Pictures snapped by two photographers in the South Okanagan have placed in the top three in the BC SPCA’s eighth annual Wildlife-In-Focus Photography Contest.
Penticton man Bruce Turnbull’s photo of Bighorn Sheep nabbed him second place in the “wild settings” category, while Oliver’s Tania Simpson won third place in the “backyard habitats” category with her River Otter photo.
Participants were encouraged to submit photos in the two categories to highlight the special relationship with animals in backyards and in wild settings that feature animals in their natural habitats.
“With more than 700 photos submitted, it was a challenge for the contest judges to highlight only a few of the many amazing photos celebrating B.C.’s diverse wildlife,” said Dr. Sara Dubois, BC SPCA chief scientific officer. “We want to thank all the participants for sharing their amazing photos and helping to raise more than $13,800 for wild animals in need.
Winners: Backyard Habitats
First: Jodi Wilton, Pitt Meadows — Tree Swallow
Second: Norman Orr, South Surry — Pileated Woodpecker
Third: Tania Simpson, Oliver — River Otter
Winners: Wild Settings
First: Sarah MacDonald, Vanouver — Grizzly Bears
Second: Bruce Turnbull, Penticton – Bighorn Sheep
Third: Colin Franks, North Saanich — Rhinocerous Auklet
First prize winners in both judged categories will be featured in the Spring 2017 Animal Sense magazine and the top three in each category will receive prizes including gifts from Broadway Camera, Beaty Biodiversity Museum, Canadian Geographic, Canadian Art, Greystone Bookes, Lens and Shutter Vancouver, LUSH, the Lab Vancouver, Naturekids BC, Outdoor Photography Canada, the Royal BC Museum or a Wild ARC prize pack.
See the winning photos online at spca.bc.ca/wildlife-in-focus to view the photos captured by amateur photographers across B.C.
The British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is a not-for-profit organization reliant on public donations. Their mission is to protect and enhance the quality of life for domestic, farm and wild animals in B.C.