B.C.'s amateur wildlife photographers responded enthusiastically to the BC SPCA's call for photos in the 16th annual Wildlife-in-Focus photography contest.

含羞草研究社淲ith more than 500 photos submitted, choosing the top picks was a challenge for the contest judges,含羞草研究社� said Andrea Wallace, BC SPCA含羞草研究社檚 manager of wild animal welfare. 含羞草研究社淲e want to thank all the participants for sharing their amazing photos of B.C.含羞草研究社檚 diverse wildlife.

Wallace added that the contest raised $8,426 to support in caring for injured and orphaned wildlife.

Participants competed in two categories: "backyard habitats,含羞草研究社� which highlighted wildlife in residential areas, and 含羞草研究社榳ild settings,含羞草研究社� showcasing animals in their natural habitats.

Backyard Habitats 

1^st含羞草研究社�含羞草研究社� Bruce Turnbull (Penticton) - Northern flicker 

2^nd含羞草研究社�含羞草研究社� Lesley Carere (North Saanich) 含羞草研究社� Rufous hummingbird

3^rd含羞草研究社�含羞草研究社� Rosalind LeBlanc (Vancouver) 含羞草研究社� Mallard duck 

Backyard Habitats

1^st含羞草研究社�含羞草研究社� Janine Brooke (North Vancouver) 含羞草研究社� Coyote 

2^nd含羞草研究社�含羞草研究社� Ashley Giovannini (Kelowna) 含羞草研究社� Grizzly bear 

3^rd含羞草研究社�含羞草研究社� Sebastien Nadeau (Squamish) 含羞草研究社� Pygmy owl 

People含羞草研究社檚 Choice Award 

Sam Gorick (Mill Bay) 含羞草研究社� Raccoon 

Bruce Turnbull, who won first place in the backyard category expressed his feeling of joy that his photography raised money for a good cause. 

含羞草研究社淲ildlife photography is a passion of mine, as is studying the wildlife I photograph and learning about the challenges they face,含羞草研究社� said Bruce Turnbull. 含羞草研究社淪upporting organizations like the BC SPCA, who protect and help our wildlife, is very important to me.含羞草研究社�

Janine Brooke, who won first place in the wild settings category, considers herself lucky to live in beautiful B.C., where residents are close to nature and wildlife.

含羞草研究社淲e are very lucky to have so much wildlife in metro Vancouver,含羞草研究社� says Janine Brooke. 含羞草研究社淭his coyote was hunting in the marshes - it is one of my favourite subjects to photograph.含羞草研究社�

  The 12 photos that received the most votes along with the top three winners in each category will be featured in a limited-edition Wildlife-in-Focus pack of greeting cards. The top three winners in each category will also be featured on a limited-edition tote bag. 

These products will be available later this year and can be purchased through the  

Visit to view the winning photos, those that received honourable mentions and the rest of the incredible photos captured by amateur photographers across B.C.