Blogger: Rachael Murray
With our gorgeous landscapes and big skies as inspiration, it’s no wonder this region has such a burgeoning population of creative types. And we’ve found one more to swell the ranks!
Budding Bury St Edmunds-based wildlife photographer, Ben Hart, 12, has been announced the winner of the under-13’s category of UK-wide RSPB photography competition, WildPix.
Each year, we encourage young people to let their creativity run wild, as they seek out and capture images of wildlife’s wonders right across the country.
With the 2011 competition receiving more entries than ever before, Ben impressed judges with a close up photograph of a dunnock peering up through the undergrowth on the look-out for a tasty snack. Dunnocks can often be found nesting and feeding in our gardens, and Ben was lucky enough to get a snap of this beautiful bird in his back garden in Rattlesden, Bury St Edmunds.
Ben says: “My dad sparked my interest in wildlife when I was young, because he enjoys bird watching and has encouraged me over the years. I love observing birds and other animals whilst out on walks around our home and watching wildlife programs on TV.
“I'm very happy to win the competition this year because I never thought it would happen! Winning has given me the confidence and encouragement to do even more photography.”
As well as winning £100 and a day out with professional wildlife photographer, Andy Hay, Ben’s winning snap will soon be featured on the front cover of one of the RSPB’s junior membership magazines.
A large part of our work aims to encourage young people to widen their enjoyment and understanding of the natural world by swapping their Nintendos for nature and their PCs for puddles, so we’re really glad to hear that Ben is setting a great example by hiding under his bird table in cammo gear to get those winning pics!
The annual WildPix competition is just one way the RSPB inspire young people to embrace the outdoors. Why not visit www.rspb.org.uk/youth or contact Charlotte Pledger at charlotte.pledger@rspb.org.uk to find out more about events and practical activities organised for young people by the RSPB.