Spectacular images, on loan from the Natural History Museum in London are now on show at The Beacon Museum, Whitehaven.
The world-renowned exhibition - Wildlife Photographer of the Year - now in its sixtieth year is being showcased until 26 January 2025.
Cllr Anne Quilter, Cumberland Council’s Executive Member for Vibrant and Healthy Places, said:
“We’re delighted to host this fascinating exhibition at The Beacon. A big thanks to the Natural History Museum for providing us with the opportunity. It features exceptional images that capture fascinating animal behaviour, spectacular species and the breathtaking diversity of the natural world.
“Using photography's unique emotive power, the exhibition will engage and inspire visitors. The images shine a light on stories and species.”
Wildlife Photographer of the Year is the most prestigious photography event of its kind, providing a global platform that showcases some of the best photography talent from around the world for nearly 60 years. Launching in 1965, today the competition receives entries from 117 countries and territories all over the world, highlighting its enduring appeal. This year’s award-winning images will embark on an international tour that will allow them to be seen by well over a million people.
The sixty-first Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition opened for entries on 14 October and closes on 5 December 2024.
This year’s competition attracted an astounding 59,228 entries from photographers of all ages and experience levels from 117 countries and territories. During an intense week at the Natural History Museum in London, entries were judged anonymously on their creativity, originality, and technical excellence by an international panel of industry experts.
The winning images, including the prestigious Grand Title Award winners, were announced on 8 October 2024 during a glittering awards show hosted by wildlife presenters Chris Packham and Megan McCubbin.
Chair of the judging panel, Kathy Moran said:
“In this selection you see species diversity, a range of behavior and conservation issues. These images represent the evolution of the competition through the years, from pure natural history to photography that fully embraces representation of the natural world - the beauty and the challenges. It is a powerful selection with which to kickstart a milestone anniversary.”
Dr Doug Gurr, Director of the National History Museum added:
“As we celebrate sixty years of Wildlife Photographer of the Year, we also celebrate the generations of visitors who have been inspired by the beauty and majesty of its images, and the millions of connections made with nature.”