Volunteer Photography Competition 2016 - the winners

Volunteer Photography Competition 2016 - the winners

Congratulations to all the entrants for this years competition. There was a very high standard and it was difficult to judge.

Our volunteers visit our reserves throughout the year and take photos of the amazing variety of habitats and wildlife they encounter. Each year we award a prize to the very best three images.

Prizes for the winning photos are awarded by Opticron.

Close up of daphnia

This year, first prize goes to Kevin Lunham for his unique image of a microscopic water flea (Daphnia sp.). The judges liked the way: "...the Daphnia stands out from the background and the impressive detail of its structure, making this a compelling photo that invites the viewer to study it further". 

Three curious cows peer out from behind some trees at Ditchford Lakes and Meadows nature reserve

Second prize goes to John Abbott for his amusing photo of four curious cows at Ditchford Lakes and Meadows. The judges felt that "this image really did have me laughing out loud" they were impressed that the photographer "has eye contact with all the cows in the image and the converging tree trunks draw the eye to the central cow." It was considered be an excellent opportunistic shot.

A canopy shot taken at Gamlingay Woods

Third prize goes to Sarah Lambert for her image of the woodland canopy at Gamlingay. Judges felt that "the balance between the colour of the ash leaves surrounded by darker leaves and pierced strongly by the three trunks makes this a very dramatic photo".