2024 Wildlife Photography Winners

Birds in all their glory are the stars of the "Feathered Friends" category. Cornwall is home to an array of bird species, each with its unique behaviour and beauty. Photographers can submit images of birds in flight, on the ground, hunting, or simply showcasing their vibrant plumage. This category celebrates avian diversity and the graceful, sometimes dramatic, lives of birds in their natural habitats.

First Prize: Bar tailed godwit by Mark James

This category is proudly sponsored by South West Optics. 

Celebrating the spectacular biodiversity found in Cornwall's coastal and underwater environments. Photographers were encouraged to capture everything from majestic sea creatures to the intricate details of tidal pools. 

First prize: Spiral sea salps by David Hamilton

This category is proudly sponsored by Stormshore

Showcasing the diverse landscapes and land-dwelling wildlife of Cornwall, Terrestrial Treasures highlights the rich variety of habitats from woodlands and meadows to moors and cliffs. Participants could focus on mammals, reptiles, insects, and plants, capturing the intricate relationships and stunning beauty found in terrestrial ecosystems. This category is all about bringing the natural world on land to life through compelling imagery.

First prize: Lichens on a tree branch by Peter Batt

This category is proudly sponsored by Wildanet

Delve into the world of tiny creatures and intricate details. Macro photography brings small subjects into sharp focus, revealing the incredible complexity and beauty of insects, arachnids, fungi, and other minute wonders of nature. This category challenged photographers to explore and highlight the fascinating microcosms that are usually hidden from the naked eye.

First prize: Green tiger beetle by George Turner

This category is proudly sponsored by Seasalt

Wildlife can be both beautiful and amusing. The "Nature's Comedy" category seeks to capture the humorous side of nature, whether it’s animals in funny poses, unexpected interactions, or quirky behaviours. This light-hearted category celebrates the joy and laughter that nature can bring, showing that the wild world is full of surprises and delight.

First prize: "The crisp thief", herring gull by Charlotte O'Neill

This category is proudly sponsored by Sunhouse

For those aged under 18 years. Photos can be of any of the five categories above and the winner will be awarded the title ‘Cornwall Wildlife Trust's Young Photographer of the Year 2024’.

First prize: Common frogs in the garden by Samuel Norris

This category is proudly sponsored by Classic Cottages

Thank you to our sponsors South West Optics, Wildanet, Sunhouse Creative, Stormshore, Classic Cottages, and Seasalt for making this year’s competition possible. To our judging panel Laura Snell, Adrian Langdon, Karin Aldridge and Claire Ireland. Thank you to Truro Cathedral for hosting our exhibition from 18th October to 13th November, and to Berrymans Pasties for their generous donation. And special thanks to Insite Graphics for their generous contribution in creating the exhibition photo panels with sustainable materials. We are truly grateful!