Young RSPCA

Photographer: Joshua Cox
Category: Under 12 - Winner 2021
Title: Snow stag
Description: I took this picture in Richmond Park on a cold morning at the start of January. I spotted the deer in the wood. I followed them there and found this big stag. As I started to photograph him with my new camera it started to snow hard. I love going to Richmond Park to watch the deer there with my dad throughout the year. The park is local to where we live and provides a great place to see wildlife on our door step.

Photographer: Tess Easterbrook
Category: Under 12 - Runner-up 2021
Title: Regal raven
Description: This photo was taken at the Tower of London. I liked how the raven was looking away from me and the colour of the light in the background.

Photographer: Michael Johnson-Browne
Category: Under 12 - Commended 2021
Title: Flying penguins
Description: I visited this island whilst we were living in the Falklands and it is one of the most beautiful places I have seen. This photo was taken on North Beach - there is a sea lion there who regularly attacks the penguins as they return in the late afternoon. On this occasion the weather was amazing and we counted 5 sea lions who appeared to be working together hunting. I had been trying to get a picture of the Gentoos as they land on the beach and had found it hard as they come in so quick, but this day huge groups were coming in together and then running up the beach to get away. It was quite exciting watching all this but also a little sad. I was really pleased with how this picture turned out.

Photographer: William Tumelty
Category: Under 12 - Commended 2021
Title: Red-crested pochard
Description: This photo was taken whilst I was walking along through the wetlands, and I saw a beautiful, golden crest with a stunning pink bill in front of me. The background was not distracting so that it didn't take away from the effect of the subject. In order to get the best photo, I knew that I needed to get eye level with the subject and focus in on its eye. I kept a suitable distance away and remained stealthy so as not to disturb the bird and allowing it to understand that I wasn't a threat. The pochard was perched on a precariously placed root with the water behind it. I only took two photos of the bird as it was the perfect shot.

Photographer: Tess Easterbrook
Category: Under 12 - Commended 2021
Title: Puffin with lunch
Description: I took this photo of the puffin on the Farne Islands in Northumberland. We were about to leave the island when this Puffin landed in front of me with a beak full of sand eels.

Photographer: Elise Thomas
Category: 12-15 - Winner 2021
Title: Golden glow
Description: The morning of the 23rd August was just magical, I woke up at 4am feeling motivated to go find some wildlife! Luckily I came across a beautiful spot on our farm in Sledmere that was lit up by the golden light. At this moment in time I wasn't fully expecting to see anything, but to my delight a female roe deer wandered out from the woods and stood in the perfect place, I love how atmospheric the light makes this image look. I'm very proud of this image and it just goes to show that hard work really does pay off!

Photographer: Brooke Haycock
Category: 12-15 - Runner-up 2021
Title: Reality of nature
Description: I spend a lot of time looking for Tawny owls in the surrounding woodland where I live. I became interested in these elusive and beautiful owls a couple of years ago when I found my first nesting site. Ever since that day I have been addicted to watching their behaviour, especially in the spring and summer when they are raising young. I have developed a skill for finding these secretive birds and I regularly come across them on my walks with my camera. They really are all around, well-hidden amongst the foliage of the trees, watching us. Since my first photograph of a Tawny owl, I have dreamt of achieving a shot of an owl with prey. This summer, I spent many hours at dusk to try to capture a food pass from parent to chick. On this particular evening I followed the call of an owlet and waited patiently behind a bush with my camera at the ready. After half an hour, when the light started to drop, the sound of alarming birds came closer and closer. It was then I realised that the adult Tawny was approaching the chick perched in front of me. In the corner of my eye I saw a quick flash of movement and quickly adjusted my hand on the shutter. To my amazement, the adult had delivered a frog to the noisily begging chick. There was a split-second when the owlet looked down my lens and then I knew I had got the dream shot that I had wanted for many years. I felt very privileged and exhilarated.

Photographer: Joshua Garbutt
Category: 12-15 - Commended 2021
Title: A caring mother
Description:I've been spending a lot of time watching the black necked grebes this year and was hoping I would be able to photograph there young this year and one morning I was lucky enough to have encountered this mother carrying her three chicks on her back.

