british wildlife photography awards...british wildlife photography awards 9 †uk calls will cost...
TRANSCRIPT
BRITISH WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS WINNERS 2018
Supplement to BBC Wildlife MagazineSupplement to BBC Wildlife Magazine 3
The entries for the 2018 British Wildlife Photography Awards presented the usual annual dilemma for the panel of judges, of which I’m one. Choosing from a
wide selection of creative wildlife images, taken by photographers from all walks of life and all age groups, was a pleasure but also a challenge. How to single out just one per category from so many images that demonstrated such a high degree of skill?
As in previous years, BBC Wildlife Magazine sponsored the Animal Portraits category, and this year the winner gives us a classic view of one of the UK’s largest mammals. This is where the competition excels in getting the viewer up-close to an animal that we usually only glimpse as it scuttles away from our car headlines.
The main category winners are all included in this special supplement for you to enjoy. Look out for the travelling exhibition coming to a venue near you at some point in 2019, to see many of the shortlisted images as well.
SHEENA HARVEY Editor, BBC Wildlife Magazine
BRITISH NATURE IN BLACK AND WHITE WINNER
PAUL COLLEYCONTRAILS AT DAWN
Daubenton’s bats, Myotis daubentoniiCoate Water Country Park, Wiltshire
Ghostly contrails reveal the flight paths and wingbeats of Daubenton’s bats. An infrared camera and lighting system, which were 14 months in development, overcame the challenge of photographing the high-speed flight of these small mammals in the dark. The in-camera double exposure caught the foreground bat milliseconds before insect intercept. As these bats are a protected species, they were photographed in the wild following advice from the Bat Conservation Trust and Natural England.
FOREWORD
BRITISH WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS 2018
OVERALL WINNER
ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR WINNER
SUNIL GOPALANLIFE AND DEATH AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLDGreat skua, Stercorarius skua; Atlantic puffin, Fratercula arcticaFair Isle, Shetland
Seabird colonies are among my favourite places. One morning on Fair Isle, I heard a great racket arise from the other side of the cliff. The cliffs are periodically patrolled by predators, which cause all the puffins to dash for cover. I have never seen any action before, but this ‘bonxie’ (great skua) closed the loop on the circle of life right in front of my lens.
Category sponsored by Shetland Nature
4 5
ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR WINNER
BRITISH WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS 2018
Supplement to BBC Wildlife MagazineSupplement to BBC Wildlife Magazine6 7
ANIMAL PORTRAITS WINNER
TESNI WARDBEANBadger, Meles melesPeak District National Park, Derbyshire
With muted light leaking through the woodlands, a badger cub emerged from its sett, slowly shuffling into the open before pausing briefly to observe its surroundings. While the light was difficult to work with, the cub stayed still long enough to allow me to capture one frame before it headed into the bushes.
Category sponsored by BBC Wildlife Magazine
ANIMAL PORTRAITS WINNER
8 9
URBAN WILDLIFE WINNER
CHRISTOPHER SWANMAGPIE IN THE SNOWMagpie, Pica picaKelvingrove Park, Glasgow
A black-and-white bird in a black-and-white landscape. I was lucky enough to spot this magpie in Glasgow’s Kelvingrove Park after a snowfall – it was perched on the black railings against the white of the snow and made for a very graphic image. The magpie kindly waited until I’d taken my shot before cocking its head and flying off!
Category sponsored by The Wildlife Trusts
BRITISH WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS 2018 URBAN WILDLIFE WINNER
Supplement to BBC Wildlife MagazineSupplement to BBC Wildlife Magazine10 11
WILD WOODS WINNER
JAMES RODDIESEASONAL OVERLAPEuropean beech, Fagus sylvaticaAviemore, Highlands
A carpet of autumn beech leaves showing through an early dusting of snow in the Cairngorms.
BRITISH WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS 2018 WILD WOODS WINNER
Supplement to BBC Wildlife MagazineSupplement to BBC Wildlife Magazine12 13
BRITISH WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS 2018
HABITAT WINNER
ANDREW PARKINSONSPECTACULAR ISOLATIONMountain hare, Lepus timidusCairngorms National Park, Highlands
These conditions are probably the most dramatic and most exciting that I have ever worked in. High winds were blowing huge amounts of snow across the plateau, and it was pure luck that I was able to find a familiar hare. We endured the conditions together and, over time, I moved forwards on my knees, keeping my camera out of the surging spindrift and photographing the hare with a wide-angle lens.
Category sponsored by Wildlife Worldwide
HABITAT WINNER
Supplement to BBC Wildlife MagazineSupplement to BBC Wildlife Magazine14 15
HIDDEN BRITAIN WINNER
ANDREW MCCARTHYWAITING FOR HER PREYNursery web spider, Pisaura mirabilisDunchideock, Devon
I came across this female nursery web spider sitting patiently in a stunning dahlia bloom in a corner of our garden, late last summer. The species is an ambush predator and will wait motionless for a considerable time before springing out and subduing its prey. Despite the prevailing warm temperatures that day, this spider seemed oblivious to my presence – this allowed me ample time to set up my equipment and run a 32-image focus stack before she disappeared back into the flower head.
