Winning entries in Helston Climate Action Group photo competition

Lorna Simmonds took the winning photo of fighting pheasants at Degibna, Helston and wins a hamper worth over £150 courtesy of local suppliers to the Helston Local Food Hub run by the climate action group (HCAG) for the benefit of the local community.

The runner up in the adult category is George Naish with a photograph of Loe Pool called 'Helston Lake'.

In the 15 and under category Jowan Penaluna aged 11 took a beautiful winning photograph of a bluebell at Tremayne Quay. Jowan wins tickets to visit to Paradise Park Wildlife Sanctuary in Hayle. The runner up was Liv Cooper, aged 13 with a photograph of frost on leaves.

Both runners up will receive prizes from Cornwall Wildlife Trust.

“The winning image of two pheasants fighting is an image which combines action and colour to wonderful effect,” said David Chapman, an award-winning wildlife photographer who was one of the judges for the competition.

Fighting Pheasants by Lorna Simmonds

“One of the great aspects of still photography is the opportunity it gives to the viewer to study detail in action which might have been done and dusted within a split second and this shot does exactly that. Top marks to the photographer for being ready and able to capture this brilliant image.”

Of the runner up photograph of Loe Pool by George Naish, the judges commented on “a strong sense of atmosphere and a really good use of light.”

'Helston Lake' by George Naish

David added: “In the under 15s category, the winning photographer has done well to blur the background so making the subject of the photo stand out really well. I think it’s great that the photographer has also managed to get not one but two subjects in frame and the composition of the image is well chosen with the bluebell leaning in from the bottom right of the picture therefore making use of the empty space to the left. A real nature-photographer’s picture!”

Bluebell by Jowan Penaluna

Of the runner up image of frost on leaves by Liv Cooper, aged 13, David said: “The photographer has gone in close to reveal the beauty and texture of the frost crystals. Well done for getting the camera really low to the ground to give us all a novel perspective. It is often by getting the camera into unusual positions that we can make striking images such as this.”

Frost on leaves by Liv Cooper

The competition, which launched on March 24, saw dozens of entries from individuals who had spotted wildlife and beautiful natural scenes in and around the Helston area over the last year.

Winner of the adult category Lorna Simmonds said of her action shot of two pheasants fighting at Degibna, Helston: “I think it is a little different and I felt very lucky to have witnessed it.”

You can see all the entries in a photo gallery on the website at www.helstonclimateaction.earth