Nature’s Treasures Photo Competition Fins, Feathers, and Flowers Winners

September 17th, 2020

The third theme in the Wildlife Warriors Nature’s Treasures Photo Competition Fins, Feathers and Flowers received 161 images from 64 different photographers in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. We would like to say thank you to all the photographers who took part in the theme. The Amateur and Junior Categories continue to awe the judges’ immensely. The winning photos showcase the beauty of non – mammals, and flowers and all have a story to tell.

PROFESSIONAL CATEGORY

WINNER

Dhir Jakharia

Dhir Jakharia from Kenya wins the #WildlifeWarriors Nature’s Treasures Photo Competition Professional Category on the theme Fins, Feathers, and Flowers for a stunning image of a Black-winged Stilt reflected on the surface of the water. The photographer captioned the image as “Not only do the thirsty seek water, but the water seek the thirsty as well”.

The judges unanimously choose this photo and commend the photographer for capturing a remarkable moment with the stillness of the water and the reflection of the bird. We spoke to Dhir about his image.

What do you do for a living?

I am a Year 13 student at Oshwal Academy.

Where did you take the photo?

Amboseli National Park, Kenya

Which camera did you use?

Sony a7R III

What is the story behind the image?

We were driving past the shallow waters [swamps] in Amboseli and I noticed this bird and its beautiful reflection. I immediately asked the guide to stop the car. I have always dreamt of shooting such a clean reflection.

What advice have you been given about nature photography?

Think differently. Plan your shots, think of what you want the image to look like before taking the shot.

What top tips would you offer any upcoming young person interested in nature photography?

Appreciate nature first, then pick up a camera and focus on being unique.

What do you love most about nature photography?

I simply love being in the wild with a camera, it gives me peace of mind.

Congratulations Dhir! Follow his work on Instagram @spotclickpost!

(Dhir Jakharia donated the cash prize to WildlifeDirect. Thank you Dhir!).

RUNNER UP

Evans Toroitich

Evans Toroitich from Kenya is the Runner Up in the #WildlifeWarriors Nature’s Treasures Photo Competition Professional Category on the theme Fins, Feathers, and Flowers for a spectacular image of a Martial Eagle with prey and a butterfly in one frame. The image was captioned by the photographer as “A tiny dotted butterfly flutters past a martial eagle feasting on a chick”.

The judges applaud the photographer for capturing a beautiful moment; the behaviour of the Martial Eagle feeding and the butterfly in flight. We spoke to Evans about his image.

What is the story behind this image? I was driving out of the Nairobi National Park when I saw some movements in a tree. I stopped to look at it and found a Martial Eagle feeding on a chick. I took a few shots and it was later when I was reviewing the pictures that I noticed the butterfly. I thought the two looked spectacular together.

Congratulations Evans who wins Ksh 3000. This is Evans’ second win. Follow his work on Instagram @evanswildpics.

–

–

AMATEUR CATEGORY

WINNER

Ely Musyoki

Ely Musyoki from Kenya wins the #WildlifeWarriors Nature’s Treasures Photo Competition Amateur Category on the theme Fins, Feathers, and Flowers for an eye-catching and beautiful photo of a Red-Billed Firefinch holding a feather with its beak. The image was captioned by the photographer as ‘a Red-Billed Firefinch caught plucking its own feathers”.

The judges were intrigued by the sharpness of the image and the red and green balance contrasting each other. The photographer was keen to show the character and the behaviour of the bird holding the feather. We spoke to Ely about his image.

What do you do for a living?

Digital marketer and a part-time photographer.

Where did you take the photo?

Kenya, Kajiado County

Which camera did you use?

Canon 750d

What is the story behind the image?

I was shooting flowers at my mum’s small shamba when I happened to see a pretty little bird. Immediately I focused my lens on the firefinch, I crept a little bit closer and took a lot of shots. This happened to be one of them.

What do you love most about nature photography?

Nature photography is one of my favourite genres of photography simply because it draws me close to nature and brings out a satisfying feeling. I can experience the strength, vulnerability, and authenticity of it as well as learn a thing or two about nature.

What advice have you been given about nature photography?

Create a mood / an emotion with your shots. Try to keep your photos as real as possible.

Learn all the rules of photography and try to break them to create a stunning photograph.

What top tips would you offer any upcoming young person interested in nature photography?

Start small, you don’t need a big camera to do it, a phone can do too and keep shooting. Look for a mentor and use the internet to your advantage, there’s a lot of free tutorials out there. Moreover don’t give up even if your shots aren’t as good as some else, it takes time, allow yourself time to grow.

