UK wildlife photography competition 2010 shortlist - Mammals
Overall Winner - Three Deer glade by Mark Sims: Deer are not difficult to photograph so it has to be pretty special to take the overall winner slot. It is. This is a brilliantly conceived photograph, superbly executed. Atmospheric and moody, it is also well exposed in challenging conditions. But the balance of its composition is outstanding. Is it the most challenging British wildlife shot ever taken? No. But that is nothing to do with the photographer, he has found a beautiful situation and turned it into something magical.
Runner Up - Water Vole by Lee Davis: This however is a challenging subject. You don't just wander to your local canal or stream and find one of these critters posing for you. This has a considerable degree of difficulty attached and it has it all. Reflection, richness of colour, catch light and symmetry. Wow! Most of all I get the impression that it was taken from a different post code as this shy creature looks completely unconcerned which is important. Good graft, good interpretation, very good photograph.
Deer dominated the entries for 2010, and the finalists & winner reflect that dominance. Mark Simms simple yet glorious shot of the three Fallow deer in Richmond Park caught our eye when it first arrived, and grew and grew each time we looked. Last year's overall winner, Lee Davis, pipped everyone else for second place with his lovely shot of a water vole on the Cromford Canal in Derbyshire.
Richmond Park is handy for anyone in the South East of England, and you are guaranteed plenty of deer. Lyme Park in Cheshire also features several times and is a magnificent setting. Scroll down to see larger images.
The Finalists - scroll down to see larger images
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| Red Deer in Richmond Park, Surrey. Photo by Mark Simms. |
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| Red deer in Lyme Park, Cheshire. Photo by Michael Batty |
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| Red deer in Richmond Park. Photo by Matt Gibson |
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| Red deer in Lyme Park, Cheshire. Photo by Michael Batty |
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| Runner up: Watervole on the Cromford Canal, Derbyshire. Photo by 2009 winner Lee Davis |
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| Fallow deer in Lyme Park, Cheshire. Photo by Michael Batty. |
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| Winner: Fallow deer in Richmond Park, Surrey. Photo by Mark Simms. |
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| Squirrel in Richmond Park, Surrey. Photo by Mark Simms |
Watervole on the Cromford Canal, Derbyshire. Photo by 2009 winner Lee Davis
Red Deer in Richmond Park, Surrey. Photo by Mark Simms.
