Aransas County Photo Contest 2007-2008

Thanks to all the entrants who participated. We received hundreds of photos and it was quite a job selecting the winners from all the fine photos.

You can click on the small images below to see the full-size version of the photos. The winners are as follows:

Overall Winner - $1000 Prize - Carol Goldstein, Setauket, NY


Sunset Boats in Harbor


Carol Goldstein

I began taking pictures after I retired from teaching. Every New Years, my husband and our friends look for places that are both photogenic and fun to go. Last year we went to Aransas-Rockport-Fulton. We stayed at the Lighthouse Inn, and from dawn to dusk took pictures all over this lovely area. We went to the Horace Caldwell Bridge, took a boat ride through the refuge to see the whopping cranes and spent time in the inlet near Off the Hook Restaurant watching and photographing the fishermen and birds. The last night I was there the sky was so beautiful, my husband and I walked down to the harbor to do out last “shooting”. The oystermen had come in and I was lucky to have caught this wonderful scene.
What impressed me was the understanding your community has about the co-existence of nature, commerce, and tourism. I am thrilled to have won this award and look forward in returning with my friends and camera to your beautiful area.

Carol Goldstein, Setauket, NY

Birds & Nature Category Winner - $500 Prize - Lee Stickle, Shawnee, KS


Spoonbill & Whistling Ducks



Lee Stickle
The picture was taken in March, My parents live at Woody Acres in Fulton, the park has several small ponds. The Whistler's are sort of permanent residents of the ponds along with some geese, I was so surprised to see the Rosette with the Whistlers, the contrast in color was just spectacular. I was fortunate enough to have the camera out and was able to get the picture. We visit Texas each Spring and marvel at the birds and other wildlife we see!

Lee Stickle, Shawnee, KS

People/Attractions Category Winner - $500 Prize - Kristi Beabout, Seguin, TX


I'm Gonna Splash You!


Kristi Beabout
 

Trips to Rockport are always exciting, especially for my nephew, Walker. He loves Rockport Beach because the water is shallow and calm and the beach is covered with sand he can dig in. He is also facinated by all the shells and the baby fish in the water. At the moment I captured this photo he was trying to spalsh me with a bucket full of water; luckily, I was able to get the camera out of the way before the water reached it.

Photographer: Kristi Beabout
Subject: Walker, Kristi's 3-year-old nephew
Location: Rockport Beach
Date: September 2008
Photo Titile: "I'm Gonna Splash You" as the subject said this just before the picture was taken.

Kristi Beabout, Seguin, TX

Fishing Category Winner - $500 Prize - Carol Serur, San Marcos, TX


Fish Line-Up


Carol Serur
I am thrilled that you selected my "not so pretty" fish line-up photograph. My husband was invited to fish with our friend who has a house on Fulton Beach Road. I was waiting with my camera for them to return from their outing in Aransas Bay, hoping they would have something to show off. They came in with these Speckled Trout, and were happy to line up their catch for this photo. (They just thought they were in the photo, too!)

We have fallen in love with Rockport and Fulton. We first started going there regularly about 3 years ago to see the Whooping Cranes and would stay only a couple of days each visit. Each time we left the area, we were sad to leave, so we decided to spend an extended time recently. We just spent one month in a condo on Little Bay. It was wonderful! We love the small town atmosphere and the many fun events Rockport and Fulton have to offer, not to mention the fantastic photographic opportunities. Besides birding and fishing, we have taken up kayaking, and Little Bay is a great place to launch our kayaks. We missed seeing the whooping cranes and other winter visitors, so we hope to return soon.

Thank you again for selecting my photograph!

Carol Serur, San Marcos, Texas

Honorable Mention

These folks submitted photos that were so good we felt we needed to share them. 


Kristi Beabout
Seguin, TX

 
Kristi Beabout
Seguin, TX
Sande Bilton
Victoria, TX

Kathy D'Amico
Monica Cuellar
Kathy D'Amico

Wendy Dow
Conroe, TX
Paul Flagg
 
Gary Felker
Ft. Smith, AR

Stan Goldberg
Louisville, KY
Carol Goldstein
Suffolk County, NY
Sue McCloud
Independence, MO

Jim Nies
Whitewater, WI
Jim Nies
Whitewater, WI
Hannah Ruiz
Seguin, TX

Carolyn Whiteside
San Marcos, TX
Carolyn Whiteside
San Marcos, TX
Carolyn Whiteside
San Marcos, TX

Carolyn Whiteside
San Marcos, TX
Carolyn Whiteside
San Marcos, TX

All Photographs are the Property of the Rockport-Fulton Area Chamber of Commerce. Reproduction thereof is Strictly Prohibited.

Click Here to View the 2006 Photo Contest Winners