Photographer: James Pearson
Category: 12-15 - Commended 2021
Title: Brood parasite
Description: This particular cuckoo is rather well known among bird watchers as being pretty reliable for excellent photography and viewing opportunities, so when I heard that he had completed his annual journey from central Africa to the British shores I simply had to chance a visit. I had never seen a cuckoo before so didn't really know what to expect, after waiting around for several hours I'm the typical miserable British weather to no avail, we decided to leave and hope for better luck next weekend. The following weekend we returned on higher spirits (although are expectations lowered rather substantially) and within the 10 minutes it took to get in a suitable photography position and the tripod up we first heard that iconic call of the British countryside and within no time flew down to greet us, clumsily landing for a short period of time on a beautifully scenic lichen covered branch allowing me to take a short burst of photos before flying back up and perching around 4 metres above our heads. A magical and unforgettable experience and safe to say our expectations were rightfully surpassed.

Photographer: Dan Hancock-Smith
Category: 12-15 - Commended 2021
Title: Waving seal
Description: I was able to go to Norfolk in seal pup season. There were many seal pups across the whole beach, but this one stood out to me. As it struck an unusual pose, I took this photo of it. The composition of this photo shows a symmetrical view of the head and body until the attention is on the flipper bringing the photo together more.

Photographer: Ezra Boulton
Category: 16-18 - Winner 2021
Title: Beauty in chaos
Description: On this day the sea was really rough, I noticed that down the coast there was a massive rock which had a hole in the middle of it. Every time a wave entered the cave it would explode into a cloud of water vapour. To put a cherry on the cake a herring gull had just landed right in front of the hole. I slightly underexposed and zoomed my lens out, then all I had to do was wait until the right moment. The high contrast photo creates a dramatic and chaotic habitat shot. Although the seagull is small in the frame, I like how your eye is drawn to it straight away. Lands End, Cornwall, UK.

Photographer: Jacob Rheams
Category: 16-18 - Runner-up 2021
Title: A headless swan?
Description: This photo shows a swan preening its feathers at Jephson Gardens in Leamington Spa. I have travelled to many amazing destinations around the world to see unique and exotic species, but this image really just shows how some of the best photos and animal experiences can come from those species which can be found on your doorstep. To capture the photo, I sat by the side of the river leam watching a pair of mute swans feeding and preening, I managed to capture this particular photo right at the moment the swans head disappeared behind its wing. Giving a unique and arty image.

Photographer: Joshua Myers
Category: 16-18 - Commended 2021
Title: Cuteness overload
Description: This image was taken while I was out photographing Dippers in the Peak District where I was not so savagely attacked by a gang of Ducklings who wanted to take my fingers and shoelaces. It was a very fun and unexpected surprise to top off a nice laid back morning after photographing one of my favourite birds.

Photographer: Jake Kneale
Category: 16-18 - Commended 2021
Title: Streak of gold
Description: It's a fantastic experience looking over the railings at the various viewpoints at RSPB Bempton Cliffs. I was struck by the unusual view of the gannets returning back to their nests on the huge cliffs. As the sun set it highlighted the edges of the waves, rocks and birds in gold. East Riding of Yorkshire, England.

Photographer: Isabella Martin
Category: Under 12 Mobile Phone & Devices - Winner 2021
Title: Bedtime play
Description: Hattie is my best friend. I have Coeliac disease and hypermobility that sometimes makes me very sad at bedtime because my joints hurt. Hattie makes me smile because she always sleeps on my bed and plays the best games. I love her very much.

Photographer: Michael Johnson-Browne
Category: Under 12 Mobile Phone & Devices - Runner-up 2021
Title: Ferdie bird
Description: Whilst living in the Falklands last year we were asked to look after a rescued kelp gosling. We had Ferdinand from very young and he followed us everywhere. Kelp geese have quite a specific diet so he needed taking to the beach several times a day to let him forage for seaweed. Ferdie always stayed right next to you and followed anywhere you went. He was also an excellent subject for photos. This photo was taken when he was still very young on one of the first trip to the beach when he was still a little scared of water! I knew when he was tired as he would come and sit on my boot. I never thought I would be walking a goose on a beach but it was excellent.

