“Gannet Jacuzzi” — Overall winner of the British Wildlife Photography Awards 2012
As we wait with bated breath for the results of the “Irish Wildlife Photography Award 2012”, run by the Irish Wildlilfe Trust, results of the British Wildlife Photography Awards 2012 were announced yesterday, complete with a stunning portfolio of images from the winning and highly commended photographers.
Spanning 12 categories, and covering everything from marine life and animal behaviour to creepy crawlies and urban wildlife, the awards are a tremendous showcase for the often unseen splendour and surprising diversity of Britain’s wildlife. Many of the species featured, of course, we share here in Ireland – whetting the appetite for some no-doubt equally stunning photography when results of the Irish competition are announced.
The overall winner, and British Wildlife Photographer 2012 was Dr Matt Dogget for his strikingly unusual underwater shot of diving gannets off the north coast of Scotland.
“It was an incredible experience being in the water surrounded by these high speed divers,” said a delighted Dr. Dogget.
The judging panel was particularly impressed with the standard of this year’s entries.
“This has been the highest level of entries since the competition launched in 2009,” said Competition Director Maggie Gowan. “Especially satisfying has been the increase in young entries with the partnership between RSPB Wildlife Explorers and BWPA, which bodes well for the future of wildlife conservation and photography”.
For details and a gallery of all the winning wildlife images take a look at the BWPA website.
Look out for more details of the Irish Wildlife Photography Awards soon.
Leap for freedom, by Dale Sutton, winner of the Hidden Britain Category in the British Wildlife Photography Awards 2012
Red Deer Stag in Pine Forest by Neil McIntyre – winner of the Animal Portrait Category in the British Wildlife Photography Awards 2012
Photo credits: All photographs © their respective owners and the British Wildlife Photography Awards
