Vancouver Islander wins grand prize in wildlife images contest

A Vancouver Island photographer has received prime prize within the third annual Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA) Photo Contest. 

This contest is held yearly as a strategy to spotlight the beautiful great thing about Canada’s wildlife and their habitats, which Jeremy Mathieu managed to deliver to life in a photograph he took of herring spawn, simply off Vancouver Island. 

Mathieu took his photograph of herring spawn on Cleland Island, simply northwest of Clayoquot Sound. 

With his {photograph}, Mathieu’s purpose was to spotlight the significance of the herring spawn for west coast ecosystems as they assist assist an enormous vary of range and abundance of marine and terrestrial life.

“Coming to the contest new this year, I was blown away by the talent demonstrated by photographers from all across the country,” mentioned visitor choose Shane Gross. 

“Choosing a grand prize winner was a particular challenge for the entire panel, but the scale of the biological event taking place just beneath the waves in Jeremy Mathieu’s stunning seascape really accentuated the awe-inspiring beauty of British Columbia’s coastline.”

In addition to the grand prize, a number of different photographers have been awarded prizes for his or her images of flora and fungi, fauna, landscapes and folks concerned in defending Canada’s pure magnificence. 

Aside from Mathieu’s large win, two different photographers got awards for his or her work on this yr’s KBA Photo Contest. 

Deborah Freeman received first within the flora and fungi class for {a photograph} she took within the Carmanah Walbran Forest KBA.

Michael Bezener took second place within the flora and fungi class for a photograph taken within the Okanagan, whereas additionally profitable first within the landscapes class.

See their images under:

According to the organizers of the competition, this yr was the toughest to evaluate but, as over 400 submissions have been made. 

“We received breathtaking photos from every province and territory, showcasing the diversity, beauty, and resilience of Canada’s KBAs,” mentioned Peter Soroye, Key Biodiversity Areas Assessment and Outreach Coordinator at WCS Canada. 

“We’re grateful to every photographer who participated and made the judging process both challenging and inspiring.”

In addition to sharing the winners in every class, the KBA Photo Contest additionally shared quite a few beautiful images that have been deemed worthy of an honourable point out. 

To see extra KBA images, click here.