1. Contest Overview

The Birding for Jewels Photography Contest is hosted by Visit Baytown to highlight the birdlife and natural beauty of the Baytown Nature Center. Entries must showcase wild, free birds photographed within the Nature Center and follow all rules below.

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2. Eligibility

• Open to amateur and professional photographers

• Entrants must be the original creator of submitted images

• Minors must have parent or guardian consent

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3. Required Location & Date

• Photos must be taken at the Baytown Nature Center between March 1 – June 1, 2026

• Metadata or reasonable verification may be requested

• Photos of captive, rehabilitated, or non-wild birds are not permitted

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4. Ethical Wildlife Photography Standards

Photographers must prioritize the welfare of birds, wildlife, and habitat at all times. The following are strictly prohibited:

• Baiting or feeding wildlife

• Chasing, flushing, calling, or disturbing birds

• Approaching nests, fledglings, or breeding areas

• Altering vegetation, perches, or habitat

• Entering restricted or off-trail areas

Entrants must follow ethical wildlife guidelines established by organizations such as the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and National Audubon Society.​

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5. Equipment Restrictions

• Drones are prohibited

• Artificial lighting, flash, reflectors, or large props are not allowed

• Remote or motion-triggered cameras are permitted only if placed in public areas and do not disturb wildlife

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6. Submission Guidelines

• Up to five photographs per participant

• Images must be original and unaltered

• Allowed edits: light cropping, color/exposure adjustment, noise reduction, sharpening

• Prohibited edits: composites, sky replacement, added/removed objects, AI elements, heavy manipulation

• No watermarks, borders, or signatures on submitted images

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7. People in Photos

• Recognizable individuals require a model release

• Photos should focus on birds; humans should not be the subject

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8. Judging Criteria

Entries will be evaluated on:

• Technical quality and clarity

• Artistic composition

• Originality

• Ethical field practices

• Representation of Baytown Nature Center birdlife and habitat

Judging decisions are final.

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9. Rights & Usage

By submitting, participants grant the City of Baytown permission to use images for promotional and marketing purposes with photographer credit. Copyright remains with the creator.

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10. Disqualification

Entries may be disqualified for:

• Rule or ethics violations

• Evidence of wildlife disturbance

• Failure to verify location/date

• AI-generated or heavily manipulated images

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11. Acceptance of Rules

Submission constitutes acceptance of all contest rules.

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12. Contest Divisions & Categories

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Amateur Division – Adult (phone or compact camera)

• Song Bird

• Water Fowl

• Bird of Prey

• Wading/Shore Birds

• Humming Birds

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Professional Division – Adult (DSLR camera)

• Song Bird

• Water Fowl

• Bird of Prey

• Wading/Shore Birds

• Humming Birds

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Kids Division – Ages 0–13 (any camera)

• Song Bird

• Water Fowl

• Bird of Prey

• Wading/Shore Birds

• Humming Birds

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13. Winners & Prizes

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Best of the Best (1 Grand Prize Winner Per Division)

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Professional Division – Adult

• $250 cash prize

• Baytown Nature Center Family Annual Pass ($65 value)

• 8x32 Celestron Nature DX binoculars ($159 value) – Donated by Land Sea & Sky Co.

• Winning photo published in the Baytown VOICE Magazine

Amateur Division – Adult

• $150 cash prize

• Baytown Nature Center Family Annual Pass ($65 value)

• 8x32 Celestron Nature DX binoculars ($159 value) – Donated by Land Sea & Sky Co.

• Winning photo published in the Baytown VOICE Magazine

Kids Division – Ages 0–13

• $50 cash prize

• Baytown Nature Center Family Annual Pass ($65 value)

• Baytown Wetlands Center Birthday Party ($150 value)

• Winning photo published in the Baytown VOICE Magazine

 

Category Winners (1 per Category, per Division)

Each category winner receives:

• Baytown Nature Center Day Pass

• Bag of bird seed – Donated by Fischers Hardware Baytown

• Winning photo published in the Baytown VOICE Magazine