{"id":220,"date":"2022-02-09T02:10:10","date_gmt":"2022-02-09T01:10:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.discoverwildlife.com\/?p=52580"},"modified":"2022-02-09T02:36:11","modified_gmt":"2022-02-09T01:36:11","slug":"wintry-lake-image-wins-wildlife-photographer-of-the-year-peoples-choice-award-2021","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/rss_feed\/wintry-lake-image-wins-wildlife-photographer-of-the-year-peoples-choice-award-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"Wintry lake image wins Wildlife Photographer of the Year People\u2019s Choice Award 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>

By Megan Shersby\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Wednesday, 09 February 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

With over 31,800 votes from members of the public around the world, this ethereal image of a willow trees reflected in a frozen lake has been announced as the winning image for this year\u2019s category winner for the People\u2019s Choice Award of the renowned Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.<\/p>\n

The image, titled \u201cLake of ice\u201d, was submitted by Italian photographer Cristiano Vendramin in dedication to a lost friend who loved the Santa Croce Lake in northern Italy.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n

\u201cI hope that my photography will encourage people to understand that the beauty of nature can be found everywhere around us, and we can be pleasantly surprised by the many landscapes so close to home,\u201d says Vendramin. \u201cI believe having a daily relationship with nature is increasingly more necessary to have a serene and healthy life. Nature photography is therefore important to remind us of this bond, which we must preserve, and in whose memory, we can take refuge.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The winning image was one of 25 images that were shortlisted by the judges for the People\u2019s Choice Award (view the full gallery of the 25 images<\/a>), and in addition to Vendramin\u2019s wintry image, four more photos were awarded \u2018Highly Commended\u2019 following the public vote (see below<\/em>). All five images will be displayed in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition<\/a> at the Natural History Museum, London (NHM), which runs until Sunday 5 June 2022.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n

\u201cCristiano\u2019s poignant image symbolises the positive impact nature can have on our wellbeing and lives,\u201d says Dr Douglas Gurr, director of the NHM. \u201cIt can provide solace and a space to reflect on the past and even spark hope for the future. These past two years have redefined what truly matters in life, the people and the environments that play a crucial role in our own personal ecosystems. I hope those who look at this landscape frozen in time, are reminded of the importance of connecting to the natural world and the steps we must all take to protect it.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition has been running since 1965, when it was first launched by BBC Wildlife<\/em> (then called Animals<\/em>). The NHM joined forces in 1984 to create the competition as it is known today, and now solely runs and owns it. It has grown to attract over 50,000 images submitted to the 2021 competition. The fifty-eighth Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition closed for entries on Thursday 9 December 2021, and the winning images will be revealed in October.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Learn more about Wildlife Photographer of the Year:<\/h4>\n