Wildlife photographer of the year 2009 winner announced

Ukwildlifeo · #11 (**permalink**) 22-10-2009, 12:48 PM

Just bought BBc Wildlife magazine which comes with a free portfolio of the winners.

Looking at the Urban wildlife winner again (the cat with a threat display at a fox), Im not sure awarding someone who takes a cat to a wildness and letting it terrorise the local wildlife is such a great idea. Not sure its such a great photo either...

RobinP · #12 (**permalink**) 22-10-2009, 01:30 PM

Fantastic photo of the Yellowhammers, should have won imo...

The Wolf one is OK but the cat and fox is pretty average, I can get shots like that in my garden.

Oops, forgot to add, the starling flock is a nice one too. Can anyone spot the Peregrine?

Kayleigh · #13 (**permalink**) 22-10-2009, 01:56 PM

Congratulations Fergus..

WOW....
That wolf shot is Amazing I stayed at brothers house in Spain and heard howling from the hills at night..

It could well have been wolves only snag we were in Andalucia..

So it was probably wild/dogs

Stinky Bob · #14 (**permalink**) 22-10-2009, 02:27 PM

I loved the yellowhammer picture - well done Fergus

DrNickBurton · #15 (**permalink**) 22-10-2009, 04:17 PM

The two winning shots are stunning. I like the way the judges have chosen the second trap release photo two years running, basically sticking up two fingers to last year's detractors. Like it or not (I'm all in favour of it), at least they are consistent! The wolf shot is much better than last years lepoard shot, and a worthy winner I think. Much more worthy than the run-of-the-mill safari shots that seem to get "commended" merely for their exotic subject matter.

Generally though, I gotta say that apart from the two winners, I'm a bit underwhelmed. Very few of the winning shots have the wow factor that I usually associate with WPY. The macro shots are particularly weak - I have seen far better on WAB and elsewhere.

Jules001 · #16 (**permalink**) 22-10-2009, 04:36 PM

Just have to add my congratulations to Fergus, truly a stunning picture. Well done.

Jules

pressld2 · #17 (**permalink**) 22-10-2009, 06:01 PM

I've only looked at the two winners so far and had to rush over here to congratulate Fergus. An absolutely brilliant shot! Personally I prefer it to the wolf but images entered in the young competition obviously can't win the adult one. Fergus must be approaching 18 by now so it's only a matter of time...

As for the infra-red trigger debate, I recall someone pointing out last year that the competition is Wildlife Photographer of the Year and not Wildlife Photograph. Which I think throws a slightly different light on it. having said that I'm not particularly overwhelmed by the wolf but agree it's a better image than last year's snow leopard.

Off to look at the rest now...

Dave P.

DrNickBurton · #18 (**permalink**) 22-10-2009, 06:13 PM

I remember having that conversation with you last year! I agree the wolf is a much better example than the snow leopard.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pressld2

I've only looked at the two winners so far and had to rush over here to congratulate Fergus. An absolutely brilliant shot! Personally I prefer it to the wolf but images entered in the young competition obviously can't win the adult one. Fergus must be approaching 18 by now so it's only a matter of time...

As for the infra-red trigger debate, I recall someone pointing out last year that the competition is Wildlife Photographer of the Year and not Wildlife Photograph. Which I think throws a slightly different light on it. having said that I'm not particularly overwhelmed by the wolf but agree it's a better image than last year's snow leopard.

Off to look at the rest now...

Dave P.

Vectisbirder · #19 (**permalink**) 22-10-2009, 07:29 PM

Congrats Fergus, that is an amazing shot. I have just seen it on the BBC site and I have to say I agree it should have been the overall winner. I like the wolf, but Fergus's Yellowhammers were superb.