Just stumbled upon this article about the 2011 British Wildlife Photography Award and being a photography lover, I’m very excited to share it with you.

Especially that it reports that the overall winner is Scottish Photographer Richard Shucksmith, who lives on the beautiful Shetland Islands!

Richard Shucksmith Scottish Photographer | Source: blipfoto.com

The winners in twelve categories of the 2011 British Wildlife Photography Awards (BWPAs) have been announced.

Aiming at honoring talented wildlife photographers, this year’s competition attracted thousands of photographers across the country and was considered as “a special opportunity to give the natural world that surrounds us the recognition, and reverence, it deserves.”

Jellyfish in the Blue Sea of Sula Sgeir, Scotland by Richard Shucksmith

Richard Shucksmith is the 2011 BWPAs overall winner with his photos of a jellyfish entitled “Jellyfish in the Blue Sea of Sula Sgeir, Scotland”. He captured the image at Sula Sgeir, a small uninhabited Scottish island, 41 miles north of Lewis.

 

This photo secured the £5,000 first prize. It’s also the winning photograph of the Coast and Marine category. 🙂

3. Where are you based?

I live on the beautiful and wild Shetland Isles. Over 2000km of coastline with a diverse range of marine habitats. One day in a sheltered voe watching otters and the next day on an exposed cliff watching orcas.

There is so much to see and photograph around Shetland I never feel the need to travel elsewhere although I do love the west coast of Scotland too. I work in Shetland as a marine/terrestrial ecologist working closely with industry in reducing their ecological impact during their development stage.

I have my own company and work short term contracts – I have chosen to work this way so I can spend more time undertaking my photography.

It also allows me to live in places that I find inspirational.

In other words, I live amongst the wildlife and wild landscapes that I love.

Don’t get me wrong, its sound great but this way of living is not for everyone as there is a lot of insecurity.

Source: Ten Questions To Richard Shucksmith – Interview

SGreg Armfield, Photography and Film Manager from WWF said “A truly beautiful shot of a jellyfish that perfectly captures its iridescent colours and magical qualities. All the more remarkable that it exists in UK waters. Fantastic.”

Source: BWPAWARDS.ORG

Below are the other winning photographs from all categories.

Stunning!

“Mystical Deer” taken by Mark Smith in Richmond, Surrey, England, wins Animal Portraits category

“Champagne Starling” captured by David Biggs in Bayston Hill, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England, wins Urban Wildlife category

“Grey Heron Walking on Water” photographed by Andrew Parkinson in Derbyshire, England, wins Animal Behaviour category

“Busy Wasp on Blackberries” taken by Rana Dias in Horley, Surrey, England, wins Wildlife in My Backyard category

“Hare in Morning Light with Hoar Frost” posed by Ian Paul Haskell in Norfolk, wins Habitat category

“Scorpion Fly on a Leaf” captured by Leslie Holburn in County Durham, England, wins Hidden Britain category

“Thick-legged Flower Beetle on Corn Marigold” posed by Ross Hoddinott in Pentire Point, near Newquay, Cornwall, England, wins British Seasons category

“It’s Only a Game” photographed by Neil Aldridge in Hertfordshire, England, wins Documentary Series category

The winner of Young British Wildlife Photographers, Up to 11 Years category, is Walter Lovell, 8, with “Frog Checking Its Frogspawn”

The winner of Young British Wildlife Photographers, 12 to 18 Years category, is Oliver Wilks, 16, with “Red Fox Yawning After His Afternoon Nap”

“Ladybird on Rose” taken by William Richardson in London, England, is highly commended in Hidden Britain category

Summer Wildlife 2011

Source of the article: Ezimark.com

To get your own copy of the fantastic coffee table book of all the BWPA win, simply click on the cover image below. It will navigate you to Amazon SuperStore where you can shop with confidence.

Briitsh Wildlife Photography Awards - Aa Publishing (September 30, 2011) - 224 pages

Enjoy!

Janice

PS: If you would like to view 2010 Best Wildlife Photos, click here.