ANYONE with a love of wildlife cannot help but be blown away by the images submitted for the British Wildlife Photography Awards.

They celebrate all that is remarkable about the natural world - combined with extraordinary photographic skills and an eye for beauty.

Now there is a chance to see how the winners and runners up see our native species at an exhibition at Moors Valley Country Park from Saturday(January 14) to February 26.

There are more than 100 images including grey seals, golden eagles, weasels and water voles on display taken across the whole of the country, including some stunning shots of local wildlife in Dorset, Hampshire and Wiltshire, as well as Wiltshire-based category winner Nick Upton’s sequence featuring harvest mice.

Moors Valley is the only place south of London that is hosting the exhibition this year,

With 15 categories, including two for young people, the awards showcase the very best of nature photography chosen from thousands of entries from across the country and raise awareness about biodiversity, British species and their habitats.

This year’s BWPA overall winning shot, ‘Hitchhikers’, was not taken on land but underwater off the Island of Hirta in Scotland and features what award-winning photographer George Stoyle describes as one of the largest jellyfish he’s ever encountered.

Mr Stoyle said: "I was working on a project to assess the current biological status of major sea caves around some of the UK’s most remote islands. At the end of one of the dives I was swimming back to the boat when I came face to ‘face’ with the largest jellyfish I’ve ever encountered.

"As I approached cautiously I noticed that a number of juvenile fish had taken refuge inside the stinging tentacles”

David Nussbaum, chief executive, WWF-UK added: "WWF-UK is delighted to sponsor the Coast and Marine category in the British Wildlife Photography Awards 2016, celebrating the diversity, splendour and drama of UK wildlife.

"This year’s winning image is a striking example of the natural beauty and variety of life we have within and around our shores, as well as the skill and artistry of our wildlife photographers.

"The photo exquisitely captures the voluptuous frills and folds, and kaleidoscope colours of this giant jellyfish. But it’s the jelly’s Piscean ‘stowaways’ that make this picture, a shoal of shimmering, glistening juvenile fish finding safe harbour amongst the tangle of tentacles."

Chris Packham, TV presenter and naturalist said: "The British Wildlife Photography Awards generates an incredible catalogue of splendid, exciting, imaginative and artistic images, proving beyond doubt that we have the richest palette of life to celebrate in our own backyard.

"Anyone passionate about protecting and preserving wildlife will be inspired by the British Wildlife Photography Awards, which has done more than any other award to raise the profile of British wildlife".

The British Wildlife Photography Awards exhibition opens daily in the visitor centre at Moors Valley Country Park. It is free to view.

Moors Valley communication ranger, Katie Davies said: “With so many stunning photographs on show this exhibition is proof that you don’t have to travel far from home to capture some amazing images. Moors Valley is home to so many different animal species that whatever type of photography you are interested in, the park and forest can offer some great opportunities to try out your skills. Even in winter there are plenty of species around including visiting wildfowl like shovellers and teal, early morning species such as roe deer, and the usually shy and retiring water voles.”

For more information go to moors-valley.co.uk or call the rangers on 01425 470721.

The 2017 British Wildlife Photography Awards opens for entries in early February. Details can be found at bwpawards.org

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