Congratulations Ely who wins Ksh 3500. Follow his work on Instagram @elymusyoki.

RUNNER UP

Pranav Karwande

Pranav Karwande from Kenya is the Runner Up in the #WildlifeWarriors Nature’s Treasures Photo Competition Amateur Category on the theme Fins, Feathers, and Flowers for a striking image of a Beautiful Sunbird. The photo was captioned by the photographer as “The name that suits perfectly”.

The judges were impressed by the sharpness and exposure of the image which displayed the colours of the sunbird beautifully. We spoke to Pranav about his image.

What do you do for a living?

I have my own business of organic fertilizers.

Which camera did you use?

Canon 80D

What is the story behind the image?

I was trying to get this Beautiful Sunbird photograph (even the name gives justice to it) for a very long time and I wanted it to be perfect showing all its colours. Finally, one day I was having coffee in my living room, and he perched on a hibiscus tree right in front of my balcony. I rushed to get my camera, hid behind the wall, and got those beautiful colours in all its glory.

What do you like about nature photography?

I love every aspect of it! The fact that you get to be in nature teaches you so many things if you observe closely. The uncertainty of nature, the surprises it gives when you expect the least. You just got to observe and enjoy all the things going around you.

What’s the best advice you have been given on wildlife photography?

I got the best advice from nature itself that in nature you don’t have any control on what’s happening, but you have a camera in your hands and you can try to capture the best out of it

What would you advise a young and upcoming wildlife photographer?

I’d love to tell all the upcoming young photographers to have lots of patience. In nature, sometimes you wait for days and months and yet you don’t get what you want to capture. Sometimes it just happens when you don’t expect it. So just keep pursuing your love for nature photography and enjoy every bit of being in nature.

Congratulations Pranav Karwande! You can see more of his beautiful photos on Instagram @pranav.karwande. He wins Ksh 2000.

JUNIOR CATEGORY (15 YEARS AND BELOW)

WINNER

Kyla Mwangi

Kyla Mwangi from Kenya wins the #WildlifeWarriors Nature’s Treasures Photo Competition Junior Category on the theme Fins, Feathers and Flowers for a beautiful image of an African Daisy (Osteospermum, Soprano Purple) captioned by the photographer as “Truly daisies look prettiest on a rainy day”!

The judges were captivated by the beautiful and impressive image which was perfectly in line with the theme. We spoke to Kyla about her image.

How old are you?

14 years

Which camera did you use?

Canon 250D

What is the story behind the image?

I love taking pictures of droplets of water because I find them very beautiful and fascinating. They represent purity and life to the flower. The morning I took the picture I found droplets on various types of flowers but this one caught my eye.

What do you love most about nature photography?

Nature is a beautiful aspect in itself and catching to the eye. That is why I love taking nature photographs. Pictures of nature remind me of how beautifully and wonderfully God created the world and the fact that we should work to preserve it as it is.

What advice have you been given about nature photography? Always have your camera ready because you never know when you will come across a good shot!

What top tips would you offer an upcoming young person interested in nature photography?

One thing I would recommend is to use what you have and be creative because you cannot get everything you need. For example, in my case, I used an old canon camera that belonged to my dad, who is my inspiration and a photographer, and made a DIY diffuser. I also recommend taking your time to practice and not rushing it until you get it right.

One last thing is to read about the type of photography you would like to do.

Congratulations Kyla who wins Ksh 2000.

RUNNER UP

Hanain Ayub

Hanain Ayub (15 years) from Kenya is the Runner Up in the Wildlife Warriors Nature’s Treasures Photo Competition Junior Category for a captivating image of a Pied Crow taken in Narok, Kenya captioned by the photographer as ‘Are you dead yet’.

The judges were impressed by the composition of the image and how the photographer must have been lying on the ground to capture the moment. We spoke to Hanain about his image.

What is the story behind this image? I was in Narok near a pond lying on the ground, waiting for ducks so that I could take a picture. Some three crows saw me and probably assumed I was dead and came to inspect me. One curious crow came closer to see what I was doing and that is when I took the picture before the crow flew away.

Congratulations Hanain! This is his second win! You can see more of his beautiful photos on Instagram @hanain_. He wins Ksh 1000.

–

–

–

–

A big thank you to our partners African People & Wildlife from Tanzania who is supporting the Amateur Category – Winner, OGO – LAW who is supporting the Amateur Category – Runner Up, Diana Kisinga who will be supporting the Junior Category – Winner, TonyWild who is supporting the Junior Category – Runner Up, Conservation Through Public Health, Gorilla Conservation Coffee, and Wildlife Clubs of Kenya.