Walking in the Jay C. Nature Center may offer the opportunity to photograph fox, like this picture taken by Austin photographer John Duren who is leading the winter family photography class at the Nature Center. Photo by John Duren

If you’re looking for a reason to get outside this winter, the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center and photographer John Duren are offering you the perfect chance.

For the second year, Duren will conduct a family winter photography class that will take five families into the Nature Center to see what the winter has to offer.

“It’s really a chance for families to get out and spend time together and explore what the Nature Center has to offer,” Duren, who has been shooting nature seriously now for six years, said. “You never know what’s out there: Fox, coyotes, deer. You might see only tracks, but you might get a glimpse of something you’ve never seen before.”

Wildlife photographer John Duren

Duren said last year’s class, a winter version of his popular summer class, was successful with more than 20 people from the five families.

“The first year went well,” Duren said. “Anytime you’re doing something outside in the winter, people are looking for an excuse to get outside and do something.”

Shooting during the winter is never easy. Even a small change in weather conditions — wind, snow, cloudy skies — can make the experience more difficult, but Duren maintains there is always something for the families to shoot.

“In kind of exploring different kinds of light so there are shadows and different kinds of patterns,” he said. “It’s all about every part of nature.”

Along with that, it’s a chance for people to see another side of the season that often times tends to get a bum wrap.

“It’s nice for me to show my appreciation for the winter,” Duren said. “Winter is one of those seasons that gets a bad rap, but there is still a lot of beauty.”

The class will be from 2 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8 at the Nature Center. The class is limited to five families at $10 per family and they should pre-register by Friday, Feb. 7 by calling 507-437-7519 or emailing the Nature Center at jchnatur@smig.net.