Category sponsored by Buglife
BRITISH WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS 2018 HIDDEN BRITAIN WINNER
Supplement to BBC Wildlife MagazineSupplement to BBC Wildlife Magazine16 17
BRITISH WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS 2018 CLOSE TO NATUREWINNER
CLOSE TO NATURE WINNER
DAVID BENNETTGOOSE BARNACLES, SANNA BAY, SCOTLANDGoose barnacles, Lepas anatiferaSanna Bay, Highland
We were on holiday in Scotland and the weather was good, so we went to Sanna Bay, which is a place we know and love. While walking and exploring the coast, we noticed a very large piece of unusual-looking driftwood. On close inspection, we noticed it was covered with goose barnacles, which were moving and pulsating like an alien species. The wood was stranded from the tide and we tried in vain to move it back to the water, but it was too heavy and wedged in – hopefully the barnacles survived until the next tide.
COAST AND MARINE WINNER
CRAIG DENFORDSTORM GULLLesser black-backed gull, Larus fuscusNewhaven, East Sussex
Taken at Newhaven, as Storm Brian hit our shores in October 2017. A gale-force wind meant having to constantly hold on to my tripod, to prevent it being blown away, and I was forever having to wipe the sea spray from the lens. The gulls were clearly enjoying it, though, catching the wind and flying low over the waves before circling around and going again.
Category sponsored by WWF
COAST AND MARINE WINNER
Supplement to BBC Wildlife MagazineSupplement to BBC Wildlife Magazine20 21
BOTANICAL BRITAIN WINNER
ROBERT CANISKELP BED AT DAWNOarweed, Laminaria digitataKingsgate Bay, Kent
My initial intention was to simply photograph the beach at sunrise. But, noticing the exposed kelp beds as the tide receded, I instead focused my attention on illustrating those, as the tide ebbed and flowed under the blue light of dawn.
Category sponsored by Countryside Jobs Service
BRITISH WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS 2018 BOTANICAL BRITAIN WINNER
BRITISH WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS 2018
Supplement to BBC Wildlife Magazine22 Supplement to BBC Wildlife Magazine 23
Clockwise from top left: grey seals rest at sea by ‘bottling’ (bobbing vertically in the water); non-invasive technology is used to monitor seal ‘haul-out’ sites; injured seal pups are rescued and rehabilitated before being
released back into the wild; storms and human disturbance can cause pups to be separated from their mother, often leading to malnourishment and untimely death; coastal surveys help to monitor marine life.
DOCUMENTARY SERIES WINNER
DOCUMENTARY SERIES WINNER
BEN WATKINSREHABILITATED GREY SEALS BEING RELEASED INTO THE WILD Grey seal, Hailchoerus grypusCornwall
Based on pup production, the UK is home to 38 per cent of the world’s entire population of grey seals. In Cornwall, there are numerous organisations and charities working together with the common goal of conserving this iconic species. The work mainly consists of non-invasive techniques that keep human interaction with the seals to a minimum, only ever stepping in when it is necessary for the seals’ survival.
Category sponsored by The Wildlife Trusts
Supplement to BBC Wildlife MagazineSupplement to BBC Wildlife Magazine24 25
Each grey seal has its own unique markings, by which it can be identified.
BRITISH WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS 2018 DOCUMENTARY SERIES WINNER
WILD PIX 12-18 YEARS WINNER
IVAN CARTER (AGE 17)
EYE OF THE SPAWNCommon tadpoles, Rana temporariaWalmer Castle, Kent
I was visiting Walmer, taking photos of the wildlife. I went into the Queen Mother’s Garden to photograph the flowers and noticed three tadpoles trapped in a small pool of water on top of one of the water lily leaves in the ornamental pond. I realised that this tiny water scene would create the special shot I was looking for that day.
Category sponsored by RSPB Wildlife Explorers
WILDPIX 12-18 YEARS WINNER
Supplement to BBC Wildlife MagazineSupplement to BBC Wildlife Magazine28 29
WILDPIX UNDER 12 YEARS WINNER
LUCY FARRELL (AGE 9)
WHO SAYS BUGS AREN’T CUTE?Cockchafer, Melolontha melolonthaBorrowdale, Cumbria
I took this at a caravan site in Borrowdale, in woodland on the shores of Derwentwater. I found this with five other cockchafers in my moth trap – it was amazing!