Photographer: Lara West
Category: Under 12 Mobile Phone & Devices - Commended 2021
Title: Marching Captain Heron
Description: We all have our purpose in life. This heron has found his: although free to fly away from his sanctuary, he chooses to stay and guard it - occasionally marching like the captain of his bird crew.

Photographer: Ollie Smith
Category: 12 - 15 Mobile Phone & Devices - Winner 2021
Title: Stingray Steve
Description: During the August 2021 summer holidays my brother and I spent some time in Cornwall with our Nan and Grandad who lives in Newquay. My Grandad took me, my brother and my Uncle Nick to the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth for my 12th birthday. There were sharks, fish, stingrays and many more marine animals. I love watching the fish swim around! The stingray was my favourite, the face looks so funny I had to take a photo of it as it swam past.

Photographer: Enzo Olliff
Category: 12 - 15 Mobile Phone & Devices - Runner-up 2021
Title: Wasp with attitude
Description: I took this photo in spring this year, with a Macro lens attached to my Samsung s20 ultra when I was in my garden trying to capture some macro images of insects. I had an apexel lens on my phone and got in as close as I could to this wasp who seemed particularly keen on this individual flower, so gave me a few short seconds to snap a shot.

Photographer: Seth Franklin
Category: 12 - 15 Mobile Phone & Devices - Commended 2021
Title: Snowy swan
Description: I live by the River Severn in Worcester and love seeing all of the birds. During lockdown we watched the cygnets grow up.

Photographer: Sioned Evans
Category: 12 - 15 Mobile Phone & Devices - Commended 2021
Title: Silver-studded blue
Description: Out on a walk in Mynydd Mawr Country Park in late August this year. These butterflies were on top of the plants, my father loves wildlife and he didn't even see them. I took it on a Samsung S9 phone. The photo has not been edited only cropped. I carefully got as close to the butterflies as I could to get the photo.

Photographer: Joshua Le'Tailleur
Category: 16 - 18 Mobile Phone & Devices - Winner 2021
Title: Brimstone butterfly
Description: For this image of a Brimstone butterfly my intent was to capture the smallest features that are normally overlooked when seeing this bug. I drew attention away from the wings by leaving them out of focus whilst instead drawing the attention eyes, body feature and colour change across the insect. I wanted the viewer to be able to see every spot, vein, leg, antennae and layer of hair on this insect. Furthermore, in my image, I try to show a brief insight into the insect's life and this is why I photographed the butterfly in a location where it would normally live as a camouflage to hide.

Photographer: Grace Taylor
Category: 16 - 18 Mobile Phone & Devices - Runner-up 2021
Title: Peekaboo!
Description: This is a photo of my cat Ronnie when he was a kitten, hiding under our lounge curtains. He's very mischievous and likes hiding under things or in small spaces. On this particular occasion, he had hidden under the curtains without me knowing and suddenly peeked out when I sat down next to him. I quickly got my phone out and managed to take this picture of him. I'm really happy with how it turned out and I especially like how the sun came out at just the right time and provided the perfect lighting for it.

Photographer: Henry Zhao
Category: 16 - 18 Mobile Phone & Devices - Commended 2021
Title: Perseverance
Description: This woodpigeon was shot on an Apple iPhone 11 Pro in my back garden in the afternoon, using a Bluetooth shutter remote to avoid scaring it. It captures real determination, as the large bird practices professional acrobatics for a meal from a feeder designed for little birds. Fun fact also: woodpigeons can create a suction in their mouth which allows them to eat upside down and drink without lifting their head.

