THE WINNERS of this year’s Worcestershire Wildlife Trust calendar competition have been revealed.
And three Bromsgrove snappers are providing four of the images in this year’s 12 selected photographs.
Richard Clifford has two of his pictures included – ‘Frogspawn’ for March and ‘Swallow’ near Hanbury is July’s.
Frogspawn (March) by Richard Clifford. sLinda Jones’ Winter sunrise footprints, Dodford, has been chosen for January and Rebekah Nash’s Kingfisher – taken in Redditch – is September’s.
January’s picture of choice is Winter Sunrise Footprints by Linda Jones. sThe overall winner – decided by a public vote advertised across the Trust’s social media channels – was Brown hare, The Lenches by Nick Thompson from Cheltenham.
The overall winning image – Brown Hare by Nick Thompson. sEvery year the WWT challenges photographers to enter pictures of Worcestershire’s wonderful wildlife.
More than 200 images were submitted by 40 photographers.
Anil Patel’s swans feature on February. sAll trust staff are involved in the initial judging before previous winners, professional wildlife photographer Pete Walkden (Pete Walkden Photography) and semi-professional wildlife photographer Jason Curtis (Wyre Wildlife), helped to choose 12 winners.
Winners each receive a copy of the charity’s fund-raising calendar, which features a different winning image each month.
Richard described his July shot at Eades Meadow as ‘aim and hope’ as he only had a macro lens with him.
“I managed to focus and follow it for a few seconds before firing the shutter.”
His frogspawn one happened while he was tidying his wildlife pond.
“As I picked it up to return it I realised it would make a good image if it was backlit so a suitable light and a couple of quick snaps did the trick.”
Autumn Woodland by Gillian Smith is October’s image. sLinda said hers was taken on a ‘rare winter morning in early 2021’ when the weather forecast was snow followed by a clear morning.
She undertook a two-mile walk on icy roads at -5C degrees, to reach the pre-selected vantage point before sunrise.
“I thoroughly enjoyed every moment.”
Swallow by Richard Clifford is the picture for July. sAnd Rebekah said: “Learning the flight pattern and favourite spots of this kingfisher was a pleasure, so to sit patiently in the rain, away from people,
“I felt privileged as this beautiful bird stayed with me fishing for over 20 minutes, an emotional experience.”
Winner Nick thanked to everyone who voted for his picture and said “I am over the moon – I can’t believe it.”
Competition organiser Wendy Carter congratulated the winners and runners-up and thanked everyone who entered and judges Peter and Jamie.
“Whether you’re watching wildlife in your garden, your local park, in the town or the countryside, it’s always worth having a camera to hand – you never know what you might spot.”
Each winning photograph features as an A4 image in the Trust’s 2023 calendar. A further 24 images by runners-up appear as smaller inserts.
The image was voted as the overall winner in a public vote advertised across the Trust’s social media channels.
The calendar costs £8 and is available to buy from worcswildlifetrust.co.uk/shop – the trust’s online shop.
All proceeds directly benefit the Trust’s work to protect Worcestershire’s wildlife and wild places.
Photographers can visit flickr.com/groups/worcestershirewildlifetrust or facebook.com/worcestershirewildlifetrust to stay up-to-date with the trust’s activities.
Alternatively, go to twitter.com/WorcsWT
