By Pete McIntyre

Local resident takes top honours in wildlife photo contest

Sep 17, 2020 | 11:30 AM

A Coldstream resident is receiving accolades for his photo of a furry little fellow enjoying a snack.

Thomas Haslinger’s picture of a chipmunk captured first place in BC SPCA’s Wildlife-In-Focus photography contest in the backyard habitat category.

Amateur wildlife photographers in B.C. submitted their pictures as part of the 12th annual contest that celebrates the beauty in B.C.’s wild and urban environments.

Top entries in SPCA photo contest (submitted photos)

Participants competed in two categories: Backyard Habitats, in order to highlight our special relationship with wild animals in backyards and Wild Settings, a category with images featuring animals in their natural habitats.

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A People’s Choice Award was determined as a result of public votes.

“With more than 956 photos submitted, it was a challenge for the contest judges to highlight only a few of the many amazing photos celebrating B.C.’s diverse wildlife,” said Erin Ryan of the BC SPCA. “We want to thank all the participants for sharing their amazing photos and helping to raise more than $32,920 to help the BC SPCA care for injured and orphaned wildlife.”

The winners are:

Backyard Habitats:

First place Thomas Haslinger (Coldstream) – Chipmunk
Second place: D. Ross Fisher (Campbell River) – Robins
Third place: Sandy Stirling (Nanoose Bay) – Tree Frog

Wild Settings:

First place: Joshua Wolfe (New Westminster) – Black Bears
Second place: Greg Peterson (Burnaby) – Short-eared Owl
Third place: Deborah Freeman (Nanoose Bay) – Mink

People’s Choice Award Eileen Harris (Kelowna) – Bee on Flower (seen below)

First-place winners in both judged categories will be featured in the upcoming issue of the BC SPCA’s Animal Sense magazine and the judge’s top three choices in each category and the top 12 People’s Choice photos will appear on a pack of greeting cards available soon through the BC SPCA’s online story (shop.spca.bc.ca).

Visit the SPCA’s website to view the incredible photos captured by amateur photographers across British Columbia.

by Pete McIntyre

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