2019 Natural History Photography Contest !
Submissions for the 2019 WGNSS Natural History Photography Contest will begin on January 1st. A bonus category will be included in addition to our four usual categories:
1) Vertebrates
2) Invertebrates
3) Vascular and Nonvascular Plants, Lichens, and Fungi
4) Habitats and Landscapes
5) Travel Photography; for this bonus category, all the general rules of the photo contest will apply except photos do not need to be taken in Missouri & contiguous states. Best of luck getting an amazing photo of that exotic subject!
A great way to get inspiration & ideas for eligible photographs for this contest is by joining the WGNSS Nature Photography Group on a monthly field trip. Look for updates from the group in each issue of Nature Notes, on the WGNSS website and Facebook page!
Nature Photography Group:
August 25, 2018 Saturday – WGNSS Nature Photography Field Trip!
"Photographing slug moth caterpillars (Limacodidae)" with nature photographer Bill Duncan
We are nearing that time of year when the slug moth caterpillars (Limacodidae) are going to be full-sized and ready in all their glorious colors and forms! These creatures make some of the best macro subjects for the nature photographer!
Locations will be scouted two weeks prior, to ensure best possible luck in finding numbers and diversity. The location will will be chosen and shared 5-7 days prior to the trip, but will be within an hour's drive of the city. Hope you will join us!
Interested in participating in WGNSS Nature Photography Group activities?
Send your contact information to Bill Duncan. Visit the WGNSS Nature Photography Group webpage here,
check current Nature Notes, or the WGNSS Facebook page for details and updates!
August 25, 2018 Saturday – WGNSS Nature Photography Field Trip!
"Photographing slug moth caterpillars (Limacodidae)" with nature photographer Bill Duncan
We are nearing that time of year when the slug moth caterpillars (Limacodidae) are going to be full-sized and ready in all their glorious colors and forms! These creatures make some of the best macro subjects for the nature photographer!
Locations will be scouted two weeks prior, to ensure best possible luck in finding numbers and diversity. The location will will be chosen and shared 5-7 days prior to the trip, but will be within an hour's drive of the city. Hope you will join us!
Interested in participating in WGNSS Nature Photography Group activities?
Send your contact information to Bill Duncan. Visit the WGNSS Nature Photography Group webpage here,
check current Nature Notes, or the WGNSS Facebook page for details and updates!
Friendly reminder of WGNSS DUES RENEWAL -- August is the time to renew your WGNSS membership dues. Annual membership is just $15 to receive Nature Notes by email (or $25 to receive Nature Notes by USPS mail). You can use the membership form at on the back of Nature Notes, also available at the bottom of this webpage. Please note any changes to your email, phone, etc., and mail with your payment to:
Webster Groves Nature Study Society
PO Box 190065
St. Louis, MO 63119
If you have already renewed, THANK YOU!
Webster Groves Nature Study Society
PO Box 190065
St. Louis, MO 63119
If you have already renewed, THANK YOU!
"Nature Notes" is our Newsletter - join WGNSS to receive the latest issues! Nature Notes features spectacular photographs and articles about botany, birding, entomology, and conservation by expert authors. Nature Notes is available by regular post or e-mail.
There are significant advantages to receiving Nature Notes by e-mail:
Past issues from the last few years are available to download from the Nature Note archive page.
Submit articles, photographs, or events to Ted MacRae, the Editor of Nature Notes.
Annual WGNSS membership is just $15 (for Nature Notes by email) or $25 (for Nature Notes by USPS mail). Webster Groves Nature Study Society
PO Box 190065
St. Louis, MO 63119
wgnss_membership_form.png
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There are significant advantages to receiving Nature Notes by e-mail:
- Eliminate mailing costs and printing waste, reducing your subscription cost and environmental impact!
- The ability to view Nature Notes in full color!
- Embedded hyperlinks allow instant navigation to e-mail addresses and websites!
Past issues from the last few years are available to download from the Nature Note archive page.
Submit articles, photographs, or events to Ted MacRae, the Editor of Nature Notes.
