We showcase the winners of the ninth Kent Wildlife Trust Wildlife Photography Competition 2016. Words by: Ray Lewis

%image(15757280, type="article-full", alt="Fauna category: 1st place: Ian Hufton from Canterbury, Peregrine falcon hunting over White Cliffs of Dover "A dynamic and attention-grabbing pose from the bird, the subject is sharp and the exposure is good; excellent timing by the author"")

Another great selection of photographs capturing the wild beauty of Kent was submitted for the ninth annual Kent Wildlife Trust competition. These 12 worthy winning images were selected by freelance photographer and tutor, Phil Hurst of Borough Green, formerly of the Natural History Museum Photographic Unit. Phil, whose comments can be found next to each picture, said: “Once again the bar has been raised, making for a challenging, yet most enjoyable, judging process.

“I was particularly impressed with the high standard of junior entries. Well done to all those talented amateur photographers who contributed – and keep up the good work!”

The winners all received trophies and prizes at an awards presentation evening in November held at the Trust’s headquarters at Tyland Barn, Maidstone.

%image(15757281, type="article-full", alt="2nd Place: Philip Petrou from Forest Hill, Inquisitive water vole, East Malling. "A nice composition, especially with the mirror image of this charming water vole"")

Fauna Category

• 1st Place: Ian Hufton from Canterbury

Peregrine falcon hunting over white cliffs of Dover

“A dynamic and attention grabbing pose from the bird, the subject is sharp and the exposure is good - excellent timing by the author”.

%image(15757282, type="article-full", alt="2rd Place: Jason Steel from Bexley: Grass snake, Riverside Country Park. "We don't see enough images of herpetofauna; I like the curves leading you to the head"")

• 2nd Place: Philip Petrou from Forest Hill

Inquisitive water vole, East Malling

“A nice composition, especially with the mirror image of this charming water vole”.

%image(15757283, type="article-full", alt="Flora Category: 1st Place: Jose Perefan from Harrietsham. Oxeye daisy "The different viewpoint of this daisy with the landscape and the cottonwool clouds makes for a very pleasing image; photographing flowers is never easy"")

• 3rd Place: Jason Steel from Bexley

Grass snake, Riverside Country Park

“We don’t see enough images of herpetofauna; I like the curves leading you to the head”.

%image(15757284, type="article-full", alt="2nd Place: Ruth Winter from Kemsing, Barley field, Horton Kirby. "Again, a different view, utilising the patterns within the barley"")

Flora Category

• 1st Place: Jose Perefan from Harrietsham

Oxeye daisy

“The different viewpoint of this daisy with the landscape and the cotton wool clouds makes for a very pleasing image; photographing flowers is never easy”.

%image(15757285, type="article-full", alt="3rd Place: Oliver Mannion from Canterbury, Rape seed, High Halden. "A classic view of a rape seed field with a majestic tree well placed in the frame"")

• 2nd Place: Ruth Winter from Kemsing

Barley field, Horton Kirby

“Again, a different view, utilising the patterns within the barley”.

%image(15757286, type="article-full", alt="1st Place: Ian Bourne from Gillingham, Harty Ferry (looking towards Grain). "The ethereal quality created by the mist and the pastel colours with the boat standing out and in the right place in the frame, all make for an image that has real impact"")

• 3rd Place: Oliver Mannion from Canterbury

Rape seed, High Halden

“A classic view of a rape seed field with a majestic tree well placed in the frame”.

%image(15757287, type="article-full", alt="2nd Place: Jose Perefan from Harrietsham, Blood red sky. "In stark contrast to the winner, the vibrant colours in the sky immediately grab your eye"")

Landscape, Coastline & People Category

• 1st Place: Ian Bourne from Gillingham

Harty Ferry (looking towards Grain)

“The ethereal quality created by the mist and the pastel colours with the boat standing out and in the right place in the frame, all make for an image that has real impact”.

%image(15757288, type="article-full", alt="3rd Place: Raymond Bridges from Tenterden, Fairfield, Romney Marsh. "Again, the quality created by the mist with the river leading the eye through equals a pleasant image to view"")

• 2nd Place: Jose Perefan from Harrietsham

Blood red sky

“In stark contrast to the winner, the vibrant colours in the sky immediately grab your eye”.

%image(15757289, type="article-full", alt="1st Place: Rabiah Singh from Canterbury, Fisherman on Reculver Beach. "A well-seen and executed image: the silhouetted fisherman and ruins make for a very atmospheric image and well done for getting a good exposure in difficult conditions"")

• 3rd Place: Raymond Bridges from Tenterden

Fairfield, Romney Marsh

“Again, the quality created by the mist with the river leading the eye through equals a pleasant image to view”.

%image(15757290, type="article-full", alt="2nd Place: James Brimson from Bexley, Ducklings at Hall Place Gardens, Bexley. "We always need the cute factor; an endearing image of these ducklings among the daisies certainly delivers on that"")

Junior Category (17 and under)

• 1st Place: Rabiah Singh from Canterbury

Fisherman on Reculver Beach

“A well-seen and executed image: the silhouetted fisherman and ruins make for a very atmospheric image and well done for getting a good exposure in difficult conditions”.

%image(15757291, type="article-full", alt="3rd Place: Sophia Mullender from Chatham, 'Green dragon' at Walderslade Woods. "A different view of this southern hawker dragonfly, which certainly focuses your attention on the head..."")

• 2nd Place: James Brimson from Bexley

Ducklings at Hall Place Gardens, Bexley

“We always need the cute factor; an endearing image of these ducklings amongst the daisies certainly delivers on that”.

• 3rd Place: Sophia Mullender from Chatham

‘Green dragon’ at Walderslade Woods

“A different view of this southern hawker dragonfly, which certainly focuses your attention on the head...”

Find out more

Details and an entry form for the 2017 competition will be available in March at www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk or by emailing info@kentwildlife.org.uk