Better world

Ready for bed

An owlet held by a professional handler.

Photographer

Jamie Smart

Category

Better world – Winner 2024

Description

I was privileged to be able to go along to watch and document the process of ringing and measuring barn owlets by professional licensed handlers on a farm in Mid Wales. I took this photo of the owlet just as they were ready to be put back into their nest box having just been measured and ringed. What a bundle of fluff they were!

Head in the cups

A chicken roaming through the flowers.

Photographer

Jamie Smart

Category

Better world  – Runner-up 2024

Description

How nice would it be for all chickens to have the chance to roam in buttercups every day? Having the freedom and space to roam and forage makes for happier chooks! Cockerels don’t usually have the chance to live past a certain age so it’s heartwarming to see this chappy enjoying the sunshine and buttercups.

Dawn chorus

A corn bunting singing at dawn.

Photographer

Jamie Smart

Category

Better world – Commended 2024

Description

This is a corn bunting singing their heart out at dawn like they hadn’t a care in the world. I wish for a world where we could wake up to a dawn chorus or hear bird song every day, and these little creatures were thriving. I captured this image very, very early one morning using the car as a hide. I remember his/her song being so loud and I had to lower the car window very slowly to avoid spooking them.

A special bond

A happy dog called Harry with his owner.

Photographer

Hope Whittaker

Category

Better world – Commended 2024

Description

Harry’s humans call him happiness in a bottle. If I’m having a bad day, he makes me feel joy again. I took this when he came for a visit and spent time trying to take the best shots while he went about doing his own thing. I feel it shows the bond between Harry and his human and how he enjoys spending time with the people he loves. I’m autistic and I hope my photography helps people see the world in a whole new light.