Stunning: the best of British photography on show at Moors Valley (From Bournemouth Echo)

Stunning: the best of British photography on show at Moors Valley

11:00am Saturday 2nd February 2013 in News

These stunning photographs go on show in Dorset this month, as the British Wildlife Photography Awards exhibition opens at Moors Valley Country Park.

Three of the twelve category winning shots are taken by local photographers, with the overall winner and holder of the British Wildlife Photographer 2012 also going to a local photographer for the first time.

Thousands of entries were received for the prestigious annual award, which was scooped by Southampton’s Dr Matt Doggett for his image entitled Gannet Jacuzzi, above.

 

The awards were set up to celebrate British wildlife and to recognise the huge talent of wildlife photographers throughout the country.

This special exhibition brings together 90 of their images, including winning and commended entries, to provide a visual treat of truly inspirational photographs.

Gannet Jacuzzi won the Coast and Marine category before going on to take the overall title. The image was captured on a remote location off the north coast of Scotland and shows the raw power and grace of gannets as they dive, highlighting their amazing underwater abilities.

“Looking up I could see dozens of them soaring overhead,” said Matt, talking about how he shot the winning photo.

“And then I watched as their blurry white forms plummeted downward, breaking the surface at great speed before they twisted, turned and swam to get the fish first.”

Underwater photography also won the Habitat category for Southampton’s Alex Mustard, with his shot of a grey seal swimming in a cave, below.

Back on dry land, the Wild Woods category was taken by west Dorset’s Jeremy Walker. Featuring a stunning array of autumn colours, his photograph of the New Forest (below) captures the spirit of the woods as they move towards winter.

All three photographs form part of the British Wildlife Photography Awards’ touring exhibition, which can be seen at Moors Valley from today until March 17.

Matt said: “I’m looking forward to seeing all the winning and commended images at Moors Valley – there are some great shots that really shouldn’t be missed.”

“We are delighted to again be hosting this incredible exhibition,” said Moors Valley’s countryside interpretation ranger Katie Davies.

“With over 10,000 entries from all over the country the British Wildlife Photography Awards really seem to capture everyone’s imagination and when you see the quality of the images it is easy to understand why.

Swan, by Gerald Robinson

“We are so lucky to live in this glorious part of the country. Once our visitors have seen this fabulous exhibition we hope they will be inspired to get out and look at the wildlife that surrounds us, and possibly even take a photo or two of their own to remember it by.”

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Anenome Shrimp in Swanage, by Alex Tattersall

It is free to view the British Wildlife Photography Awards exhibition, which opens daily in the Visitor Centre at Moors Valley Country Park, but parking charges do apply.

Over the shoulder seal by John Moncrieff

The 2013 British Wildlife Photography Awards opens for entries on February 13. Details available on bwpawards.org.