OVERALL WINNER AND BLACK & WHITE WINNER

Contrails at DawnPaul Colley, Coate Water Country Park, Wiltshire

Ghostly contrails reveal the flight paths and

wingbeats of Daubenton’s bats. An infrared camera, lighting system and high-speed camera trap, that were 14 months in development, overcame the challenge of photographing the high-speed flight of these small mammals in the dark. The in-camera double exposure caught the foreground bat milliseconds before it caught the insect.

Nikon D750 modified to infrared, 12-24mm f/4,

4 secs, f/8, ISO400Paul

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ANIMAL PORTRAITS – HIGHLY COMMENDED

Shy PuffinCsaba Tokolyi, Skomer, Pembrokeshire

Preening is important for puffins – second

only to feeding. During this time, the bird removes dirt, dust and parasites from its feathers; if maintained, they stay waterproof and provide perfect insulation. As the puffin is a seabird that nests underground, there are a lot of things to do to keep the plumage in top shape.

Nikon D7200, 70-200mm f/4,

1/2500 sec, f/4 , ISO640

Andy Harris / British Wildlife Photography Awards

ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR

Pheasant CallAndy Harris, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire

Wild pheasants treat our land as theirs and

are welcomed as part of the landscape of home. This was shot on a spring evening with soft, golden-hour, light and a beautiful male bird calling to the wild. Getting low to the ground and waiting patiently for the setting sun to illuminate his call, a shutter click captured the moment.

Nikon D810, 500mm f/4,

1/1000 sec, f/4, ISO220

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WILD WOODS – HIGHLY COMMENDED

MushroomsRoss Hoddinott, Broxwater, Cornwall

Just before Christmas, my father-in-law popped over

with his chainsaw to help cut up logs ready for winter. While sawing, we uncovered a log decorated with an amazing clump of tiny mushrooms. I opted for a low viewpoint in order to show the structure and detail of the fungi.

Nikon D850, 200mm f/4 macro,

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Craig Churchill / British Wildlife Photography Awards

Dr John H Brackenbury / British Wildlife Photography Awards

Craig Churchill / British Wildlife Photography Awards

ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR

Painted Lady Butterfly in FlightDr John H Brackenbury, Wimpole, Cambridgeshire

I took this shot of a painted lady butterfly

in flight using just ambient lighting. The shot was handheld, with no automatic triggering device or remote release being used.

Nikon 1 J5, 2.7mm fisheye,

1/6500 sec, f/1.8, ISO800

ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR

Duck FightCraig Churchill, Woodstock, Oxfordshire

The first snows of winter always send me into a

panic: do I go out looking for random subjects or go where I know I can get good shots? On this occasion the local lake came up trumps, as many mallards were present, desperately looking for grass to feed on. I lay in the snow for about half an hour shooting the ducks… suddenly, two drakes engaged in a battle! They pecked each other, jumped in the air and flapped their wings – it was an incredible spectacle.

Nikon D800, 500mm f/4,

1/1250 sec, f/5.6, ISO400

ANIMAL PORTRAITS

Backlit BoarCraig Churchill, Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire

I’d heard rumours that a wild boar and her young

were showing down in the Forest of Dean. It’s a species I’ve always failed to see after many visits, so when I arrived early in frosty overcast conditions, my confidence was low. I drove along the road and suddenly they were in front of me, crossing the road. They allowed a close approach, but I stayed back with a longer lens. The sun emerged later on in the afternoon, which allowed good backlit opportunities.

Nikon D500, 500mm f/4,

1/320 sec, f/4, ISO400

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Kirsty Andrews / British Wildlife Photography Awards

These images have been published from British Wildlife Photography Awards 9 published by Ammonite Press, RRP £25, available online and from all good bookshops. See http://bit.ly/BWPA9 The British Wildlife Photography Awards were established to recognize the talents of photographers

practising in Britain, while at the same time highlighting the great wealth and diversity of Britain’s natural history. With a nationwide touring exhibition of the best entries, the Awards aim to celebrate British wildlife through a collection of inspirational photographs, while showcasing the best of British nature photography. The Awards also hope to raise awareness about British biodiversity, species and habitats and encourage discovery, exploration, conservation and enjoyment of our natural heritage. Visit www.bwpawards.org

waited for the seal to approach. Grey seals are incredibly photogenic, with big, Labrador-like eyes and expressions, and with its flippers outstretched, this one really seemed to be posing for the camera.

Nikon D7200, 10-17mm,

1/200 sec f/11, ISO200

COAST & MARINE – HIGHLY COMMENDED

Ta Da!Kirsty Andrews, Farne Islands, Northumberland

This juvenile grey seal kept circling the rocks

to get a closer look at me. I moved into a position to enable me to capture the afternoon sun rays, and

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