Photographer: Megan Brown
Category: Picture Perfect Pets - Winner 2021
Title: Delightful donkeys
Description: I took this photo when I had just brought the donkeys in for the night into their stable. I feel like it really captures their characters and personalities. The donkeys have been with us for 1 year, after being rehomed, they have become much more confident - with their characters shining through more and more each day. Mary is loving, and caring - whilst Jenny her daughter is mischievous, yet will still hide behind her mum if she gets scared, even though she is the bigger of the two!

Photographer: Maya Howarth
Category: Picture Perfect Pets - Runner-up 2021
Title: Waiting for treats
Description: This is my dog Edie. I photograph her often, and when she sees the camera she knows to sit and pose for treats. On this occasion, I was helping my dad set up the studio for his photography job and wasn't intending to photograph my dog, but as soon as she saw the backdrop roll down, she ran in and got ready for her photo. I snapped this photo as she was licking her lips expecting a treat. I chose to enter this photo because I like the expression on her face. My dog is one of my favourite subjects to photograph as she is very photogenic and I enjoy capturing her personality through my photos. If you look closely, you can see the reflection in her eyes of my dad holding out a treat as she is looking at him and waiting in anticipation.

Photographer: Ben Hancock-Smith
Category: Small World - Winner 2021
Title: Hidden Below
Description: I found this wasp spider on its web down in the grass and was quite hidden away. I laid down to try and get lower than the spider so I could get the sunset coming through the grass in the picture.

Photographer: Owen Mortimer
Category: Small World - Runner-up 2021
Title: Dew
Description: During the height of summer, one early July morning I decided to take the trip out to my local pond to photograph damselflies. As the sun was just rising over the horizon, I noticed the outline of several glistening dew-covered damselflies resting on top of the reeds. I carefully made my way into the cold water and headed towards an island of reeds in the pond. From here I carefully chose my subject, a beautiful male azure damselfly. The previous cold night and high humidity had left him covered in dew almost crystal like in appearance. I gradually lowered myself into the water to come eye level with the damselfly, allowing me to produce a stunning bright yellow background as the sun lit up aquatic plants in the background, giving the insect a contrasting vibrant appearance.

Photographer: Ezra Boulton
Category: Portfolio - Winner 2021
Title: A rat's home
Description: I'd been photographing this rat and its family who live in a woodshed in my garden. When I took this photo I zoomed fully out so that you could see the rat in its habitat. I like that although the rat is small in the frame your eye is still drawn straight into it. Cornwall, UK.

Photographer: Ezra Boulton
Category: Portfolio - Winner 2021
Title: Rat between metals
Description: I noticed this rat was using this path, so I left some grain there so that I could capture this unusual photo of this rat amongst all the old metal. As I waited the sun came through the leaves of a nearby tree, putting a spotlight on the rat's face. Cornwall, UK.

Photographer: Ezra Boulton
Category: Portfolio - Winner 2021
Title: Put your best paw forward
Description: This young rat was poised with its relaxed paw for a brief moment coming out from a wood stack. I like the perspective of the rat amidst the upright pieces. Cornwall, UK.

Photographer: Ezra Boulton
Category: Portfolio - Winner 2021
Title: Rat in old car's tyre
Description: I like how all the holes in the car tyre mirror the rat's eyes. The inner circle frames the rat's head and paws perfectly. Cornwall, UK.

Photographer: Ezra Boulton
Category: Portfolio - Winner 2021
Title: Rat portrait
Description: I spent a long time gaining this rat's trust by slowly crawling towards it on my stomach. I got within a couple of metres of it before taking a photo. As I pointed my camera at it, it stared straight into the lens. The rat didn't seem fazed by me and carried on with its day like nothing had happened. Cornwall, UK.

Photographer: Ben Hancock-Smith
Category: Portfolio - Runner-up 2021
Title: Golden haze
Description: On a winter evening I had been standing in a freezing cold field in hopes of a barn owl appearing. Eventually it appeared and it passed by the setting sun which backlit the owl and created a golden haze.

Photographer: Ben Hancock-Smith
Category: Portfolio - Runner-up 2021
Title: Golden wings
Description: One morning I was watching a male tufted duck washing himself and with previous experience watching them I laid down and got ready to photograph it when it flapped its wings to shake off the water. When it did I captured it with his wings being illuminated by the golden light.

