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
El Nino weakening doesn't mean cooler temperatures this summer, forecasters say
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
BREAKING 15-year-old boy stabbed in Ottawa on Thursday dies
A 15-year old boy who was critically injured after a stabbing in Nepean on Thursday has died of his injuries, Ottawa's English public school board said Sunday.
Dash cam catches moment suspected drunk driver hits parked car, sends it careening into North Shore flower shop
Police say it’s fortunate no one was injured or killed in a collision at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford shopping centre Saturday evening that sent one vehicle careening into a flower shop and another into a set of concrete barriers outside a Winners store.
Nylander defends Leafs' core after playoff exit, Toronto again picks up the pieces
The Maple Leafs battled back from a 3-1 series deficit against the Boston Bruins with consecutive 2-1 victories - including one that required extra time - in their first-round playoff series to push the club's Original Six rival to the limit before suffering a devastating Game 7 overtime loss.
Amid climate change warnings, Canadians lukewarm on electric vehicles
Amid scientists' warnings that nations need to transition away from fossil fuels to limit climate change, Canadians are still lukewarm on electric vehicles, according to a study conducted by Nanos Research for CTV News.
Three dead, two hospitalized, following collision in Fredericton: police
Three people have died and two have been hospitalized after a speeding car struck a tree and landed on another vehicle in Fredericton Sunday morning.
Montreal man on the hook for thousands of dollars after a feature on his Tesla caused an accident
A Montreal man is warning Tesla drivers about using the Smart Summon feature after his vehicle hit another in a parking lot.
Madonna's biggest-ever concert transforms Rio's Copacabana beach into a massive dance floor
Madonna put on a free concert on Copacabana beach Saturday night, turning Rio de Janeiro's vast stretch of sand into an enormous dance floor teeming with a multitude of her fans.
Mexican authorities say thieves killed 2 Australians and an American to steal their truck
Thieves killed two Australians and an American on a surfing trip to Mexico in order to steal their truck, particularly because they wanted the tires, authorities said Sunday.