Bangor graduate wins British Wildlife Photography Award

A former Applied Marine Biology student at Bangor University has won a prestigious wildlife photography award. Shetland based Richard Shucksmith claimed the top prize at the 2011 British Wildlife Photography Awards for his stunning ethereal photograph of a jellyfish. The image, which was taken off the coast of Sula Sgeir, an uninhabited island in the Outer Hebrides, won high praise from the competition judges.

Greg Armfield, Photography and Film Manager from WWF said “A truly beautiful shot of a jellyfish that perfectly captures its iridescent colours and magical qualities. All the more remarkable that it exists in UK waters. Fantastic.”

Competition judge Paul Wilkinson, Head of Living Landscape for The Wildlife Trusts, said “We are delighted to see how many people from around the UK were inspired by the competition to explore nature in their local area.  This year’s entries reflected a real passion, and affection, for local wildlife. This competition is a special opportunity to give the natural world that surrounds us the recognition, and reverence, it deserves.”

View Richard’s winning image, ‘Jellyfish in the Blue Sea of Sula Sgeir’ here:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/15061273

Publication date: 3 October 2011