Essex Wildlife Trust have concluded judging their 2018 photography competition and have decided the six category winners, but now they are calling on the public to vote for their favourite to decide the overall winner.

The panel of judges including Essex Wildlife Trust’s CEO, Andrew Impey, acclaimed wildlife photographer, Russell Savory and two of Essex Wildlife Trust’s employees and keen photographers have now passed the vote to you. Voting closes at the end of January and the overall winner will be announced shortly after. The image that receives the most votes will be crowned the overall winner and will receive a £200 prize. The photography competition is kindly sponsored by ACL (Adult Community Learning), part of Essex County Council, the largest providers of adult learning courses in Essex.

The full list of category winners in the race for the overall winner, are as follows:
• ‘Smart work’ won by Stephen Rampling’s colourful image of a Common Blue Butterfly resting on vegetation
• ‘Gardener’s world’ won by Andrew Smith’s skilful image of a Leafcutter Bee mid-flight
• ‘A wildlife motion picture’ won by Darren Lindsey’s majestic image of a Barn Owl mid-flight
• ‘Nature’s funny side’ won by James Ball’s comical image of a leaning Little Owl
• ‘EWT to a Tee’ won by Dave Watts’ cinematic image of Ray Island nature reserve
• ‘Young blood’ won by Max Martin’s striking image of an Adder

The competition has yet again been a wonderful showcase of the magnificent breadth of wildlife and wild places available to us in Essex, we would like to thank everyone who entered!

To view the images and vote for your favourite, please click here.