The BC SPCA has announced the winners of its annual amateur wildlife photography contest.
More than 500 photos were submitted in the 16th annual Wildlife-in-Focus photography contest.
Photographers competed in two categories—”Backyard Habitats” and “Wild Settings.” Two Okanagan photographers took home top prizes in both categories.
The winners in Backyard Habitats are:
- 1st – Bruce Turnbull (Penticton) - Northern flicker
- 2nd – Lesley Carere (North Saanich) – Rufous hummingbird
- 3rd – Rosalind LeBlanc (Vancouver) – Mallard duck
The winners in Wild Settings are:
- 1st – Janine Brooke (North Vancouver) – Coyote
- 2nd – Ashley Giovannini (Kelowna) – Grizzly bear
- 3rd – Sebastien Nadeau (Squamish) – Pygmy owl
“We are very lucky to have so much wildlife in metro Vancouver,” says Janine 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.”
A third award for “People’s Choice” was received by Sam Gorick from Mill Bay, for this photograph of a raccoon.
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.
A total of $8,426 was raised from the contest, and will go towards rehabilitating injured and orphaned wildlife.