Focusing on Wildlife, One Photo at a Time

LOCAL NON-PROFIT PRESERVES AND PROTECTS WILDLIFE BY RAISING AWARENESS THROUGH PHOTOGRAPHY

BY: JACQUELINE GONZALEZ PHOTOS PROVIDED BY: WILDLIFE IN FOCUS

Taking photographs is an opportunity to capture life’s most magical moments, and Wildlife in Focus, a non-profit organization, supports its mission to preserve and protect the native wildlife and their habitats in South Texas with a bi-annual photography contest.

What began as a regular photo contest 21 years ago has evolved into an event that not only uses photography to educate the community about wildlife and their habitats, but also allows the organization to work with private landowners to provide the canvas for these incredible images taken by photographers from all over the United States and other parts of the world.

The bi-annual event features a highly anticipated photo contest on odd years, and the creation of a glossy, full-color, action-filled photo book on even years. Marissa Ford, Executive Director of Wildlife in Focus, describes the photography process as “unique and not for the average person” due to the intense conditions required to capture the essence of wildlife — such as “crawling in the mud, laying in ant nests and dealing with chiggers as they crawl all over the place to get the perfect shot.”

The books, which can be ordered online, provide information about the location, landowner and species for each image, and offer aspiring photographers an inside look at camera angles with proof of the magic they create. However, they also serve a greater purpose beyond the eye-catching photo spreads: The spectacle on each page allows people to reconnect with the land and wildlife of the region, and to bring knowledge of South Texas wildlife and habitats into the classroom.

Five years after Wildlife in Focus was born, it was joined by Kritters 4 Kids, an educational program now in over 300 schools in the Coastal Bend area. The curriculum, which is aligned with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, teaches the natural sciences and explains the significant ecological systems that are unique to Texas. The hope is that by showing students what is happening in their backyard, they will gain a greater appreciation of what is at stake from a conservation standpoint.

Each photo contest also forms the basis for a traveling exhibit — featured in local museums such as the Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History and the Coastal Bend Community College in Beeville — whose unique photography garners lots of attention and sends books flying off the shelves wherever it lands.

The Coastal Bend has a lot to offer when it comes to the ecosystem, and joining the mission to bring awareness to our native wildlife is crucial work. Even those of us who aren’t expert

Downtown Live

header photo by RACHEL BENAVIDES garden project inspiration and products. Peruse a variety of displays including breathtaking gardens, landscapes, water features, pools, outdoor living and hardscapes, interior design, the latest trends and more. SHOWTECHNOLOGY.COM

March 5

Spring Drag Brunch

Get your brunch on with Isis Paris York and a star-studded lineup of entertainment including emcee Gemini B. York at House of Rock.

Attendees will enjoy a brunch buffet from 11 a.m. to noon as well as door prizes and giveaways. Individual and table tickets are available online.

TEXASHOUSEOFROCK.COM

March 11

CORPUS CHRISTI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA GRAND FINALE! CARMINA BURANA

Experience the thrilling conclusion to a spectacular season of the Corpus Christi Symphony Orchestra with its Grand Finale at the TAMUCC Performing Arts Center. "Carmina Burana" by Carl Orff is one the most famous pieces ever for choir, soloists and orchestra. Tickets are available online and at the box office on the night of the event.

CCSYMPHONY.ORG whole family at the 5th Annual Corpus Christi Wine Festival at Heritage Park. Enjoy food trucks, face painting, local artists and vendors, goat yoga and live music from Stoney LaRue, Triston Marez and Mobley. Tickets are available online.

CORPUSCHRISTIWINEFESTIVAL.COM

March 17-18

4th Annual Rockport Crawfish Cookoff And Tasting

Get ready for the 4th Annual Rockport Crawfish Cook-Off and Tasting in a new location — in Downtown Rockport at 1204 East Market St. Make plans to attend this family-friendly event with an impressive lineup

MARCH 2023 of live music, all-you-can-eat crawfish, cold drinks and a crawfish eating contest. Tickets are available online.

March 30

Opening Night Of Drinking Habits At The Port Aransas Community Theatre

Accusations, mistaken identities and romances run wild in this traditional, laugh-out-loud farce, which you can see at the Port Aransas Community Theatre on Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. The show will run through April 16 and tickets are available online.

March 23

The Adventures Of Prince Achmed And Invoke

The Adventures of Prince Achmed, a film by silhouette animation pioneer Lotte Reiniger, will be featured on the TAMU-CC Performing Arts Center’s new video screen while original music is performed live by Invoke. The multi-instrumental band encompasses traditions from across America, including bluegrass, Appalachian fiddle tunes, jazz and minimalism. Tickets are available online. TAMUCC.EDU

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