Spring photography competition winners
Martin Mere Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust Centre, WWT, has named the four regional winners in the spring heat of its nationwide photography competition.
From the abstract to the arty; keen photographers in and around Lancashire were invited to submit entries for fourphotography categories in the third seasonal heat of its national competition; WWT Photography Competition (2011 – 2012).
Laura Bristow was named winner in the Wetland Wildlife category, with her picture entitled ‘Sweet Dreams’.
Andrew Stannard was named winner in the Wetland Landscapes category, with his picture entitled ‘Reedbed Reflections’.
George Reclos was named winner in the Wildlife & People category, with his picture entitled ‘Happy Camper’.
And, Niall Read, aged 16, was named Young Photographer, following her picture submission entitled ‘Flamingo Care’.
The competition was open to visitors at the nine WWT wetland centres around the UK. Andy Wooldridge, manager at WWT Martin Mere Centre, said: “We received over 2,500 submissions across the country, but the quality of the entries from these four fantastic winners caught the judges’ eye and really bought our local WWT centre to life.
"The competition encourages people to get really close to all the fantastic wildlife we have here at the centre; and these stunning images show off some of the most elegant and colourful array of birds, insects and other animals seen during the autumn.”
The spring seasonal winners haveeach won a place on an acclaimed photography course, held by nature photography experts Wild Arena.
Each of the winners will also now go through to the national finals to be held in autumn 2012, where £50,000 worth of prizes are up for grabs including wildlife photography and activity holidays.
The summer heat of the competition is now open and photographers can enter their prize pictures taken at WWT centres online via the website. Entrants are encouraged to enter more than two of the seasonal heats to automatically go into the Portfolio Photographer of the Year category and to be in with a chance of winning a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Antarctica.
Andy Wooldridge added: “Our WWT wetland centre isn’t just for budding photographers; it’s for everyone who enjoys nature, wildlife or simply just a great day out. Summer is a truly spectacular time at Martin Mere and an excellent time to visit.
"Whether you want to enjoy the displays of feather and flight provided by the huge migrant flocks of pink-footed geese and whooper swans, or you want to get up close to the wildlife at the beaver lodge or otter enclosure; there is something for everyone at the WWT Martin Mere centre.”
