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Opportunity for photographers to go wild

Wildlife photography contest open to all amateur photographers
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Bears are a common sight

Squirrels, skunks, raccoons, and coyotes are all animals that can be found in our backyards.

But people often forget that these wild animals exist close to home.

The B.C. SPCA’s fourth annual Wildlife-In-Focus photography contest is looking for submissions of urban wildlife in wild or backyard settings.

The fundraiser for the Metchosin-based Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre (ARC) encourages amateur photographers to explore local greenspaces, roadsides, beaches, and backyards to discover wildlife living in urban areas.

The contest showcases wild animals and the treasures that we have in B.C., said Kari Marks, Wild ARC manager.

“We forget what we have in our own backyards,” she said.

Sometimes people take amazing photos of urban wildlife and wish they could share it, Marks added. This provides people with an opportunity to share their photos.

Urban wildlife includes free-living birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, fish, and insects. Photos cannot include exotic, feral or domestic animals.

“We get (photos of) everything from frogs to snails,” Marks said, adding that birds are among the most common photographed animals.

The contest is open to everyone aged 14 and up. All photos must be digital and taken in B.C.

Three top entries will be chosen from both categories. First prize photos will be published in a future issue of the B.C. SPCA’s Animal Sense magazine.

Submissions will be judged on originality, technical excellence, composition, overall impact, and artistic merit.

An entry fee of $5 is required for each submitted photo. Proceeds go to support injured and orphaned animals at Wild ARC.

The deadline for photo entires is before midnight on Sept. 30.

For more information about the contest, see www.spca.bc.ca/wildlife-in-focus or email contest@wildarc.com.