Wild photo winners

Wild photo winners

Fungi by Nick Southam

A different view of fungi taken by a Droitwich-based photographer has won a photography competition run by a local charity.

Nick Southam’s fungi, taken under blue light in Droitwich Community Woods, beat more than 350 other images to become overall winner after a public vote held in June. The fungi photo takes pride of place on the front cover of Worcestershire Wildlife Trust’s 2027 calendar.

11 other winning images feature throughout the calendar, together showcasing Worcestershire’s amazing wildlife and wild spaces. Winners each receive a copy of the calendar, which is produced to raise funds for the charity’s conservation work across the county.

Commenting on how he took the winning image, Nick Southam said “I’m absolutely delighted to have won, especially after one of my images was a runner-up in last year’s competition but didn’t quite make it into the main calendar. That experience inspired me to spend more time searching for fungi and to think more carefully about creating an atmospheric image, rather than simply recording what I found. 

“Fungi can be easily overlooked but they’re incredibly diverse and fascinating. It’s been rewarding to slow down, explore local woodlands and try to capture their beauty. 

“It’s a real honour that this photograph has connected with so many people and I’d like to thank everyone who took the time to vote for it.”

As well as 12 winning images, which feature as A4-size photos, the calendar features 24 images from runners-up.

The popular competition, which attracted entries from 80 photographers, runs each year to encourage people to pause and take a closer look at the wonderful natural world of Worcestershire.

Fungi can be easily overlooked but they’re incredibly diverse and fascinating. It’s been rewarding to slow down, explore local woodlands and try to capture their beauty.
Nick Southam
overall winner

All Trust staff are involved in judging the competition before professional wildlife photographer Pete Walkden (Pete Walkden Photography) and semi-professional photographer Jason Curtis (Wyre Wildlife) help with the final judging.

Wendy Carter, organiser of the Trust’s competition, said “Nick’s stunning image is a worthy winner of this year’s photo competition; it’s a really arresting image for the front cover of our calendar.

“We love seeing the range of wildlife and wild places that are captured by so many people who enjoy being out in nature. The standard is always high and judging is always really difficult.

“The calendar raises funds for us to carry out conservation work and inspire people about nature on their doorstep across the county so thank you to all the talented photographers for making this possible.

“From watching bees on the flowers in your garden to taking a walk around parts of our beautiful county, spending time in nature can be as relaxing as it can inspiring. We should all take a little time to pause and notice what’s around us; keeping a camera to hand to capture this might make you next year’s award-winning photographer.”

The calendar costs £9.00 and is available to buy from the Trust’s online shop.

All runners-up and winning images can be seen at the Trust's Flickrstream.

Front cover of the Trust's 2027 calendar, featuring two white, almost translucent, mushrooms in the foreground and slight off-centre. They are surrounded by blue light with 'twinkles' in the background. Their shadow shows the brown colour of the tree they're growing on.

January - Greylag geese, Sailing Lake, Upton Warren by Luke Kibble

Three greylag geese are flying in formation - the geese have mainly brown bodies with the grey-ish forewings and orange feet and bills

Greylag geese by Luke Kibble

“The Sailing Lake at Upton Warren is one of my favourite places to photograph birds, especially geese. This group of greylags took flight. I tracked them quickly and shot a burst of images. I managed to capture a moment of satisfying synchronisation and was delighted with the result, a beautiful display of natural harmony.”

February – Common toad on toad crossing, Cofton Hackett by Duranka Perera

A common toad is crawling across a road - the toad is in the spotlight and you can juts make out a boot behind it

Common toad on a crossing by Duranka Perera

“This year, during their annual migration, ecologists set up a toad crossing in Cofton Hackett along a busy street. I attended patrols with local mums and their children, who took great joy in helping these charming amphibians get to safety and back to the breeding ponds where they themselves hatched.”

March – Orange-tip, Hanley Broadheath by Gillian Smith

An orange-tip butterfly is perched on a stem of stitchwort. The butterflies wings re mottled white and green.

Orange-tip by Gillian Smith

“As I was walking through a local wood, a small white flicker caught my eye. Taking a closer look it was an orange-tip butterfly roosting on a greater stitchwort. I took several photos from all angles then left it as I found it, still clinging to the stem.”

