Wildlife-in-Focus photography contest now open
By Contributor
Now celebrating its tenth year, the BC SPCA’s Wildlife-in-Focus Photography Contest is officially open for entries. Whether the subjects are in your own backyard, foraging for food in rivers, or exploring B.C.’s beautiful forests, amateur photographers at least 14 years of age are invited to send in their work. The contest runs until Sept. 15.
“With the range of wildlife living in this province, combined with amazing backdrops, the possibilities are endless. From a seal “playing” air guitar to a majestic grizzly bear staring off into the distance, each year our entrants set the bar very high,” says BC SPCA research coordinator Erin Ryan. “Our judges always have such a hard time choosing, so we’re happy to once again offer the very popular donate-to-vote People’s Choice Award.”
By entering early, photographers can also take advantage of bonus votes. “From now until Aug. 15, if you donate $20 or more when you enter a photo, you’ll get 10 bonus votes. Not only will you have the chance to help your photos take a top spot, you’ll be supporting the BC SPCA’s Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre (Wild ARC) on Vancouver Island.” Each year, the centre cares for more than 3,000 orphaned and injured wild animals.
Previous contest entries have been featured in the BC SPCA’s Animal Sense and Bark! Magazines, BC SPCA educational materials, local newspapers, websites, social media, and even on decks of playing cards!
“Our playing cards were incredibly popular last year, with hundreds of decks selling out in just three days. We’re excited to bring back the cards once again, with this year’s top 52 photos to be featured.”
Prizes will be awarded for the top three photos, as determined by the judges in each of two categories: Wild Settings and Backyard Habitats. The donate-to-vote People’s Choice Award will also be awarded a prize.
All photos of wildlife entered must be taken within B.C. and submitted digitally. “Wildlife” includes free-living birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, fish and insects, but not exotic, feral or domestic animals, or wildlife in zoos or rehabilitation facilities.
Learn more about this year’s contest and view past winners’ images at spca.bc.ca/wildlife-in-focus.
If you’re looking for inspiration, you can view our 24/7 live-streaming Wild ARC Critter Cam (www.spca.bc.ca/crittercam), featuring wild patients. For more information, email contest@wildarc.com.
