BC wildlife in the spotlight in SPCA photo contest

Caught In The Act - A Douglas Squirrel getting ready for winter (Lori Clark)

A squirrel and some owls are leading the pack in this year’s BC SPCA Wildlife in Focus Photography Contest, but if you have a better shot, there’s still time to enter.

“We are constantly amazed at the mind-blowing photos we receive – it certainly makes it hard for the judges to choose the winning photos.” said BC SPCA chief scientific officer Dr. Sara Dubois in a release.

And for the first time ever this year, there is a People’s Choice Award, allowing donors to vote for their favourite photo at $1/vote.

Currently in the lead are a shot of a Douglas squirrel from Surrey photographer Lori Clark and a photograph of a pair of owls from Kelowna’s Paul Cowhig.

Hello – Great Horned Owls, mother and chick (Paul Cowhig)

Aside from the People’s Choice Award, photos will also be judged in two categories – Wild Settings and Backyard Habitats – for originality, technical excellence, composition, overall impact and artistic merit.

First prize in both categories will be publication in a future issue of AnimalSense magazine and a gift item from sponsors.

The People’s Choice Award winner, and second and third prizes in the two theme categories will receive prizes, such as gift certificates or gift items from sponsors.

All funds raised will go to the SPCA’s Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre (Wild ARC), where almost 3,000 orphaned and injured animals are cared for annually.

The contest runs until September 30. Entry is $5 per photograph. Winners will be notified by late October.

How to vote

There is no limit to how many times you can vote for an entry.
Each vote requires a $1 donation.
Go to gogophotocontest.com/bc-spca-wildlife-in-focus/search to see all entries and cast your vote for each category.

How to enter

Photographers must be at least 14 years old and live in BC.
All photographs must be taken in BC, but do not need to be taken this year.
Photos can be in colour or black and white, but must be in digital format.
Photographers can submit as many entries as they wish in both categories.
Photos of exotic pets, feral or domestic animals are not permitted, nor are photos of animals either temporarily or permanently confined.
Photos should reflect the subject matter and the scene as it appeared. Photos that have been digitally altered beyond standard optimization will be disqualified.
Entry is $5 per photograph. For more details, check gogophotocontest.com/bc-spca-wildlife-in-focus