Annual WGNSS membership is just $15 (for Nature Notes by email) or $25 (for Nature Notes by USPS mail). Webster Groves Nature Study Society
PO Box 190065
St. Louis, MO 63119
wgnss_membership_form.png
Download File
WGNSS Conservation:
May 19, 2018 Saturday – Spring Nature Walk at Emmenegger Nature Park
11991 Stoneywood Drive, Kirkwood, Mo 63122 Meet at the trailhead kiosk by creek at 10 AM.
Our nature focus will be: "Insects, it's the Littlest Things That Make the World Go!"
Join WGNSS vice-president Rich Thoma on this field trip as we look at why insects (not people) are the organisms that have shaped the natural world we live in. We will also explore what the world might look like if insects were to disappear. This walk will be held rain or shine, and include unpaved trails of easy to moderate difficulty. Bring a camera or notebook, if you like. Free for all ages. All our welcome!
May 19, 2018 Saturday – Spring Nature Walk at Emmenegger Nature Park
11991 Stoneywood Drive, Kirkwood, Mo 63122 Meet at the trailhead kiosk by creek at 10 AM.
Our nature focus will be: "Insects, it's the Littlest Things That Make the World Go!"
Join WGNSS vice-president Rich Thoma on this field trip as we look at why insects (not people) are the organisms that have shaped the natural world we live in. We will also explore what the world might look like if insects were to disappear. This walk will be held rain or shine, and include unpaved trails of easy to moderate difficulty. Bring a camera or notebook, if you like. Free for all ages. All our welcome!
photo by Gwyn Wahlmann
WGNSS Birding Group:
May 1 - 31 – St. Louis Area Birdathon!
Sponsored by WGNSS, St. Louis Audubon, and Audubon Center at Riverlands
Please join us for our inaugural Birdathon! Everyone is welcome, regardless of experience. It promises to be fun, educational, and maybe even a little competitive fun! Have fun bird watching and help protect birds.
For more information visit: www.stlouisaudubon.org/birdathon
May 1 - 31 – St. Louis Area Birdathon!
Sponsored by WGNSS, St. Louis Audubon, and Audubon Center at Riverlands
Please join us for our inaugural Birdathon! Everyone is welcome, regardless of experience. It promises to be fun, educational, and maybe even a little competitive fun! Have fun bird watching and help protect birds.
For more information visit: www.stlouisaudubon.org/birdathon
Entomology Group:
May 11-12, Saturday & Sunday – BioBlitz at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center!!
The WGNSS Entomology Group will participate with an evening of blacklighting on May 11. (dusk until 11 pm) and an insect walk on May 12 from 11 am until 2 pm. All are welcome!
May 11-12, Saturday & Sunday – BioBlitz at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center!!
The WGNSS Entomology Group will participate with an evening of blacklighting on May 11. (dusk until 11 pm) and an insect walk on May 12 from 11 am until 2 pm. All are welcome!
WGNSS Birding Group:
April 29, Sunday, 9-11am – WGNSS Birding group hosts a St. Louis City Nature Challenge!
A "Beginners Bird Walk" at the Tower Grove Park Robert & Martha Gaddy Bird Garden –– a St. Louis birding Hot-spot! This walk will be led by WGNSS's own expert birders David Becher and Karen Meyer! Bring a camera or notebook, if you like. Free for all ages. All our welcome!
April 29, Sunday, 9-11am – WGNSS Birding group hosts a St. Louis City Nature Challenge!
A "Beginners Bird Walk" at the Tower Grove Park Robert & Martha Gaddy Bird Garden –– a St. Louis birding Hot-spot! This walk will be led by WGNSS's own expert birders David Becher and Karen Meyer! Bring a camera or notebook, if you like. Free for all ages. All our welcome!
