Ready to go wild with your camera? The BC SPCA鈥檚 eighth annual Wildlife-In-Focus Photography Contest is now open for entries. Each year, participating shutterbugs strive to capture the best of B.C.鈥檚 wildlife through the lens, from the comfort of their own backyards or the province鈥檚 vast wilderness.
All amateur photographers at least 14 years of age are invited to enter the competition, which runs from July 1 to Sept. 30, by submitting their most impressive digital images of B.C.鈥檚 wildlife at rest, work and play.
鈥淭he hundreds of images we receive each year are absolutely stunning. They really showcase the astonishing diversity of wild animals we have in B.C., in urban settings and in isolated locations,鈥� said BC SPCA chief scientific officer Dr. Sara Dubois.
鈥淚t certainly makes it hard for the judges to choose the winning photos, which is why we鈥檙e excited to announce that this year, there鈥檚 a new category participating photographers can win 鈥� the People鈥檚 Choice Award.鈥�
By donating to vote, those who cast a ballot for their favourite images will also help animals in need with their donation. The contest supports the BC SPCA鈥檚 Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre on Vancouver Island, where nearly 3,000 orphaned and injured wild animals are cared for each year.
Photos entered in previous contests have been featured in the BC SPCA鈥檚 Animal Sense and Bark! Magazines, as well as in BC SPCA educational materials, local newspapers, websites and social media.
Prizes are awarded for the top three photos in each of two categories: Wild Settings and Backyard Habitats.
All photos of wildlife entered must be taken within B.C. and submitted digitally. 鈥淲ildlife鈥� 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鈥檚 contest and view past winners鈥� images at .
鈥淲e鈥檙e really looking forward to what our province鈥檚 photographers will send us this year 鈥� they never cease to amaze,鈥� Dubois said. 鈥淧articipants always go above and beyond to find striking photo opportunities that represent the resiliency of local wildlife living at the interface with humans.鈥�
For more information, email contest@wildarc.com.
