The 2025 Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival artwork features three Green Jays splashing in water created by former Harlingen CISD student Terrilyn “Terri” Alaniz.
These playful Green Jays capture the excitement of watching these striking birds frolic in the wild. A background of stunning native foliage hints at the diversity of landscapes the Rio Grande Valley has to offer birds and birders alike.
After moving to the RGV in 1996 from Canada with her family, Terrilyn attended Treasure Hills Elementary, Coakley Middle School, and Harlingen High School South (Class of 2003). Terri pursued a degree in graphic design and combined her love of art and nature to found Off the Beaten Path RGV. Terri currently works as a full-time conservation artist and wildlife photographer. She is also a part-time birding guide and enjoys taking novice and experienced birders on tours across the Rio Grande Valley enjoying the bounty of South Texas wildlife.
Terri emphasizes the unique personality of each creature in her wildlife illustrations, aiming to offer insights into the disposition of the animal she depicts. She claims that she spends more time detailing the eyes of animals to truly capture their character than she ever had to when doing human portraits. While depicting dazzling eyes is one of Terri’s illustrative specialties, her favorite part of creating art is hiding special sentimental details for friends and family to find in her paintings.
Terri serves as the President of the Arroyo Colorado Audubon Society, the Chair of Marketing for the RGV Birding Festival, and is a certified Texas Master Naturalist. Terrilyn also works as the Conservation Artist/Photographer promoting and aiding research for Cactus Creek Ranch in Rio Hondo, TX.
These playful Green Jays capture the excitement of watching these striking birds frolic in the wild. A background of stunning native foliage hints at the diversity of landscapes the Rio Grande Valley has to offer birds and birders alike.
After moving to the RGV in 1996 from Canada with her family, Terrilyn attended Treasure Hills Elementary, Coakley Middle School, and Harlingen High School South (Class of 2003). Terri pursued a degree in graphic design and combined her love of art and nature to found Off the Beaten Path RGV. Terri currently works as a full-time conservation artist and wildlife photographer. She is also a part-time birding guide and enjoys taking novice and experienced birders on tours across the Rio Grande Valley enjoying the bounty of South Texas wildlife.
Terri emphasizes the unique personality of each creature in her wildlife illustrations, aiming to offer insights into the disposition of the animal she depicts. She claims that she spends more time detailing the eyes of animals to truly capture their character than she ever had to when doing human portraits. While depicting dazzling eyes is one of Terri’s illustrative specialties, her favorite part of creating art is hiding special sentimental details for friends and family to find in her paintings.
Terri serves as the President of the Arroyo Colorado Audubon Society, the Chair of Marketing for the RGV Birding Festival, and is a certified Texas Master Naturalist. Terrilyn also works as the Conservation Artist/Photographer promoting and aiding research for Cactus Creek Ranch in Rio Hondo, TX.