Picture Perfect

WILDLIFE COMPETITION IMAGES RELEASED ON SAME DAY

The 1st of September 2021 not only signified the start of meteorological Autumn, but saw the release of some stunning images from THREE major photography competitions: Wildlife Photographer of the Year, The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards and Bird Photographer of the Year. Whilst many of the images uplift and inspire, the timing of their revelation, just before the IUCN World Conservation Congress from 3rd to 11th September 2021 in Marseille also serves as a compelling reminder of the more serious state of nature and the environment. Here's a small snapshot of some of nature's wonder:-

Now in its 57th year, the anonymously judged 'Wildlife Photographer of the Year', received over 50,000 entries from 95 countries. Ahead of announcing the winners on 12th October 2021, at the Natural History Museum in London, the organisers chose the start of September to reveal some of this year's Highly Commended images:-

Plants and Fungi: Mushroom magic, Juergen Freund (Germany/Australia) and Behaviour: Mammals -The great swim, by Buddhilini de Soyza (Sri Lanka/Australia).

Underwater: Deep feelers, by Laurent Ballesta (France) and Oceans - The Bigger Picture: Net loss by Audun Rikardsen (Norway).

Photojournalism: A caring hand, by Douglas Gimesy (Australia) and Natural Artistry: Toxic design, by Gheorghe Popa (Romania).

10 Years and Under: Lockdown chicks, by Gagana Mendis Wickramasinghe (Sri Lanka).

'The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards' published some of the images shortlisted for their 2021 competition, whilst opening voting for 'The People's Choice Award'. The final 42 images include a laughing vine snake from India, a trio of strutting Gentoo Penguins on the beaches of the Falkland Islands and a Kangaroo performing a picture-perfect Pavarotti impersonation in Australia. You can see them all and cast your vote Here until 10th October 2021 and at the same time be in with the chance of winning an iPad. This year, the competition is supporting the charity Save Wild Orangutans.

Aditya-Kshirsagar, Laughing-Snake

Andy Parkinson, Leaning Post (left) and Axel Bocker, Don't worry-be happy (right)

Meanwhile, talented photographers from around the world submitted 22,000 images to this years' Bird Photographer of the Year competition who used 1st September 2021 to announce their actual winners. Conservation is at the heart of the contest, which this year donated over £8,000 to Birds on the Brink - a charity supporting global bird conservation projects.

The overall winner of Bird Photographer of the Year, is Alejandro Prieto with 'Blocked' (above) an image of a roadrunner at a new section of the border wall between Mexico and the USA. He also won the Gold Award in the 'Birds in the Environment' category for this striking image illustrating how structures, such as this wall, can prevent wildlife from migrating and moving into other areas.

17-year-old Levi Fitze won the 'Young Bird Photographer of the Year' is with his image 'Morning Lek'.

Flipe Foncueva from Spain won Gold for his 'Underwater Portrait' (left) and Maofeng Shen won Silver for 'Sing Heartily' (right).

Mousam Ray, from India, won gold in the Bird Behaviour category, with 'Floral Bathtub' whilst Daniel Zhang from the UK won bronze for 'Mid-air Catch' in the 14-17 year old category

To see the winners in all of the categories and also some wonderful 'highly commended' shots such as BACKLIT BEAUTY (Birds in the Environment) by Ben Hall (below), you can purchase a 'coffee-table' book from the Bird Photographer of the Year website HERE.