Essex Wildlife Trust has revealed the winners of the Photography Competition 2024.

Since September, the public have been submitting their images to the Trust’s competition.

This year, the panel of judges from the Trust, were joined by Dr Julie Hutson ARPS (Associate of the Royal Photographic Society) and committee member of the East Anglia Federation of Photographic Clubs, to select the winning images.

The six category winners have been announced as:

• A Wildlife Motion Picture: Peter Jackson with ‘Oystercatcher acrobatics’ – taken in Maldon

• A Wilder Essex: Vai Meng Chan with ‘Rabbit love’ – taken in Eastbrookend Country Park, Dagenham

• Coastal Captures: Andrew Jacobs with ‘Playing the clarinet’ – taken in Walton-on-the-Naze

• Captivating Colours: Darren Taczynski with ‘Wrinkled peach mushroom’ – taken in Langdon Nature Discovery Park, Basildon
• Gardener’s World: Viki Paterson with ‘Common blue damselfly’ – taken in a garden in Terling

• Young Blood (under 16s): Leah Bloom with ‘Peekaboo!’ – taken at Copped Hall, Epping

The public are asked to vote for their overall favourite, by 19 January. The overall winner will be announced on the Trust’s channels at the end of January.

In February, the category winners, runners up and highly commended images will be on display at High Chelmer Shopping Centre, who sponsor the competition.

Vote for your favourite

Lauren Cosson, Communications and Marketing Manager for Essex Wildlife Trust, said:

“We are amazed by the standard of this year’s competition entries. With over 800 images to judge, it was tough to choose our six favourites. From the gliding oystercatcher and relaxing seal, to the close-up captures of vibrant insects and fungi, the winning images are a true reflection of the diverse and varied wildlife we have in Essex. We can’t wait to see which one the public chooses as their overall favourite.”

Karen Howard, Centre Manager for High Chelmer Shopping Centre, said:

“Each year we very much look forward to displaying the fantastic images captured around the county showing exceptional talent and vision. The showcase will help raise awareness and appreciation amongst our shoppers to recognise the magnificent wildlife in our local surroundings and engage with nature, whilst helping to promote positive wellbeing and health. By showcasing these images, we are bringing wildlife into the Centre to be enjoyed by all.”