April – Badger, Worcester by Ross Lawford

A badger is snuffling at the ground in a woodland. In the foreground, obscuring one of the badger's ears, is a dandelion clock. The badger has a grey body and black and white striped face.

Badger by Ross Lawford

“After spending many years trying to get myself into a position where the badgers are comfortable with my presence, it finally fell into place with this particular cub. It’s a treasured moment, being in a beautiful Worcester wood with one of Britain’s most enigmatic creatures and being accepted into the natural surroundings.”

May – Cockchafer, Kinnersley by Claire Lloyd

A cockchafer is eating a yellow buttercup flower. Only the head and thorax of the beetle is visible - the head and antennae are orangey-red and the thorax is a dark chestnut. A furry underside can be glimpsed.

Cockchafer by Claire Lloyd

“Whilst gardening, with the camera handy as always, I was surprised by this huge bug whizzing passed me. Luckily it landed nearby and I was able to get a few shots and later identify it as a cockchafer beetle. It was fascinating to watch it munching on the buttercups.”

June – Poppies, Wolverley by Anil Patel

A field full of red poppies at sunset - there are two or three poppies in the foreground that are backlit by the setting sun

Poppies by Anil Patel

“I was fortunate to witness low evening light emerging on these poppies. I found this little spot was best taken from a low angle perspective. It was the ideal location to appreciate the warmth of sunset light and its beautiful glow radiating onto the other poppies in the background.” 

July – Kingfisher, Pershore by Mark Everett

A kingfisher is sitting on a twig with its head slightly bent downwards. The bird has a long black bill with a red underside, its breast, under tail and part of its cheek is orange and its head and wings are a turquoise blue

Kingfisher by Mark Everett

“This gorgeous juvenile female became the main kingfisher on the stretch of the Avon in Pershore that I visit and, I'm glad to say, a regular visitor to this perch, so I was able to photograph her many times throughout the year.”

August – Hummingbird hawk-moth, Worcester by David Smith

A hummingbird hawk-moth is hovering at a purple verbena flower as it feeds; the orange underwings are lit by sunlight

Hummingbird hawk-moth by David Smith

“My neighbour alerted me to the hummingbird hawk-moth having spotted it in his garden. The next day having tea in our garden my wife spotted it. My camera is always ready and very soon I was taking my first ever hummingbird hawk-moth photo. What a beautiful creature and it returned three days running.”

September – Mute swan, Grimley by Pat Pitt

A mute swan's head is tucked into its wings - some of the orange bill is underneath the white wings and it looks as though the swan is looking straight at the camera

Mute swan by Pat Pitt

“I saw this mute swan at Grimley nature reserve, quietly resting beside the water. I loved his relaxed pose and zoomed in close to show the contrast between his face and his sunlit brilliant white plumage but without disturbing his peace. So beautiful."

October – Wyche Cutting view, Malvern Hills by Richard Harding

A misty scene with trees poking out from the mist on a cold autumn/winter morning

View from Wyche Cutting by Richard Harding

 

"Whilst looking over the fog-filled Severn Valley from the Wyche Cutting one December morning, the scene was constantly changing as the rising sun burnt off the fog. At one point, this small group of trees appeared to be isolated from its neighbours but, all too soon, the fog lifted and the magical view disappeared."

November – Fungi, Droitwich Community Woods nature reserve by Nick Southam

Two white mushrooms are in the foreground slightly off-centre. They are surrounded by blue light but their shadow highlights the brown colour of the tree they're growing from

Fungi by Nick Southam

“I discovered these delicate fungi growing on a fallen branch in Droitwich Community Woods on a cold, crisp December morning. Their translucent caps appeared to glow against the woodland backdrop, creating an almost magical scene. Photographs like this remind me that nature’s most captivating subjects are often the smallest and most easily overlooked.”

December – Red fox, Croome D’Abitot by Paul Lloyd, Kinnersley

A red fox is standing in the distance, face-on to the camera and looking at the camera. The fox is on a woodland path in winter with a light dusting of snow on the ground and surrounding trees.

Red fox by Paul Lloyd

“The Kinnersley to Croome walk is something I do regularly, every time is so different. This particular early morning there was a hard frost, which made the lighting beautiful, all that was needed now was a subject. A fox appeared on the track in front of me, paused briefly, just enough time to take a few snaps.”

2027 calendar: winners