Wintry weather creates picture-perfect scenery
The predicted cold snap has hit, and while it may have its foot-stamping, hand-rubbing downsides, it can also create some stunning photographic opportunities.
So make the most of the wintry weather at WWT Washington Wetland Centre, where the beauty of the season in all its glory can be easily captured on camera - and could scoop a top prize in the WWT Photography Competition 2011/12.
Pretty, frost-edged leaves; a colourful bullfinch waiting patiently in crisp sunlight at the feeding station and a serene misty reedbed are just some of the entries so far in the winter heat of the competition, which closes on 29 February.
Taking place over 12 months, with four seasonal heats, the WWT Photography Competition 2011/12 is looking for the best photos representing that season.
At the end of each heat, winners from each of WWT's nine wetland centres – including WWT Washington - will be chosen from each category.
When the competition closes on 31 August 2012, all regional heat winners will go through to the grand national final to be held in the autumn; with an overall Portfolio Photographer being awarded the grand prize of a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Antarctica.
Judi Mahon, from Middle Herrington, was winner of the autumn People’s Choice
category for WWT Washington, with her shot ‘Vantage Point’.
She said: “A visit to WWT Washington is always an uplifting experience, you never know what will crop up.
“I took up nature photography after retiring early from an office-based occupation and receiving a movie camera as a leaving gift.
“Things moved on rapidly from there - camera and lenses and joining WWT was the next step.
“The photograph was taken from the lake hide and was purely opportunistic. Patience is the name of the game!”
The WWT Photography Competition 2011/12 winter heat closes on Wednesday 29 February 2012. For more information, visit http://photo.wwt.org.uk
