Photographer David Morton wins Essence of Nature photo contest

Photographer David Morton has won the Essence of Nature Photographic Competition 2013 organized by the Society of Nature and Wildlife Photographers.

One of the photographic societies has announced the winner of its photo conquest. The Society of Nature and Wildlife Photographers has opened submissions for its Essence of Nature Photographic Competition 2013 earlier this year.

After much deliberation, the SINWP has elected photographer David Morton as the winner, thanks to his amazing photo of a pair of birds captured during their breeding season.

A photo of Red-Footed Falcons breeding has been enough for photographer David Morton to win the Essence of Nature contest. Credits: David Morton.

Photographer David Morton wins Essence of Nature Photographic Competition 2013

David Morton is a lensman based in Wellington, Somerset, UK, who has paid a visit to the Hortobagy National Park, Hungary. His shot depicts two Red-Footed Falcons during the mating season. As a result, the photo has been named “Red-Footed Falcons Mating”.

It has been picked as the winner from more than 200 other amazing images, Society’s CEO Phil Jones said. The photo has been selected because it fits the theme of the contest perfectly, Jones added.

The photographer said that his day began before dawn at the Hortobagy National Park. He was hiding to prevent interrupting the birds from their rituals while preparing for a 14-hour-shooting-day in torrid heat.

David Morton has captured the “Red-Footed Falcons Mating” using a Canon 5D Mark III with a 500mm f/4 lens. The exposure settings were 1/500th of a second shutter speed, f/7.1 aperture, and 1,250 ISO sensitivity.

For this contribution, the photographer has been awarded a 12-month “Society of Nature and Wildlife Photographers” membership.

A “Sewer Rat” is not exactly what people have in mind when they think about wildlife. However, all animals are part of nature and this great photo deserves second place. Credits: Peter Preece.

“Sewer Rat” grabs second place for Peter Preece

The second place has been given to Peter Preece of Studley, Warwickshire, UK. His photo depicts a sewer rat therefore it has been named “Sewer Rat”.

The award comes packed with a 6-month membership to the Nature and Wildlife Society.

Armindo Pereira Torres has grabbed the third spot thanks to a photo of a moth during its feeding process. Credits: Armindo Pereira Torres.

Portuguese photographer awarded third place for beautiful moth photo

Armindo Pereira Torres has been selected as the winner of the third spot. The Portugal-based photographer has captured am impressive photo of what appears to be a moth or a butterfly drinking “juice” from a flower.

He, too, has been granted 6-month access to the SINWP. The Societies are constantly holding photo contests and they are a good place to check out amazing shots. The Essence of Nature winners can be seen at the SINWP website.