A Vancouver Island photographer takes centre stage as the overall winner in the fan-favourite Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition that offers 100 stunning new images now through spring at the Royal BC Museum in Victoria.
The exhibit has captivated people around the globe with nature and wildlife images from internationally renowned professional and amateur photographers for 60 years. Breathtaking nature photography is accompanied by immersive soundscapes, captivating videos, and expert perspectives inviting visitors to marvel at the planet’s beauty and diversity.
Among the works is The Swarm of Life by Island photographer, Shane Gross, this year’s Adult Grand Title Winner. The image, captured beneath the lily pads of a lake on Vancouver Island, shows a mass of western toad tadpoles swimming by. It was chosen as the overall winner out of a record-breaking 59,228 entries from photographers of all ages and experience levels across 117 countries and territories.
Gross, whose images have been appearing in the world-renowned competition since 2018, is a fan of the annual exhibition as well as a participating photographer.
“Every year I look forward to visiting the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition at the Royal BC Museum and to be going back this year, in its 60th year, as the Adult Grand Title Winner, with a picture taken on Vancouver Island is surreal ... to put it mildly," Gross said. “I can't wait to meet other nature lovers at the museum in such a wonderful setting, surrounded by images that inspire. I hope folks walk out the museum fired up to love and protect our stunning planet and all the wonderful biodiversity she supports.”
Wildlife Photographer of the Year was founded in 1965 by BBC Wildlife Magazine, then called Animals. The Natural History Museum joined forces in 1984 to create the competition as it is known today. The annual competition and touring exhibition are now run and owned by the Natural History Museum, London.
It runs at the Royal BC Museum now through April 27.
Visit royalbcmuseum.bc.ca for admission rates.
