bald Eagle by Debbie Stuck

Soaring

This Bald Eagle photo was taken by Debbie Stuck in Webster, TX.  It won Honorable Mention in the 2022 Week 3 contest.


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Brown-headed Nuthatch by Scott Meyer

Emerging from the Nest

This Brown-headed Nuthatch photo was taken by Scott Meyer in Kingwood, Texas.  It won 1st Place in the 2022 Week 2 contest.

Blue Grossbeak by Karl Hoeffner

Blue Grosbeak

This Blue Grosbeak photo was taken by Karl Hoeffner in Crosby, Texas. It won 2nd Place in the 2022 Week 2 contest.

Roseate Spoonbill by Stephen Mayeux

Roseate Spoonbill in Flight

This Roseate Spoonbill photo was taken by Stephen Mayeux at Smith Oaks.  It won 3rd Place in the 2022 Week 2 contest.

Rufous Hummingbird by Janet Chung

Hungry Humming Bird

This Rufous Hummingbird photo was taken by Janet Chung in Tomball, Texas.  It won Honorable Mention in the 2022 Week 2 contest.

Great Horned Owls by John Phillips

Three Amigos

This Great Horned Owl photo was taken by John Phillips in Jefferson County. It won 1st Place in the 2022 Week 1 contest.

Prothonotary Warbler by Stephen Mayeux

Open Wide

This Prothonotary Warbler photo was taken by Stephen Mayeux in Sabine Woods.  It won 2nd Place in the 2022 Week 1 contest.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird by Dan Lotan

Morning Glory

This Ruby-throated Hummingbird photo was taken by Dan Lotan in Cypress, Texas.  It won 3rd Place in the 2022 Week 1 contest.

Eastern Bluebird by Karl Hoeffner

Bluebird Out On A Limb

This Eastern Bluebird photo was taken by Karl Hoeffner at Exploration Green in Clear Lake. It won 3rd Place in the 2022 Week 1 contest.


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2021 Winners

In Flight Snack by Dan Lotan

In Flight Snack

This Ruby-throated Hummingbird was taken by Dan Lotan in Cypress, TX.  It won the Grand Prize and 1st Place in the 2021 Week 1 contest.

Lesser Scaup by Gary Seloff

Speed Walking

This Lesser Scaup waw taken by Gary Seloff at Armand Bayou.  It won 1st Place in the 2021 Week 4 contest.

Cedar Waxwing by Mark Doing

Enduring the Great Freeze of ‘21

These Cedar Waxwings were taken by Mark Doing at Copperfield, Harris County.  It won 2nd Place in the 2021 Week 4 contest.

Prothonotary Warbler by Janaki Wallooppillai

Getting Some Sun

This Prothonotary Warbler was taken by Janaki Wallooppillai at Cullinan Park Conservancy.  It won 3rd Place in the 2021 Week 4 contest.

Yellow Warbler by Anthony Louviere

Touch of Yellow

This Yellow Warbler was taken by Anthony Louviere at Galveston.  It won Honorable Mention in the 2021 Week 4 contest.

Green Heron by Gary Seloff

Green Arrow

This Green Heron was taken by Gary Seloff at Galveston.  It won 1st Place in the 2021 Week 3 contest.

Hummer Hover

This Ruby-throated Hummingbird was taken by David Rassin at Lake Madeline, Galveston.  It won 2nd Place in the 2021 Week 3 contest.

Yellow Warbler by Anthony Louviere

Spring Time Arrival

This Yellow Warbler was taken by Anthony Louviere at Galveston.  It won 3rd Place in the 2021 Week 3 contest.

Yellow-crowned Night-Heron by Dan Lotan

Chomp

This Yellow-crowned Night-Heron was taken by Dan Lotan at Galveston.  It won Honorable Mention in the 2021 Week 3 contest.


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Vermilion Flycatcher by Mike Zarella

Vermilion Brilliance

This Vermilion Flycatcher was taken by Mike Zarella at the San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge.  It won 1st Place in the 2021 Week 2 contest.

Green Heron by Dan Lotan

Go Fish

This Green Heron was taken by Dan Lotan at Brazos Bend State Park.  It won 2nd Place in the 2021 Week 2 contest.