WGNSS Photo Contest 2017
The WGNSS third digital photo contest was held at the Kirkwood Community Center on April 6. Judging took place in four natural history categories (Plants and Fungi, Invertebrates, Vertebrates, and Landscapes) with a first, second, third and honorary mention for each category. In addition, the 2017 contest included a new 'Photo Blog' category. Each blog that was submitted for judging included photos and a natural history essay. For the natural history categories, judging took place in “American Idol” style where each judge described the features of photos they thought were great, from a photographer’s point of view as well as from the subject and natural history perspective. The Photo Blog category was judged by the WGNSS Nature Book Club. The Photo Contest was a wonderful opportunity for the participates to learn how to take great natural history photos! From the top three photos in each category a Grand Prize photo was chosen by everyone in attendance. Congratulations to the photo winners.
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April 26, 2018 Thursday – WGNSS presents a Special Earth Week Event!
7:00 pm at the Kirkwood Library, 140 E. Jefferson Avenue, Kirkwood, MO 63122
7:00 pm at the Kirkwood Library, 140 E. Jefferson Avenue, Kirkwood, MO 63122
Events page photo slideshow credits:
Tower Rock in Misssissippi River by Casey Galvin - 1st place in Habitat category, 2013 WGNSS Photo Contest
Honey Bee on Bloodroot flowers by Abby Lee-Fairbanks - 1st place in Botany category, 2013 WGNSS Photo Contest
Waterfall, by Ryan Fairbanks - 3rd place in Habitat category, 2013 WGNSS Photo Contest
Peregrine Falcon, by Casey Galvin - 1st place in Birding category, 2013 WGNSS Photo Contest
Ice on LaBarque Creek, by Nels Holmberg - 1st place in Habitat category, 2013 WGNSS Photo Contest
Bronze Tiger Beetle by Ted MacRae - Grand Prize 2013 WGNSS Photo Contest
Summer Tanager by Mike Thelen - 2nd place in Birding category, 2013 WGNSS Photo Contest
Beach Wolf Spider by Ted MacRae - 1st place in Entomology category, 2013 WGNSS Photo Contest
Least Sandpiper by Casey Galvin - Honorary Mention in Birding category, 2013 WGNSS Photo Contest
Missouri Evening Primrose by Anne McCormack
Victoria Glade with Fremont's Leather Flower and Indian Paintbrush by Anne McCormack
Ruby-throated Hummingbird male by Casey Galvin
Wild Hydrangea with Harvestman by Anne McCormack
Red-spotted Purple Butterfly on Paw Paw by Anne McCormack
Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly on Eastern Blazing-Star by Anne McCormack
Duck Creek by Casey Galvin
Join WGNSS!
Webster Groves Nature Study Society
PO Box 190065
Saint Louis MO 63119-6065
Tower Rock in Misssissippi River by Casey Galvin - 1st place in Habitat category, 2013 WGNSS Photo Contest
Honey Bee on Bloodroot flowers by Abby Lee-Fairbanks - 1st place in Botany category, 2013 WGNSS Photo Contest
Waterfall, by Ryan Fairbanks - 3rd place in Habitat category, 2013 WGNSS Photo Contest
Peregrine Falcon, by Casey Galvin - 1st place in Birding category, 2013 WGNSS Photo Contest
Ice on LaBarque Creek, by Nels Holmberg - 1st place in Habitat category, 2013 WGNSS Photo Contest
Bronze Tiger Beetle by Ted MacRae - Grand Prize 2013 WGNSS Photo Contest
Summer Tanager by Mike Thelen - 2nd place in Birding category, 2013 WGNSS Photo Contest
Beach Wolf Spider by Ted MacRae - 1st place in Entomology category, 2013 WGNSS Photo Contest
Least Sandpiper by Casey Galvin - Honorary Mention in Birding category, 2013 WGNSS Photo Contest
Missouri Evening Primrose by Anne McCormack
Victoria Glade with Fremont's Leather Flower and Indian Paintbrush by Anne McCormack
Ruby-throated Hummingbird male by Casey Galvin
Wild Hydrangea with Harvestman by Anne McCormack
Red-spotted Purple Butterfly on Paw Paw by Anne McCormack
Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly on Eastern Blazing-Star by Anne McCormack
Duck Creek by Casey Galvin
Join WGNSS!
Webster Groves Nature Study Society
PO Box 190065
Saint Louis MO 63119-6065