A captivating photograph of an emerald damselfly resting on hare's-foot clover has been declared the winning entry in a special Nottinghamshire photography competition designed to celebrate the county's natural environment.
A Winning Shot in Local Woodland
The award-winning image was captured by eagle-eyed photographer Kevin Clarke at Intake Wood in Clipstone. His entry stood out among 230 photographs submitted for the contest, which was launched by Nottinghamshire County Council earlier this year.
The competition forms a key part of the council's development of a Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS). Kevin, who lives in Clipstone, explained his motivation behind the photo, stating that damselflies are often more overlooked than their larger dragonfly relatives but are equally striking when observed closely.
Nature Thriving Alongside Development
Kevin highlighted the significance of the image's location, noting it was taken on the edge of a large housing estate that has developed over the last decade. "A small pond was introduced where there wasn't a pond before," he said, "which gave a habitat for these creatures to thrive in."
He emphasised that the photo demonstrates how nature can flourish near residential areas and showcases that when space is provided, nature will find a way to utilise it.
Judges Impressed by Quality and Message
The judging panel, consisting of three experts, was particularly impressed with Kevin's winning photograph because it successfully captured both an insect and a plant native to Nottinghamshire. More importantly, it powerfully illustrated the core aims of the LNRS.
Catherine Mayhew, the county council’s local nature recovery strategy co-ordinator, commented on the high standard of entries. "The judges were really impressed by the range and high quality of photographs submitted, as well as the passion shown by photographers for wildlife in their local green spaces," she said.
The panel included:
- Councillor Jan Goold, the county council’s Madam Chairman
- Helen Wildman, Nottingham City Council’s Landscape Architect
- Janice Bradley, Head of Nature Recovery North at Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust
Mayhew added that the winning photo and the top ten images not only showcased photographic skill but also the diversity of habitats across the county and city, from woodlands and wetlands to urban wildlife.
Prize and Recognition for the Winner
As the winner, Kevin Clarke, a committee member with the Nottinghamshire Amphibian and Reptile Group, receives a night's stay for up to three people in a luxury pod at Holme Pierrepont Country Park.
Furthermore, his photograph will feature on the front cover of the official LNRS document, which was published on November 10. The judges also selected a further nine images as highly commended, and these have been included within the strategy document.
Mayhew concluded by thanking all participants and judges, stating that the competition successfully captured what Nottinghamshire's natural landscape has to offer.
