Cornwall Wildlife Trust has launched its first-ever Wildlife Photography Competition with five categories to suit individual interests. 

Wildlife broadcaster Hannah Stitfall will judge the competition alongside local wildlife and photography experts Cheryl Marriott, Adrian Langdon, David Chapman, and Karin Aldridge and will culminate in a special exhibition at Truro Cathedral later this year.

Falmouth Packet: Little egret Little egret (Image: Adrian Langdon)

Cornwall Wildlife Trust spokesperson Scott Marsden said: “This competition aims to inspire the people of Cornwall to discover our amazing wildlife through their cameras and smartphones.

"We want to encourage more people to become aware of the unique wealth of wildlife in Cornwall, whether along the coast, in our moorland, heathland, farmland, wetlands, unique temperate woodland, or in our towns and villages.

"When people look closely at the detail of nature’s colours, forms, behaviour, or simply the spectacular scenes around us, we experience a sense of wonder and awe, leading to greater well-being.

"This competition will be a big celebration of wildlife, with many members of the public coming to Truro Cathedral and viewing the winning photographs."

The following lists the five categories for the Wildlife Photography Competition

  • Animals, sponsored by St. Eval. Cornwall is blessed with an array of beautiful and magnificent animals, from choughs nesting on the rocky shores to grey seals playing in the surf and deer roaming Bodmin Moor. Send in your best shots of animal life in wild Cornwall. 
  • Underwater World, sponsored by Seasalt.  Images for this category can focus on animal behaviour or underwater environments that highlight the incredible biodiversity and colour of Cornish marine life. 
  • Plants and fungi, sponsored by Southern England Farms. This category includes botanical subjects photographed in Cornwall, trees, plants, flowers, fungi and lichens. Capture the essence, beauty and diversity of Cornwall’s botanical world, whether close-up, macro or as part of a wider scene. 
  • People in Nature, sponsored by Sunhouse Creative. Nature lifts our spirits, boosts our health and wellbeing and so much more. This category highlights what nature means to us in Cornwall, to celebrate it and show how closely connected we can be. Images for this category should focus on people in Cornwall's beautiful landscapes and scenery. 
  • Wildlife on my doorstep, sponsored by Woodland Collection. An opportunity to showcase the wildlife that can be found close to home – wild animals or plants in our Cornish gardens, villages, towns, parks, and backyards. 

Falmouth Packet: What a leap! What a leap! (Image: David Chapman)

There is also a Young Photographer category, sponsored by Visit Cornwall, for children aged under 18 years. Photos can be from any of the categories above and the winner will be awarded the title ‘Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s Young Photographer of the Year 2023’.

In addition to prizes and trophies, the winning and runner-up photos will be on display on canvases in the cathedral from October 6 until November 17 2023, along with inspiring wildlife conservation information relating to each one.  

To enter, visit https://www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk/2023-wildlife-photography-competition