Cellphone Snap Supreme Award Winner for Photo Contest

13 September 2016

Cellphone Snap Supreme Award Winner for Photo Contest

A cellphone photo of a sealion explosively leaping out of the water has won the Supreme Award for the Otago Peninsula Photo Contest.

“Now you see me” by Hayley Wright is the “stand out winner” according to contest judge, renowned photographer Stephen Jaquiery.

The image captures the moment when a sealion explodes full length from the water. The photo was voted winner of the Otago Peninsula category by public vote, then selected from the five category finalists as supreme winner.

Winner Hayley says she took the photo on an old cellphone, which has now gone for a swim.

“The standard of the entries this year was wonderful” says General Manager, Otago Peninsula Trust, Robyn McDonald. “We’ve enjoyed seeing and sharing people’s images of Otago Peninsula, it’s a celebration of the beauty and charisma of our wildlife and wild places. It’s fitting that the winning photo was of an endangered sealion, this helps to raise awareness of their place on our peninsula. One of the purposes of Otago Peninsula Trust is the stimulation of public interest in and care of the beauty, history and character of the Otago Peninsula. Our annual contest encourages people to get out and explore our amazing peninsula and the wildlife capital of New Zealand”.

Winners of the five categories are:

Otago Peninsula (plus Supreme Award): “Now you see me”. Hayley Wright

Taiaroa Head. “Moonrise Taiaroa Head. Nathan Williams

Royal Albatross Observatory. “Youngest Chick of the season”. Alison Petrie

Pilots Beach “Cheeky seal”. Garth Cadzow

Glenfalloch Garden “Autumn Colour”. Garth Cadzow

The winning photos and a selection of entries will be on display at the Royal Albatross Centre for the school holidays from 24th September.

The annual Otago Peninsula Photo Contest is held each year and offers people the chance to celebrate the beauty of the Otago Peninsula’s unique wildlife, scenery and people.

The contest entries are hosted by the Royal Albatross Centre as part of Otago Peninsula Trust Enterprises. Partners include Blue Penguins Pukekura and Glenfalloch Garden. Manager of Operations Taiaroa Head, Hoani Lansbury says “Three of the contest locations are at Pukekura, which reflects the diverse opportunities provided for wildlife and scenic photography. As the iconic eco-tourism attraction on the Otago Peninsula, the Royal Albatross Centre provides the infrastructure for participants in the competition to see the contributed images on our website. We look forward to hosting an exhibition here of some of the entries during the school holidays”.

ENDS

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