A remarkably well-timed photograph capturing a butterfly and bee delicately balancing together on a single flower has claimed top honors in a wildlife photography competition that challenged participants to "capture the wild." The winning image was taken by Rob Willis at Lower Moor Farm nature reserve near Malmesbury, which is owned and operated by the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust.
The competition, known as the Wiltshire Wildlife Photography Prize, was judged by a distinguished panel of three experts, including Nick Upton, an award-winning wildlife photographer, filmmaker, and biologist. The judges were particularly impressed by the exceptional detail captured in Willis's photograph, which shows both creatures perched on a thistle flower in perfect harmony.
Several other photographers received high commendations in the adult category for their outstanding work. Phillip Male earned recognition for his striking image of two owls perched together on a tree stump, with judges praising the "perfect focus" he achieved on the owls' eyes. The panel noted that Male's work demonstrated both technical excellence and artistic vision.
Adam Silk also received high commendation for his compelling photograph of a deer family. The judges described Silk's image as the product of "no doubt huge patience," highlighting how the deer were captured in sharp focus while being beautifully "framed by the vegetation around them and the sky above." This composition created a natural and aesthetically pleasing portrait of wildlife in its habitat.
The judging panel emphasized the skill and dedication required for such photography, noting that Willis's winning shot combined "patience to wait for this moment with good technical skill and an aesthetic sense to capture this strong image." The competition successfully showcased the diverse wildlife found in Wiltshire and the artistic talents of local photographers who dedicate themselves to documenting nature's beauty.
