Wyman Meinzer’s West Texas

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On a snowy morning in February I was persuing on foot a flock of wild turkey with the hope of getting images of a big boss gobbler in flight. In peering over a hilltop I observed these two big Rio Grande boss gobblers in battle, pushing one another in an attempt to perhaps establish dominance in the peck order for the upcoming mating season. I kneeled down and started shooting images with my Canon F1N and Canon 500mm F4.5L lens. After exposing some five rolls of Kodachrome the two big birds broke off the engagement and flew away.

Spontaneity in the Wild: Interaction of the Ages

On June 27, 2011 By

During my thirty year tenure as a photographer I have spent countless months observing and documenting natural history behavior that defines the various species I have encountered. Some of these incidents were encountered by sheer luck while others were the result of knowing it could happen and concentrating my efforts to be on site when [...]

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A tropical depression moved into the Del Carmen mountains of northern Coahuila, Mexico during this trip and all travel into the high mountain recesses was limited. Here I have my camera gear loaded on a Honda 400 CC ATV and am making my way up a road that leads into the high mountain country and some fall foliage color.

Thirty Years on the Road with a Camera: Part II

On June 19, 2011 By

I vividly recall one of my very first self imposed photo shoots that occurred here in Knox County in about 1978. While training for my pilots license I had flown over a large stock tank and noticed a rookery of Great Blue Herons in some old dead mesquite trees. In order to situate myself within [...]

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"I guess its when you live to climb these mountains year after year, that you finally learn the Yukon code and come fit for what she yields. Oh that Rose the mighty Rose but we finally made it to the top, Bisquit Heads and guides alike we sat on the highest rock. The view was great as the river swept 4,000 feet below; I'm glad I came to face the test of the high and rugged Rose". A poem I wrote while in camp after the 16 hours of climbing this rugged Yukon mountain.

Thirty Years on the Road with a Camera: Part I

On June 13, 2011 By

Over the past 30 years I have had the opportunity to visit some great places in the process of shooting images for my files or for book and magazine assignments. The land and people I have experienced have been memorable and have made an unforgettable impression on my life story.
I would like to [...]

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Writing field notes by the light of a kerosine lamp. 1974

Coming Home: A Revisit to Simple Times

On June 6, 2011 By

 

Every once in awhile I become nostalgic and take a day to revisit places that have been instrumental in shaping my ideas and philosophy regarding life and all things therein. This might include visiting our old home place on the ranch where my parents raised Rick, Patty, and I through the magical years of [...]

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A blast from the past with this earlier class at Junction.

Even Dozen: Twelth Year of the Junction Experience

On May 30, 2011 By

Wild Dave and I arrived back in Junction at the Texas Tech Campus May 11, 2011 to prepare for yet another year of concentrated photography work during the Texas Tech Intersession period. Weather and land conditions appeared to be somewhat dismal but I had seen it worse, perhaps in 2001, so we were not daunted [...]

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Gentleman and iconic author John Graves

Texas Rivers: On the Road with John Graves

On May 23, 2011 By

During the course of our lives we sometimes meet a person or people who are “somebody”, and will make a lasting impression on careers if not the direction and or longevity of a life. That impression may take many forms, two of which might be financial or from the standpoint of enlightenment or simple friendship. [...]

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Grey fox hunting insects some eleven feet high in an agave plant. Canon F1N and Canon 500mm F4.5 lens handheld.

When the photo of a lifetime is presented are you ready?

On May 16, 2011 By

Over the past 30 years of working behind a camera I have had a few opportunities that offered up the possibility for some incredible if not one in a life time photo opportunities. In reviewing each instance I have concluded that a common denominator in each case was the element of surprise. I never planned [...]

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Fat Earl with a grasshopper for dessert.

My Summer With Fat Earl The Ground Squirrel

On May 9, 2011 By

A few summers ago I took some time to drive out to the old home place where I grew up during the 50’s and 60’s. Lots of memories accompany me with every visit so each trip is a “grounding” of sorts.  I think we all need that from time to time, or at least I [...]

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The Jack Rabbit's large ears are quite effective in the function of heat dispersal and superior hearing ability. Canon 5D Mark II and Canon 400mmF5.6L lens handheld.

Black-Tailed Jack Rabbit

On May 6, 2011 By

The black-tailed jack rabbit, (Lepus californicus) , is a creature that defined some of the memories I have retained from growing up on a ranch in the Texas rolling plains. As a small boy riding over the badlands along the Brazos river I never tired of seeing these fleet footed creatures dash suddenly from their [...]

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Roadrunner and Collared Lizard

A Memorable Image from an Earlier Time

On May 4, 2011 By

All photogs who have been in the business of toting a camera for many years can recall our most memorable images and, for the most part, minute details regarding each. In 1978 I was aspiring to be a magazine shooter and busied myself with exposing images of anything interesting that might cross my path. On [...]

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Death of a Thunderstorm

Wyman’s Favorite Forty

On April 28, 2011 By

This timeless collection of images represents the top forty defining photographs of Wyman Meinzer’s first three decades of work.

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About Wyman Meinzer

Wyman Meinzer

Wyman Meinzer is the only official State Photographer of Texas. He was raised on League Ranch, a 27,000-acre ranch in the rolling plains of Texas. Since then, he has traveled across the state many times to capture the first and last rays of sunlight as they kiss the Texas landscapes.

He started his career as a professional predator hunter. He transitioned into a research associate for the university and now teaches a senior-level course in Special Problems Photography at Texas Tech University in addition to his ongoing book projects and freelance magazine assignments.

Professional Credentials

Meinzer has a Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife Management and was voted Outstanding Alumnus in 1987 by the department of Range and Wildlife Management at Texas Tech University. He also received the Distinguished Alumnus award in 1995 from the School of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. In 2009 he received the Distinguished Alumnus award from Texas Tech University in recognition of outstanding achievement and dedicated service.

After 28 years as a professional photographer, he has about 20 photography books to his credit and more than 250 magazine cover credits. His images have appeared in Smithsonion, National Geographic Books, Natural History, Time, Newsweek, U.S. News and World Report, Audubon, Sports Afield, Field and Stream, Outdoor life, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Texas Highways, Korea GEO, German GEO, Das Tier, Airone, Horzu, BBC Wildlife, and many others.

His awards include: State Photographer of Texas, the John Ben Sheppard Jr. Award from the Texas State Historical Foundation for contributing to the preservation of Texas History through writing and photography, 1997 National Literary Award for the book, "Texas Lost: Vanishing Heritage" (with Andrew Sansom) and the San Antonio Conservation Award for the natural history book, "Roadrunner."

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