A photo of a raccoon climbing out of a trash can with a hot dog wins B.C. SPCA award
The number of submissions to the annual B.C. SPCA photo contest doubled in 2021, partly because of COVID-19, organizers say.
Almost 2,100 photos were submitted in the 13th annual Wildlife-in-Focus photography contest, which is double the number received during any other year. Organizers told CTV News that it’s partly because people stayed close to home this year.
“People haven’t been able to travel much this year and last,” said Erin Ryan, B.C. SPCA research communications and photo contest organizer. “So people are taking more local trips and more local pictures.”
She says the quality of the photos that were sent in from across the province was also better this year.
The two categories decided by volunteer judges were "backyard habits" and "wild settings."
The winner of the backyard category was a raccoon climbing out of a trash bin with a hot dog in its mouth near a concession stand in Vancouver's Stanley Park.
The SPCA is using the picture, taken by Vancouver resident Christiane Cottin in May, to educate.
“We got permission from Christiane, even before the winning photo was announced, to use her image 'Trash Raccoon' to help promote a wildlife education podcast about not feeding wildlife,” said Ryan.
A photo of a female common merganser out for a morning feed in June with its ducklings on Alta Lake in Whistler was the winner of the wild settings category. It was taken by Whistler resident Steve Burgess.
The photo of a female common merganser bird out for a feed with her ducklings on Alta Lake in Whistler that won the "wild settings" category in the B.C. SPCA Wildlife-in-Focus photography contest. (Steve Burgess)
A third “people’s choice” category was used as a fundraiser, with every vote costing $1. This year, more than $34,000 was raised to help the B.C. SPCA's Wild ARC rehabilitation centre care for injured and orphaned local wildlife.
Voters chose a picture of a pair of coyotes by Vancouver resident Colin Beadle as their favourite.
“The money is invaluable to promote the work we do,” added Ryan. “We don’t have the budget to hire photographers.”
The photo of two coyotes which won the "people's choice" award in the B.C. SPCA Wildlife-in-Focus Photography contest (Colin Beadle)
The 2021 winning photos, chosen by the judges, as well as the 25 most popular images chosen by the voters, will be featured in a photo book that will be sold by the B.C. SPCA. All the winning images, taken by amateur photographers across the province, can be found on the society's website.
The 2022 contest opens in July.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
B.C. man used Bobcat as 'weapon' while chasing away homeless people, judge says
A B.C. man has been convicted of assault with a weapon after using a skid-steer Bobcat to chase two homeless people from his lawn, injuring one of them in the process.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.
'Nobody should be getting away with murder': Grieving mother speaks out after son killed in North Preston, N.S.
A grieving mother is speaking out after her 36-year-old son was shot and killed in North Preston, N.S., Wednesday night.
Toronto-area dessert shop featured by Keith Lee forced to move after zoning complaint
A small Ajax dessert shop that recently received a glowing review from celebrity food critic Keith Lee is being forced to move after a zoning complaint was made following the social media influencer’s visit last month.