Last year's trip to the US west coast was one of the best holidays we have ever had. I've shared the story of that trip in an earlier Blog post, (it can still be found here in the Blog section of my website). The Blog included some highlights from a trip with Elkhorn Slough Safari Boat Trips, along the estuary that runs into Monterey Bay at Moss Landing.
I entered my 'Sea Otter tickle fight' photo from that post into a competition ... so here's a quick update on that shot's progress through to be one of 41 finalists in final judging of the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2019 (CWPA 2019) - Hurrah!
The competition is a major global photography competition, receiving widespread media coverage, flattering the ego's of photographers lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time to capture a funny image, but far more importantly supporting wonderful conservation projects, around the world.
The competition has a close relationship with Born Free - see some details on this organisation at the bottom of this post.
CWPA produce a book of the competition, which to my delight I've been advised that will feature my 'Sea Otter tickle fight' picture in this years edition.
The overall, category and highly commended winners will be announced in November 2019 and all finalists will be invited to an awards night in January 2020. That should brighten up a dark and wet month a little!!
There is also a People's Choice Award and here dear reader, is where you can help. The CWPA website hosts a page where the 41 finalists work is displayed and a simple click, provides a vote for your favourite. I believe there is a simple email verification step too to prevent 'electoral fraud' ha ha - so one vote would be a welcome support if you felt so inclined. There a few Otter shots through to the final, so without wishing to influence your choice ;-) please make sure that you find the shot at the top of this Blog when voting!
The link to the People's Choice voting page is here:
Future Blog posts on my website will celebrate the overall, category and highly commended winners, whether my image ascends to those dizzy heights or not. This is a super competition that celebrates great photos of beautiful wildlife, all with a healthy dose of fun at its heart - long may it continue to support conservation efforts around the world.
In closing, I thought you might like to see some of the other Sea Otter shots a managed on my trip around Elkhorn Slough.
The Otters have made a brilliant comeback from the brink of extinction and now people pursue them (in a carefully controlled manner) to shoot them with cameras rather than the previous destructive alternative. They are amazing creatures that are rightly adored and celebrated as the build their presence in the natural environment.
Born Free in an international wildlife charity that works tirelessly to ensure all wild animals, whether living in captivity or in the wild, are treated with compassion and respect. Founded by Virginia McKenna OBE, the late Bill Travers MBE, and their eldest son Will Travers OBE, Born Free opposes the exploitation of wild animals in captivity and campaigns to Keep Wildlife in the Wild. Working with local communities who live alongside wildlife, Born Free conserves and protects species in their natural habitats. It also rescues vulnerable wild animals from appalling captive conditions – rehabilitating them and, whenever possible, releasing them back into the wild, or giving them lifetime care at its dedicated sanctuaries.