Photographers around the province were asked to give it their best shot for the BC SPCA’s 16th annual Wildlife-in-Focus photography contest, and they answered the call in a big way, with stunning shots of B.C.’s beautiful and varied wild creatures.
“With more than 500 photos submitted, choosing the top picks was a challenge for the contest judges,” says Andrea Wallace, BC SPCA’s manager, wild animal welfare.
“We want to thank all the participants for sharing their amazing photos of B.C.’s diverse wildlife and helping to raise $8,426 to help BC SPCA’s Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre [Wild ARC] care for injured and orphaned wild animals.”
Photographs were submitted in two categories. “Backyard Habitats” highlighted the special, and up-close, relationship many people have with wild animals in their own backyard, while “Wild Settings” featured photos of animals, birds, and more in their natural habitats.
The ”Backyard Habitats” winners were:
1st: Bruce Turnbull (Penticton), Northern flicker
2nd: Lesley Carere (North Saanich), Rufous hummingbird
3rd: Rosalind LeBlanc (Vancouver), Mallard duck
“I am thrilled to have my photograph of a Northern flicker feeding its young selected as the winner of the Backyard Habitats category,” says Turnbull.
“Wildlife photography is a passion of mine, as is studying the wildlife I photograph and learning about the challenges they face. Supporting organizations like Wild ARC who protect and help our wildlife is very important to me, and I am glad my photo helped to raise much-needed funds for the organization.”
The ”Wild Settings” winners were:
1st: Janine Brooke (North Vancouver), Coyote
2nd: Ashley Giovannini (Kelowna), Grizzly bears
3rd: Sebastien Nadeau (Squamish), Pygmy owl
“We are very lucky to have so much wildlife in Metro Vancouver,” says Brooke. “I'm very excited to have my photograph of the coyote chosen as the winner of the Wild Settings category.
“This coyote was hunting in the marshes: it is one of my favourite subjects to photograph. By sharing my photos, I hope to introduce the viewer to a world we so often overlook in our busy lives and spark an interest in the wildlife around us.”
There was also a “People’s Choice” winner chosen from among all the photos submitted. This year’s winner was Sam Gorick of Mill Bay, for their photo of a raccoon at the water’s edge.
The 12 photos that received the most votes — along with the top three winners in each category — will be featured in a limited-edition Wildlife-in-Focus pack of greeting cards. The top three winners in each category will also be featured on a limited-edition tote bag: the perfect gifts for any wild animal lover. These products will be available later this year, and can be purchased through the BC SPCA’s online store at https://shop.spca.bc.ca/.
Visit spca.bc.ca/wildlife-in-focus to view the winning photos, those that received honourable mentions, and the rest of the incredible photos captured by amateur photographers across B.C.
