9-year-old Southampton girl snaps top prize in photo competition
She won the junior category of this year’s Bird Aware Solent Photography Competition
A 9-year-old girl from Southampton has won a top prize in a photography competition, which celebrates the beauty and diversity of wildlife along the south coast.
Clara Boniface was honoured for her photo of a heron silhouetted on the river at Thorney Island.
Judges praised her composition and creative use of a wide angle lens. A keen nature lover, Clara took up photography to capture what she sees and deepen her understanding of the natural world.
The overall winner - Graham Snelgar from Hedge End - impressed with his photo of three redshanks racing across the shoreline at Meon Shore.
He describes Titchfield Haven and Meon Shore as his favourite Solent locations: “For a relatively small area, it is so diverse and maintains a wild feel, drawing in so many different species.”
Charlotte Goswell, a ranger at Bird Aware Solent and member of the judging panel, said:
“Graham’s image really stood out. He’s captured the redshanks in a moment of pure energy, and the low viewpoint gives us a glimpse into their world without disturbing them. It’s a beautiful reminder of why these protected birds need space to rest and feed along our coastline.”
A special award for the best photograph taken with a mobile phone was won by Lisa Buckingham from Cosham, for her striking photograph of cloud formations over Farlington Marshes.
The judging team felt her dramatic image really stood out - an impressive achievement on a mobile phone, which she says is ideal for capturing sweeping landscapes and the rich colours and drama of big skies.
The competition, which attracted more than 400 entries this year, aims to raise awareness of the remarkable wildlife along the Solent and to celebrate photography that respects and protects nature.