Photographer: Ben Hancock-Smith
Category: Portfolio - Runner-up 2021
Title: Sunrise swan
Description: As the sun rose a thin layer of mist covered the lake and I was down in the mud photographing waterfowl when one of the mute swans I regularly photograph started swimming towards me. I took the opportunity to get a shot of them with the golden light.

Photographer: Ben Hancock-Smith
Category: Portfolio - Runner-up 2021
Title: Golden evening
Description: One evening I came across two Roebucks and decided to try and photograph them despite knowing how skittish the ones down there were. In a weird turn of events though my presence did not disturb them and they walked past me. This one had the sun behind him when I took the shot capturing him with a golden haze.

Photographer: Ben Hancock-Smith
Category: Portfolio - Runner-up 2021
Title: The sinking sun
Description: After spending over an hour one evening in hopes of capturing a Barn owl, the sun began to set and started sinking down. I spotted a Skippers butterfly fluttering around which then perched on the end of some grass in front of sun and I composed the shot to get both the sun, and butterfly in.

Photographer: Joshua Myers
Category: Portfolio - Commended 2021
Title: Daisy
Description: This image of my friends dog Daisy, it was nice to be out and about shooting images while catching up with my friend after the first long Covid-19 lockdown.

Photographer: Joshua Myers
Category: Portfolio - Commended 2021
Title: Happy Henry
Description: Henry is my Grandad's dog, he looked amazing in the area of woodland that I chose to do this photoshoot in, he sat and posed for me like a model.

Photographer: Joshua Myers
Category: Portfolio - Commended 2021
Title: Pippi
Description: I was given the amazing opportunity by a friend after the first Covid-19 Lockdown to photograph her beautiful little Puppy, I went with her to the local park where we did the photoshoot. Pippi behaved amazingly and was a pleasure to photograph.

Photographer: Joshua Myers
Category: Portfolio - Commended 2021
Title: Ozzie playing
Description: This image was part of a very muddy photoshoot, on this shoot I was photographing two different dogs Ozzy and Barney who had lots of energy on a flooded field. Me and my equipment were covered in mud by the end of the shoot.

Photographer: Joshua Myers
Category: Portfolio - Commended 2021
Title: Barney standing proud
Description: This image was part of a very muddy photoshoot, on this shoot I was photographing two different dogs Ozzy and Barney who had lots of energy on a flooded field. Me and my equipment were covered in mud by the end of the shoot.

Photographer: Ben Hancock-Smith
Category: Portfolio - Commended 2021
Title: Drying off
Description: There were a lot coots swimming and feeding on the lake when I noticed one not too far away washing itself. I laid down on the edge next to the lake and started photographing it as it splashed about until it started to flap its wings to dry them off when it had finished.

Photographer: Ben Hancock-Smith
Category: Portfolio - Commended 2021
Title: Lunchtime
Description: There were a family of coots looking for food not too far from the edge of the lake. I saw one of the young chicks swim up to its parents side and then stuck its head up to get a meal. The parent turned its head with food in their beak to feed it to their chick.

Photographer: Ben Hancock-Smith
Category: Portfolio - Commended 2021
Title: Run
Description: Whilst photographing Coots I have noticed that they tend to be very aggressive and territorial. I laid down and watched out for Coots nearby that may start chasing one another and sure enough one broke out. The intruder sprinted across the water and I was able to get this shot.

Photographer: Ben Hancock-Smith
Category: Portfolio - Commended 2021
Title: Golden mist
Description: At my local nature reserve one morning I had gotten down just before sunrise to photograph waterfowl when the sun rose. A layer of mist had covered the lake and I spotted a Coot swimming in my direction through it. I took the shot and was able to capture it with the golden mist.

Photographer: Ben Hancock-Smith
Category: Portfolio - Commended 2021
Title: Reflection
Description: One morning at dawn, I was down at my local nature reserve photographing Coots. The water was fairly calm and still when I had one swim towards me with the sun behind it and almost had a full reflection.