Two Vancouver Island photographers took home podium spots in this year’s BC SPCA Wildlife-in-Focus Photography Contest, with another receiving an honourable mention.
This year marks the wildlife organization’s 18th photo contest, which also doubles as a fundraiser.
“More than 450 photos were submitted celebrating B.C.’s diverse wildlife and supporting our advocacy for wild animals,” said Hailey Boehner, BC SPCA’s wild animal welfare specialist.
“Our team thanks all the participants for sharing their amazing photos of B.C.’s incredible wildlife and helping to raise over $9,400 to help the BC SPCA’s Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre care for injured, sick and orphaned wild animals.”
Islanders may recognize the Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre as “Wild ARC” located in Metchosin.
Local winners and their shots
The annual photo contest is divided into two categories, Backyard Habitats and Wild Settings.
Two Vancouver Island photographers took home second and third place in the backyard habitats category.
Peter Cortes, from Victoria, captured the silver medal shot of bald eagles landing on a totem pole.
(Peter Cortes)
Sam Gorick, meanwhile, took home third place for his photo of raccoons embracing in Mill Bay.
(Sam Gorick)
The winner of the Backyard Habitats category was Heather Rolling from Fort St. John for her photo of a fox.
(Heather Rolling)
The BC SPCA also highlighted eight honourable mentions from the more than 450 submissions it received, including one shot from Sooke and another from Nanaimo.
Sandy Bowie, of Sooke, got an honourable mention for her shot of a cougar in her backyard.
“At around 7:15 in the evening, a chance look out the window gave me a big surprise. Not one but three cougars were exploring in my back yard,” she said of the photo.
“The one in the picture was the oldest and there were two younger ones. They didn’t stay long and continued their exploration in the forest nearby.”
(Sandy Bowie)
Noah Kumada’s shot of a ladybug in the Vancouver Island University Garry oak ecosystem restoration plot was the other Vancouver Island photo to receive an honourable mention.
“What just a few years ago was a slope choked out by invasive blackberry and non-native grasses is now home to dozens of species of native plants,” Kumada said of the photo.
“This, in turn, has led to an explosion of insect diversity in the plot, and is a great reminder of the effect that human restoration efforts can have on the world around us. If not for the restoration efforts of students and faculty, these wildflowers and plants would have never been around to attract the aphids that ended up grabbing the attention of these lovely lady beetles. Imagine that!”
(Noah Kumada)
Photos of all the winners and honourable mentions can be found on the BC SPCA website. Winning photos are also featured on travel mugs and cards sold on the SPCA store.
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