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Seal yawning, bv Alex. Runner up - age 14-16 category

A love nature and the skills to capture wildlife through a lens will be showcased in the University Centre Shrewsbury’s Young Nature Photographer of the Year awards this month.

From a seal yawning and a centipede crawling to a heron hovering and a puffin posing, the work of 23 talented young wildlife photographers will be celebrated at an awards ceremony, hosted by BBC Springwatch, Autumnwatch and Winterwatch presenter, Iolo Williams on Wednesday, February 15.

Competition organiser Dr Bethan Stallwood said: “We already knew that there are lots of talented young photographers out there, but we’ve been blown away by the calibre of entries and it’s been a delight to see what their cameras have captured.

“It’s been amazing to look at the sheer range of images – from widescreen shots of whales to close up captures of forest fungi.”

Prizes for the UCS Young Nature Photographer of the Year competition will be awarded in four age categories (between five and 18) and include wildlife camera traps, Shropshire Wildlife Trust memberships and other wildlife essentials.

Bethan added: “We were overwhelmed by the quality of the 300 plus entries we received and would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone for taking the time to capture such beautiful images.”

She explained that the aim of the competition is to increase young people's engagement with nature, adding: “Our natural world is full of such enchantment, and I have been moved and delighted to see such a range in subject matter -from the conventional beauty of birds to the often-underappreciated attractiveness of invertebrates.

“Our head judge, David Woodfall, a multi-award winning, professional photographer, was incredibly impressed with the standard of the photographs and passed to pass on his personal thanks to all entrants for making his job so joyous - and challenging!”

The UCS Young Nature Photographer of the Year 2024 will be open for entries from May – December, so please follow the University’s social media platforms to find out more.

A group of ducklings in greenery

Maddie

Highly Commended (Age 14-16 Category)

Close up of a snowflake

Merab

Highly Commended (Age 11-13 Category)

A group of geese

Natcha

Highly Commended (Age 14-16 Category)

Close up of a swan

Parker

Year 4 First Place (Primary)

Photograph of fish in water

Robin

Year 4 Highly Commended (Primary)

Close up photo of an insect in flowers

Rowan

First Place (6th Form Age Category)

Birds photographed in a field

Sam

Commended (6th Form Age Category)

Insect photographed on a leaf

Savannah

Year 1 Highly Commended (Primary)

Photograph over the edge of a cliff with the sea in the background

William

Highly Commended (Age 11-13 Category)

Close up of a seal

Alex

Runner Up (Age 14-16 Category)

Photograph of geese by water

Alfie

Year 1 Highly Commended (Primary)

A whale tail above water

Ben

First Place (Age 11-13 Category)

Close up of insect in grass

Elizabeth

Runner Up (Age 11-13 Category)

Close up photograph on insects

Elliot

Year 1 Commended (Primary)

Bird photographed emerging from hole in ground

Evan

Year 5 Highly Commended (Primary)

Close up of animal in grass

Joe

Year 5 Runner Up (Primary)

Close up of animal in water

Luke

Highly Commended (Age 14-16 Category)

Goose photographed by water

Anubhav

Highly Commended (Age 14-16 Category)

Close up photograph of a duck

Elia

Year 1 Highly Commended (Primary)

Close up photograph of a bird

Josie

First Place (Age 14-16 Category)

Close up photograph of an insect

Leila

Year 4 Runner Up (Primary)

Close up photograph of grass

Rose

Highly Commended (6th Form Age Category)

Abandaoned building in woodland

Thomas

Commended (Age 11-13 Category)

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