Vancouver Island Photographers Shine with Gold and Silver at SPCA Contest

Photographers from Vancouver Island received top honors at the recent BC SPCA Wildlife-in-Focus Photography Contest, with two local talents capturing gold and silver medals. Victoria’s James Ferguson won the gold in the “Wild Settings” category for his stunning photograph of a grizzly bear fishing in Campbell River. In the “Backyard Habitats” category, Alec Head from Sooke secured the silver medal for his detailed image of an Oak jumping spider.

This annual contest not only highlights the artistic talents of local photographers but also functions as a fundraiser for the BC SPCA’s Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre (Wild ARC) in Metchosin. This year’s event raised over $4,000 to support the care of injured, sick, and orphaned wildlife.

Ferguson captured his award-winning shot during a nature tour with Eagle Eye Adventures. Reflecting on the experience, he said, “We were very fortunate to see a young mother grizzly teaching her cub how to fish. It was just awesome because that bear had so much power and speed.” He noted that watching the bear catch fish and bring them to its cub was a particularly special moment.

Having pursued photography for approximately 20 years, Ferguson expressed excitement over this being his first competition win. He described the moment he reviewed his photos from the tour: “This particular shot of the grizzly fishing jumped out of the screen. It was just a really special experience for myself and I loved to share it with everybody.” Ferguson encourages others to explore the natural beauty of Vancouver Island, emphasizing the importance of experiencing its wildlife firsthand.

The contest featured a range of outstanding entries, with judges evaluating more than 270 submissions from across the province. Andrea Wallace, manager of wild animal welfare at the BC SPCA, remarked, “We thank all the participants for sharing their amazing photos of B.C.’s diverse wildlife and helping to raise over $4,000 for the BC SPCA’s Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre.”

The results of the competition showcased impressive talent in both categories. In “Backyard Habitats,” the winners included:
– 1st place: Anneliese Mak (Vancouver) – Say’s Phoebe
– 2nd place: Alec Head (Sooke) – Oak jumping spider
– 3rd place: Kim Lagemaat (Chilliwack) – Bobcat
– Honourable Mention: Sasha Stephanian (Vancouver) – Gosling

In the “Wild Settings” category:
– 1st place: James Ferguson (Victoria) – Grizzly bear
– 2nd place: Greg Peterson (Burnaby) – Rufous hummingbird
– 3rd place: Faolan Covert (Oliver) – Western rattlesnake
– Honourable Mention: Susan Folkins (Quesnel) – Lynx

Ferguson mentioned that while he enjoys photographing various animals, owls are his favorite subject. He also expressed a desire to travel to Africa one day to photograph big cats, which has long been on his bucket list.

Additionally, the contest featured a “People’s Choice Award,” decided by public votes made through donations. This award went to Celia Owen for her charming photo of two raccoons in the Saxe Pointe area of Esquimalt.

The success of the BC SPCA Wildlife-in-Focus Photography Contest not only celebrates the talents of local photographers but also contributes significantly to wildlife rehabilitation efforts in British Columbia.