‘On the Edge’, northern gannets, Shetland Isles [Photo credit: © Barrie Williams/BWPA https://bwpawards.org]
Barrie Williams beat thousands of entries in 16 categories to claim the overall crown in a wildlife photography competition open to amateurs and professionals.
The first prize was £5,000.
‘Worlds collide in Barrie Williams’ beautiful and evocative image, which demands a double-take, affording a unique insight into the habitat and behaviour of gannets,’ said competition judge Paul Wilkinson.
Matt Swaine, editor of BBC Wildlife Magazine, added: ‘Sea cliffs provide a haven from potential predators, a place for birds to breed, hunt and safely raise the next generation.
’This vertigo-inducing shot shows guano-stained rocks, the bustle of lower ledges – with birds packed tightly and gannets hunting over the inky seas below.
‘The judges felt it was a unique perspective of this shot and its ability to reveal something new about seabird life that made it such a firm favourite.’
‘Toads on Roads’, North York Moors National Park, North Yorkshire, England [Photo credit: © David Pressland/BWPA https://bwpawards.org]
Commenting on the 2015 competition, photographer Mark Carwardine said: ‘This latest collection of images is testament to the sheer level of interest in wildlife in Britain and, above all, the remarkable abilities of our wildlife photographers.’
‘London Starling Gang’, England [Photo credit: © Tomos Brangwyn/BWPA https://bwpawards.org]
‘Roe Deer in four Seasons’, Suffolk [Photo credit: © Kevin Sawford/BWPA https://bwpawards.org]
‘Roe Deer in four Seasons’, Suffolk [Photo credit: © Kevin Sawford/BWPA https://bwpawards.org]
To see all the winning images, visit www.bwpawards.org/static/2015/winner-2015.html.
More than 100 of the best images go on show at the Mall Galleries in London from 14-19 September.
Full list of winners
Overall Winner – Barrie Williams ‘On the Edge’, northern gannets, Shetland Isles,
Scotland
Category Winners
Habitat – Barrie Williams ‘On the Edge’, northern gannets, Shetland Isles.
Animal Behaviour – Kris Worsley, ‘Pheasant Display’, Nottinghamshire.
Animal Portraits – William Harvey, ‘Common Lizard’, Surrey.
Hidden Britain – Alex Hyde, ‘Dew-covered Crane Fly’, Peak District National Park, Derbyshire.
Coast and Marine – Paul Colley, ‘Beautiful Blues’, Blue Shark, Penzance, Cornwall.
Wild Woods – Chaitanya Deshpande ‘A Flutter in the Woods’, London.
Botanical Britain –Tim Hunt ‘Fairy Moss’, Penryn, Cornwall.
Close to Nature – Chris Speller ‘Mite Walking in Frog Valley’, Bristol.
Urban Wildlife – Tomos Brangwyn, ‘London Starling Gang’, London.
British Nature in Black & White – Terry Whittaker, ‘Pink-footed Geese in Mist’, Black Isle, Highlands.
Documentary Series – David Pressland, ‘Toads on Roads’, North York Moors National Park, North Yorkshire.
British Seasons – Kevin Sawford, ‘Roe Deer in four Seasons’, Suffolk.
Wildlife in HD Video – Andy Jackson and Jackie Daly, ‘The last Seahorse in Studland?’, Dorset.
Young People’s Award Wildpix
Under 12 Years Category – Max Eve (age 10), ‘Blue-tailed Damselfly’, Caerlaverock Wetland Centre, Dumfries.
12–18 Years Category – Kyle Moore (age16), ‘Bokeh Frog’, Lowestoft, Suffolk.
School Award – Year 5 pupils at Meadowbrook Primary School, Bradley Stoke, Bristol.
