Hagerman Announces Photographer of the Month for January 2014

The Friends of Hagerman begin the seventh year of the popular Photographer

Majestic Fisherman

of the Month program with Jillian M. Duquaine-Watson  as January, 2014, Photographer of the Month.

Dr. Duquaine-Watson, a professor in the School of Interdisciplinary Studies at the University of Texas at Dallas, will have a virtual album of twelve photographs taken at Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge featured on the Friends website this month, at friendsofhagerman.com/Gallery.

Dr. Jillian, as she is known by her students, first became interested in photography during her high school years in Wisconsin, taking and printing her own images using traditional 35mm film and darkroom techniques.  In recent years, her attention has migrated to the realm of digital photography. She is especially interested in the ways in which photography can be used as a tool of social change, an interest that extends to both her professional and personal lives. She is a full-time faculty member at The University of Texas at Dallas where her academic offerings include, “Documentary Photography: History, Politics, and Impacts,” a course which examines how photography is used to create awareness and promote various actions in order to address such issues as environmental degradation, child mortality, and genocide.

On a personal level, she engages in photography as a type of meditation, a contemplative practice that enables her to better understand and appreciate the nuances of the world, especially the natural world and human relationships.

Duquaine-Watson  discovered  Hagerman NWR several years ago while doing an online search for places to hike with her daughters.  She visits the refuge regularly, approximately 7-8 times every year, and especially enjoys visiting the refuge during springtime and also in fall. She is a loyal Nikon user and especially enjoys exploring the realm of macro images.
In addition to Photographer of the Month, the Nature Photography Club offers bimonthly meeting for those interested in nature photography.  The next meeting is set for Saturday, January 11, at 12:30 pm, at the Refuge.  Dr. Wayne Meyer will present the program, on the uses of photography in wildlife research.  Visitors are welcome to attend, free of charge; there are nominal dues for membership.

Lake Texoma Parks and refuge areas are wonderful sites to enjoy the great outdoors and provide excellent oppurtunities for birders and photographers to capture the beauty of nature.  For more information on places to visit and things to do in the Lake Texoma area, visit www.texomaconnect.com.