Joe Mac Hudspeth, Jr.’s, first attempt at wildlife photography occurred some thirty years ago when he captured a sunning screech owl on film with a Kodak 110 Pocket Instamatic camera. Since then the self-taught, life-long Mississippian has turned his hobby into a part-time job with his work appearing in numerous state, regional and national publications.
In 1993, Hudspeth received national recognition when his image of an immature least bittern, captured at Ross Barnett Reservoir, was awarded the “Grand Prize for Wildlife” by the Roger Tory Peterson Institute for Natural History. Since 1997, his photographs have graced State of Mississippi Duck Stamps and Sportsman’s Licenses and his most popular print, “Top of the Morning,” is still a favorite at Ducks Unlimited banquets.
His first coffee-table book, In the Southern Wild, was published by University Press in 2003. His second book, Return to the Southern Wild, was self-published in 2011. His latest book, My Southern Wild, is a collection of deer, ducks, turkeys, alligators, gallinules and Mississippi scenery that he has captured during his “career” as a wildlife photographer.
According to Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, who hunts in Mississippi and wrote the foreword to the book, said: “The present volume contains the best of his work, photographs taken over many years, all in Mississippi. I recommend it to nature lovers-and especially to hunters, for whom it will heighten anticipation of the coming season during the long summer at home.”
Joe Mac lives in Brandon, Miss., with his wife Janet. His current favorite wildlife subject is his four-year-old granddaughter, Lainey.
Joe Mac’s artwork will be on display at the Great Jackson Arts Council throughout the month of March 2014, with a ‘Meet the Artist’ reception scheduled for March 6.
For more information on Joe Mac Hudspeth, Jr., his photographs, books or speaking engagements contact: joemacjr@bellsouth.net or visit: https://www.southernfocus.com
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