Category sponsored by RSPB Wildlife Explorers
BRITISH WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS 2018 WILDPIX UNDER 12 YEARS WINNER
Supplement to BBC Wildlife Magazine 31Supplement to BBC Wildlife Magazine30
BRITISH SEASONS WINNER
NEIL MCINTYRESEASONAL SCOTTISH SQUIRRELSRed squirrel, Sciurus vulgaris Rothiemurchus Forest, Highlands
SPRING Red Squirrel on Old Caledonian Pine TreeWith spring in full flow, I didn’t have much time to get this image before the squirrels changed to their summer coats. With a forecast of blue sky – which I desperately needed for this image – I could now give it a go. After three six-hour shifts, I finally managed to get the perfect combination of light and the squirrel’s pose and position.
SUMMER Red Squirrel in Purple HeatherIn August, when the heather is in full bloom, the pine forests are a colourful delight. With this in mind, I wanted to show off this season in its full glory. I positioned myself among a bed of heather that surrounded an old tree stump that I knew the squirrels liked to sit on to feed. Here, the squirrel glances around just before it starts foraging again.
AUTUMN Red Squirrel SilhouetteWith its magical golden colours, this season has to be my favourite. It was the sheer vibrancy of the colours that drew me to this scene, and the silhouette of the squirrel tucked in below a beech tree with a background of autumnal glory was perfect – I could not believe my luck! It’s this time of year that squirrels collect nuts and bury them, ready to be retrieved at a later date.
BRITISH SEASONS WINNER
Supplement to BBC Wildlife MagazineSupplement to BBC Wildlife Magazine32 33
WINTER Red SquirrelRed squirrels in snow look very appealing, but they are not overly keen on the colder weather, so visits can be shorter than normal. This one had ventured out for some food, and I managed to find a lovely low angle that let me position it against a slightly darker background, so the snowflakes on its tail were more noticeable.
Category sponsored by Páramo
BRITISH WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS 2018 BRITISH SEASONS WINNER
DO YOU WANT TO SEE THE FULL BWPA SHORTLIST? SUBSCRIBE TO BBC WILDLIFE MAGAZINE TODAY TO RECEIVE
BRITISH WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS 9
†UK calls will cost the same as other standard fixed line numbers (starting 01 or 02) and are included as part of any inclusive or free minutes allowances (if offered by your phone tariff). Outside of free call packages call charges from mobile phones will cost between 3p and 55p per minute.
Lines are open Monday to Friday 8am – 6pm and Saturday 9am – 1pm. Overseas readers call +44 1604 973 729.
*British Wildlife Photography Awards 9 book and 30% saving offer is only available to UK residents. Stock is subject to availability. BBC Wildlife Magazine reserves the right to substitute the book with an alternative. Books in stock will be sent separately within 28 days. Your subscription will
start with the next available issue. BBC Wildlife Magazine is published 13 times a year. Offer ends on 31 January 2019.
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR SPECIAL OFFER: ■ RECEIVE BRITISH WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY
AWARDS 9, WORTH £25*
■ PAY ONLY £38.50 EVERY 13 ISSUES (DIRECT DEBIT) AND SAVE 30% ON THE SHOP PRICE
■ ENJOY FREE UK DELIVERY DIRECT TO YOUR DOOR AND NEVER MISS AN ISSUE
THE WINNERSPAUL COLLEYBRITISH NATURE IN BLACK AND WHITE
SUNIL GOPALANANIMAL BEHAVIOUR
TESNI WARDANIMAL PORTRAITS
CHRISTOPHER SWANURBAN WILDLIFE
JAMES RODDIEWILD WOODS
ANDREW PARKINSONHABITAT
ANDREW MCCARTHYHIDDEN BRITAIN
DAVID BENNETTCLOSE TO NATURE
CRAIG DENFORDCOAST AND MARINE
ROBERT CANISBOTANICAL BRITAIN
BEN WATKINSDOCUMENTARY SERIES
IVAN CARTER WILDPIX 12-18 YEARS
LUCY FARRELL WILDPIX UNDER 12 YEARS
NEIL MCINTYREBRITISH SEASONS
THE JUDGESROB COOKSEGMENT MANAGER, CANON
RICHARD EDWARDSHEAD OF CONTENT WWF-UK
DANNY GREENNATURE PHOTOGRAPHER
JAMIE HALLWILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER
SHEENA HARVEYEDITOR, BBC WILDLIFE MAGAZINE
VICTORIA HILLMANWILDLIFE RESEARCHER AND PHOTOGRAPHER
LUCY MCROBERTCAMPAIGNS MANAGER, THE WILDLIFE TRUSTS
DAVID NOTONPHOTOGRAPHER
JASON PETERSNATURALIST, EDITOR AND PRODUCER OF WILDLIFE-FILM.COM
RICHARD SHUCKSMITHNATURE PHOTOGRAPHER
MARK WARDRSPB NATURE’S HOME MAGAZINE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
STEVE WATKINSEDITOR, OUTDOOR PHOTOGRAPHY MAGAZINE
CALL US ON 03330 162 121† PLEASE QUOTE WLBWPA18
SUBSCRIBE ONLINE AT WWW.BUYSUBSCRIPTIONS.COM/WLBWPA18
SPECIAL SUBSCRIPTION OFFER