Hans F. Koenig Award for Excellence in Herpetological Photography
Award Recipients Photo Gallery

During January of each year, the SWCHR calls for entries for the Hans F. Koenig Award for Excellence in Herpetological Photography competition. This competition is open only to SWCHR Members. Non-members may enter the competition upon receipt of their membership application and dues. Each year’s winning photographic image will be displayed here on the SWCHR website, and will grace the cover of the next four quarterly editions of the SWCHR Bulletin for the year. The distinguished photographer also receives a cash award of $100 along with a certificate commemorating his or her achievement. All of the photographic images that have been recognized by this award since its inception are displayed below.

If you would like to read more about the late Hans F. Koenig, who this awards program memorializes, you can click on this link to ‘The Life and Times of Hans F. Koenig‘, or read the original publication of the article located in the SWCHR Bulletin – Vol 3. Issue 1 (Spring 2013). 

 2023  
Eastern Collared Lizard   Crotaphytus collaris
Irion County, Texas 
photo by Frank Portillo

2021   
Desert Kingsnake   Lampropeltis getula splendida
El Paso County, Texas
photo by Frank Portillo

2019 
Eastern Collared Lizard,  Crotaphytus collaris
Crockett County, Texas
 photo by Frank Portillo

 2017  
Trans-Pecos Copperhead,  Agkistrodon contortrix pictigaster
Pecos County,  Texas
photo by Frank Portillo

2015  
Balcones Barking Frog,  Craugaster augusti latrans
Val Verde County, Texas
photo by Kyle Elmore

2013  
Banded Rock Rattlesnake,  Crotalus lepidus klauberi
Hidalgo County, New Mexico
photo by Travis Dimler

 2011  
Speckled Kingsnake,  Lampropeltis getula holbrooki
Brazoria County, Texas
photo by Matthijs Hollanders