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The Texas Hill Country is a scenic region known for its diverse wildlife, clear springs, expansive rural landscapes, historic towns, and some of the starriest night skies in the country. However, rapid population growth and increased development put these qualities at risk. Each year, the Hill Country Alliance (HCA) holds a photo contest to encourage photographers to capture the essence of the Texas Hill Country and inspire preservation efforts.
This year, the 2024 Hill Country Alliance Photo Contest attracted over 550 entries, showcasing enchanting wildlife, vast fields of wildflowers, and other breathtaking landscapes. A panel of judges selected four winning photographs, which are featured in HCA’s 2025 Texas Hill Country Calen- dar, now available on the HCA website.
Sunsets were the dominant subject of this year's winners, with the grand prize and first runner-up both highlighting the region's vibrant skies. Grand prize winner Jesus Corona’s “Sunset” captures a field of wildflowers at dusk in Bexar County, while Gary T. Ray’s “Gruene Nights” received first runner-up for its striking pink sky over the small town of Gruene. Sunsets, with their fleeting beauty, serve as a reminder of the natural world’s wonders— and the delicate balance of the Hill Country’s environment, especially during ongoing drought conditions. HCA’s water program emphasizes the need to protect precious resources like clear, flowing springs.
The second runnerup, Bill Weekley’s “Danger in the Wildflowers,” is a close-up of a rattlesnake in Kerr County, and third place went to Mike Zarella’s “Gray Fox up a Tree” in Blanco County. These photographs and others submitted to the contest remind viewers of their connection to the Hill Country’s intricate ecosystem, underscoring HCA’s mission to promote conservation and land stewardship.
HCA also acknowledges the following photographers whose work is featured in the 2025 Hill Country Calendar: Airon Mothershed, Alan Zhou, Ashley Campbell, Aspen McCallum, Baba Arimilli, Carol Serur, Carolyn Whiteside, Daniel Gomez, Delaney Kempf, Donna Chance, Elvis Canoy, Gary Sertich, Jackie Wise, Jacob Saunders, Jeff Newton, Jennifer Bauerkemper, Jess Brown, Joseph Richards, JP Sanchez, Katherine Carvajal, Kim Smith, Lisa Hood, Matthew Guthrie, Meghan James, Michael Tidwell, Michael Wight, Nicky Scott, P. Michael Jones, Patty Robertson, Paul Huchton, Shelby Sckittone, Steffen Baumgart, Stephen Isenhower, Tim Speer, and William Shelton, who won the People’s Choice Award.
The Hill Country Alliance is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the open spaces, starry skies, clean water, and unique character of the Texas Hill Country.
The 2025 Texas Hill Country Calendar is available for $15 and makes an ideal holiday gift. To purchase, visit hillcountryalliance. org.