Roseate Spoonbill by Stan Bravenec

Roseate Spoonbill

This Roseate Spoonbill was taken by Stan Bravenec at Smith Oaks Rookery.  It won 3rd Place in the 2021 Week 2 contest.

Tricolored Heron by Gary Seloff

Selfie

This Tricolored Heron was taken by Gary Seloff at Horsepen Bayou.  It won Honorable Mention in the 2021 Week 2 contest.


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In Flight Snack by Dan Lotan

In Flight Snack

This Ruby-throated Hummingbird was taken by Dan Lotan in Cypress, TX.  It won the Grand Prize and 1st Place in the 2021 Week 1 contest.

Catbird in Retama by Anthony Louviere

Catbird in Retama

This Gray Catbird was taken by Anthony Louviere in Galveston, TX.  It won 2nd Place in the 2021 Week 1 contest.

Construction Delivery by Brain Fesko

Construction Delivery

This White-faced Ibis was taken by Brian Fesko at Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge.  It won 3rd Place in the 2021 Week 1 contest.

Statuesque Great Egret by Mark Doing

Statuesque Great Egret

This Great Egret was taken by Mark Doing at High Island Smith Oaks Rookery.  It won Honorable Mention in the 2021 Week 1 contest.

2020 Winners

Orchard Oriole by Anthony Louviere

Sitting Pretty

This Orchard Oriole photo was taken by Anthony Louviere on Galveston Island.

Long-billed Curlew by Gary Seloff

Partial Coverage

This Long-billed Curlew photo was taken by Gary Seloff on Bolivar Flats.

Lafitte’s Petite

This Indigo Bunting photo was taken by Barry Hatch at Lafitte’s Cove.

Pelican Portrait

This Brown Pelican photo was taken by Scott Meyer at the Mosquito Fleet Docks in Galveston.  It won first place, week three.

Singing Catbird

This Gray Catbird photo was taken by Anthony Louviere in Galveston.  It won second place, week three.

Red-winged Black Bird by Rose Pool

Holding Tight

This Red-winged Blackbird photo was taken by Rose Pool at the Anahuac Wildlife Refuge.  It won third place, week three.

Forster's Tern by Deborah Repasz

First Date

This Foster’s Tern photo was taken by Deborah Repasz at the Texas City Dike.  It won Honorable Mention, week three.

Reddish Egret by Carlos Guzman

I Spy with My Little Eye

This Reddish Egret (White Morph) photo was taken by Carlos Guzman at the East End Lagoon Nature Preserve. It won first place, week two.

Mississippi Kite by Lynne Hughes

Lunch is Delivered

This Mississippi Kite photo was taken by Lynne Hughes in Sante Fe, Texas. It won second place, week two.


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Cattle Egret by Deborah Repasz

We are Family

This Cattle Egret photo was taken by Deborah Repasz at Resoft Park in Alvin, Texas. It won third place, week two.

Blue-winged Teal by Gary Seloff

Flyby

This Blue-winged Teal photo was taken by Gary Seloff at Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge. It won honorable mention, week two.

Green Heron by Lynne Hughes

Looking Sharp

This little Green Heron photo was taken by Lynne Hughes on Galveston Island. It won first place, week one.


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Great Egret by Gary Seloff

Feather Duster

This Great Egret photo was taken by Gary Seloff at Horsepen Bayou in Harris County. It won second place, week one.

Taking a Drink

This Red-tailed Hawk photo was taken by Sandra Kroeger at the San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge. It won third place, week one.

Magnolia Warbler by Barry Hatch

Magnolia Raindrop

This Magnolia Warbler photo was taken by Barry Hatch at the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge. It won honorable mention, week one.

I hope those photos helped brighten your day. If you are heading to the island for some of the action, check out our Birding Guide for information on What You Might Find, Where To Look, and When To Come.

Lee Roane

Lee Roane has worked on the Galveston.com website since 1994. He is interested in history and birding but will write about anything if he thinks it will help someone enjoy the island.

Lee Roane
2024-03-21T09:47:36-05:00

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