News
Winners of the British Wildlife Photography Awards 2017 Announced
The British Wildlife Photography Awards have announced the winners for 2017. The Awards celebrate both the work of amateur and professional photographers and the beauty and diversity of British wildlife. Winning images are chosen from thousands of entries in fifteen separate categories including a category for film and two junior categories designed to encourage young people to connect with nature through photography.
Included in the winners and highly commended images are some stunning underwater photos from the UK coastline. These images were spread across several of the categories, from Coastal and Marine to Habitats.
The Winner of the Coastal and Marine category was Caron Steele with Emergence (Northern gannet, Morus bassanus), taken at Bempton Cliffs, Yorkshire.
“Having seen many diving gannet photographs I wanted to try and capture something a bit different. I watched the birds fishing and was fascinated by the way the gannets would emerge from nowhere to steal another bird’s prey. I was keen to capture the moment just before they broke the surface, while they were still in ‘stealth mode’. A combination of bright sunshine and cloud made setting the exposure difficult, but the result has some lovely patterns on the water.” Caron Steele
Highly Commended in the Coastal and Marine Category was Melvin Redeker with Inquisitive Porpoise (Harbour porpoise, Phocoena phocoena), taken at Yell, Shetland Islands.
“Harbour porpoises have a reputation as shy and elusive sea mammals. My view on this changed drastically when we found a pod swimming straight at our boat, moving with the speed of little torpedoes. We slipped quietly into the water. They were making sharp turns and approaching me from behind, which made it very hard to anticipate and photograph them. After the encounter, I found a bunch of blurred porpoise images on my memory card. But this one came out well. Because of this fantastic experience, I now think of the elusive harbour porpoises as being more like a small North Sea dolphin because they are so inquisitive and playful.” Melvin Redeker
Highly commended in the Animal Portrait category was Robin Goodlad with A Ring in Bright Water (Eurasian otter, Lutra lutra) taken at the Buckfast Otter Sanctuary, Devon.
Highly commended in the Animal Portrait Category was Trevor Rees with A Blue in the Green (Blue shark, Prionace glauca), Penzance, Cornwall.
“I teamed up with a group of shark enthusiasts on a small boat from Penzance. Our skipper took us 10 miles or so offshore where there was a strong chance we would find some blue sharks that we could safely snorkel in the water with. The sharks were there, and this individual came and gently bumped into me a couple of times to check me out – I felt privileged to get so up-close and personal.” Trevor Rees
You can see over 100 images from the competition including the winning and commended entries in a nationwide tour which launched at the Mall Galleries, London on 7th November and is open until 1pm on 12th November. Visit the website for more information and to find the closest venue to you: www.bwpawards.org/c/galleries/exhibitions
These images have been published from British Wildlife Photography Awards 8 published by Ammonite Press, RRP £25. This stunning coffee table book showcases the very best entries from the British Wildlife Photography Awards 2017 and celebrates British wildlife as captured on camera by today’s best amateur and professional photographers. The book is available online and from all good bookshops.
Find out more at www.bwpawards.org.
News
Spooktacular Underwater Adventure: Oyster Diving’s First Halloween Scuba Party at Mercers Lake
Last Thursday, Oyster Diving transformed Mercers Lake into a hauntingly unforgettable underwater realm for their inaugural Halloween Scuba Party. Approximately 20 intrepid divers plunged into the darkness, weaving through a mesmerising scene of spectral decorations, glow sticks, and eerie underwater pumpkins.
After the thrilling night dive, participants gathered to feast on a ghoulish spread of pumpkin soup, chilli con carne, and decadent fudge brownies, perfect fuel for the frightful festivities.
With a resounding success, Oyster Diving is excited to announce plans for this event to become an annual tradition. Next year, look forward to a fully licensed bar and live music, promising an even spookier celebration under the moonlit waters.
Join us next Halloween for an experience that promises to be a haunting delight!
Find out more about Oyster Diving at oysterdiving.com.
Marine Life & Conservation
Shark Trust launches Oceanic 31 Shark Art Auction
After a two-year tour of UK art galleries, community spaces and aquariums, the Shark Trust’s acclaimed Oceanic31 exhibition takes its final bow at the Royal Geographical Society later this month. And the unique collection of artwork, depicting 31 species of oceanic sharks and rays, donated by 31 artists, is now open for bids from art lovers and shark enthusiasts. The online auction, launched today, will close on the 7th December at 8pm (BST). The money raised will support the Shark Trust Oceanics Programme.
People can now bid on 27 of the artworks by visiting this website:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
It is a chance to own a beautiful piece of original art and to support the Shark Trust. The timing of the auction also means that these would make a very special Christmas gift for any shark-lover.
The diversity of pieces mirrors that of the sharks and rays they represent. You can bid on paintings, digital creations, sculptures, mixed media and more. You can pick your favourite artist or species of shark. Or you can select the perfect artwork to make a statement in your home or office. Whichever you choose, you will be supporting the work to protect these amazing animals.
One of the pieces of art has been selected to be auctioned live by Steve Backshall at the For the Love of Sharks event at the Royal Geographical Society in London on the 29th November. In addition to this, two further pieces will be raffled at this event, giving people a chance to win an incredible piece of shark art. For the Love of Sharks is the Shark Trust’s flagship evening. A night to celebrate sharks. Steve Backshall is the headline speaker at this event that will see other prominent shark advocates join him on stage.
Tickets for the event can be snapped up here:
https://thesharktrust.org.uk/Event/flos24
Those that would like to see the Oceanic 31 exhibition have one final chance. It is being displayed at the Pavilion at the Royal Geographic Society from 26th November until the 7th December. Entry is free.
Find out more here:
https://www.rgs.org/events/upcoming-events/oceanic-31
Paul Cox, Shark Trust CEO, Said “This exhibition has given us the opportunity to reach out to a new audience. And inspire more people with the wonderful sharks and rays on which our Big Shark Pledge campaign is based. We are immensely grateful to the 31 artists who have worked so hard to create these works.”
Bid for your favourite Oceanic 31 artwork here:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
Banner Image: Smooth Hammerhead by Alicia Hayden
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