Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) has opened its annual nature photography competition for 2024 with new categories and prizes. Nature lovers of all ages are being invited to send their best shots of animals, plants, people and scenery at BBOWT nature reserves and in the community. This year the vote is also being thrown open to the public, with a new People’s Choice Award. There’s also an extra category for mobile phone photography.
“Wildlife photography can require patience but can be very rewarding - spending time in nature and capturing "that moment" with a bird, mammal or insect can turn a glimpse in time into a real memory that can be savoured and shared with others. You never know when those "moments" will occur, so take your camera with you wherever you go and be aware of the beauty in nature around you.” Steve Gozdz, professional wildlife photographer and founder of competition sponsor, GG Wildlife Experiences
The annual competition attracts entries from across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. Last year nearly 150 people submitted almost 500 photographs for judging.
Rachel Levis, BBOWT’s Head of Events, said: "We’re thrilled to launch our photography competition again this year, as it’s always such a treat to see so many amazing photos of wonderful wildlife taken on our patch. This year we have introduced a new People’s Choice Award, which is a great way of getting our supporters involved with the very tricky judging decisions.” She continues, “the mobile phone has opened up nature photography to almost everyone, so we’re pleased to include a new category for that this year. Anyone from a six-year-old with a phone to a professional photographer with all the kit can enter”
Interested? Here are the categories
- Birds
- Mammals
- Butterflies and other insects
- BBOWT nature reserves
- Urban nature
- Taking action for nature
- Mobile phone photography
- Children (ages 6-11) Photos matching any of the categories
- Teens (ages 12-17) Photos matching any of the categories
The photographs for most categories need to be taken on BBOWT reserves, and all must be taken in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire or Oxfordshire. The closing date for entries is Monday 26 August 2024. Entries received by Sunday 28 July will also be considered for the People’s Choice Award.
This year’s top prizes include a high-spec birdbox camera, an exclusive wildlife photography masterclass with GG Wildlife Experiences and all winners will have the chance to see their photos featured in the Trust’s 2025 wildlife calendar. There are also bundles of nature books for younger entrants to win for their schools.
For full details on how to enter visit: bbowt.org.uk/photocomp24
Urban winner - Danny Kidby-Hunter
Children runner-up - Evelyn Paveley
Flora runner-up - Gill Cornelius
Mammals runner-up - Jono Mckendry
Reptiles amphibs runner-up - Nigel Carter
