FIVE IMAGES captured by Malvern photographers have been selected to feature in a local wildlife charity’s upcoming calendar.
The photographers’ images will be featured in Worcestershire Wildlife Trust’s 2026 calendar after coming out on top in the charity’s annual photo competition.
First up to feature in the calendar is Ric Harding, from Powick, who snapped a bumblee in Spetchley Gardens as several bees collected pollen from a group of Mexican sunflowers. His image will feature in the month of June.
He said: “It took several return visits and numerous attempts to achieve a successful photograph.”
Next up is Duncan Locke, from Kempsey, who captured a brown hairstreak butterfly in Grafton Wood nature reserve. His image will feature in July.
He said: “I regularly visit Grafton Wood in August in the hope of photographing brown hairstreaks. This one was a real star.
“It was feeding on hemp agrimony near the south end of the wood and stayed long enough for a small group of photographers to take pictures of it.”
Rebecca Jones, from Tenbury Wells, will also feature after photographing an ant on top of a toad deep in the Wyre Forest. Her image will feature in March.
She said: “I took the opportunity to photograph this unusual daytime encounter, only realising afterwards the tiny wood ant passenger.
“Expect the unexpected on a photography field day, the original plan was to photograph butterflies.”
Another local to feature is Upton upon Severn photographer, Rob Whybrow, whose image of jackdaw birds building a nest in West Malvern was also selected. His photograph will be showcased in May.
He said: “While on a dog walk up to Worcestershire Beacon, I passed one of the unusual features around West Malvern – an old sewer ventilation pipe repurposed as a weather vane.
“I noticed a pair of jackdaws had decided this was an excellent spot to build a nest. Fortunately I had my camera to capture the moment.”
And, last but not least, Tenbury Wells photographer Gill Smith whose snap of a misty Teme Valley secured a spot in the calendar for February.
She said: “I opened the bedroom curtains one morning to see the valley below our house full of mist with the weak winter sun just catching the tips of the trees, I quickly grabbed my camera & captured this image.”
The popular annual competition aims to encourage people to take a closer look at the wonders of the county’s natural world.
Wendy Carter, organiser of the competition, said: “A big thanks to everyone who entered.
“It is always a pleasure to see the natural beauty of the county captured so well and the standard of images was truly exceptional.
“Congratulations to all winners and runners-up.”
Winners receive a copy of the charity’s fundraising calendar, which features a different winning image each month along with a selection from runners-up.
The calendars cost £8. All proceeds directly benefit the Trust’s work to protect Worcestershire’s wildlife and to create habitats on our nature reserves.
Visit www.worcswildlifetrust.co.uk/shop for more information.
