An exhibition showcasing stunning images of British wildlife has come to North Yorkshire. FRANCINE CLEE reports.
A GREYLAG goose takes a stately promenade along the Thames, like a chubby day-tripper on a chilly London day. An eager fox licks its lips as it trots, low-bodied and intent, across a daisy-strewn lawn and on towards urgent business. A shag’s iridescent feathers gleam green as, roused from sleep, the bird glares balefully from beneath its wing.
It’s no surprise that these breathtaking images should find themselves among the winners of the British Wildlife Photography Awards for 2014.
The photographers responsible, amateur and professional, have rightly taken their place among the very finest who submitted work to this annual celebration of the beauty and diversity of our country’s wildlife.
The winning images were chosen from thousands of entries in 16 separate categories, including a special film category for Wildlife in HD Video and three junior categories to encourage young people to connect with nature through photography.
An exhibition of more than 100 images showcasing the winners’ work has now arrived in North Yorkshire, where it is on display at the National Trust’s Nunnington Hall, near Helmsley.
Chris Packham, naturalist and presenter of programmes including the BBC’s Springwatch and Autumnwatch, was wowed by the work.
“Each year the British Wildlife Photography Awards generates an incredible catalogue of splendid, exciting, imaginative and artistic images, proving beyond doubt that we have the richest palette of life to celebrate in our own back yard,” he said.
“Anyone passionate about protecting and preserving wildlife will be inspired by the British Wildlife Photography Awards, which in its fifth year has done more than any other award to raise the profile of British wildlife.”
The winning picture was that of the Greylag goose, The Tourist, by Lee Acaster. “It was a real privilege to have such a close encounter with a wild bird in the very heart of London,” said Lee.
“I vividly remember the excitement I felt as she patiently waited for me to get the shot, and I knew immediately this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I’m just grateful that she didn’t lose interest as quickly as my children do when I’m taking photographs of them.”
Judge Mark Ward, editor-in-chief at RSPB Nature’s Home Magazine, said: “The winning photograph shows a familiar bird in a familiar setting, but the visual impact is extraordinary.
"The stormy, brooding backdrop sets a dramatic scene, while the orange and pink from the bird bring vibrancy to the monochromatic cityscape. Lee’s stunning photograph proves you do not have to travel far from home to capture the very best of Britain’s wildlife images.”
• The British Wildlife Photography Awards are on show at Nunnington Hall until July 12. A book, the British Wildlife Photography Awards: Collection 5, features the very best entries and is available at amazon.co.uk More information on the awards can be found at bwpawards.co.uk
Coast and marine winner. Big Blues. Blue Shark, Cornwall, Alexander Mustard, winner Coast category
Habitat winner, A Life At Sea, Nesting Gannets, Shetland Isles, by Ruth Asher
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