Canadian Geographic Wildlife Photography Of The Year Contest
The Royal Canadian Mint is pleased to announce that it is partnering with Canadian Geographic to invite Canadians to participate in the fourth annual Canadian Wildlife Photography of the Year contest. Canada’s best wildlife photograph to be selected among thousands of entries from across the country will be featured on a superbly-crafted collector coin, to be issued by the Mint in 2012.
Until September 2, 2011, Canadians can submit a maximum of ten photographs of Canadian wildlife in any of the five contest categories: Amphibians, Reptiles and Insects; Birds; Mammals; People and Pets; and Junior Photographer (ages 15 and under). In addition to featuring the grand prize winner’s entry on a collector coin, the Mint will also award prizes to the contest’s five category winners, 10 runner-ups and 15 honourable mentions.
“The Royal Canadian Mint is always proud to showcase wildlife through the work of talented Canadians on coins whose designs and craftsmanship captivate collectors, in Canada and around the world,” said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. “We are thrilled to collaborate with Canadian Geographic in a unique contest which brings together thousands of photographers from across Canada to celebrate the wealth and variety of our wildlife heritage.”
“Photography is one of the cornerstones of Canadian Geographic and we are thoroughly delighted to partner with the Royal Canadian Mint on the 4th annual Canadian Wildlife Photography of the Year contest,” said André Préfontaine, President and Publisher of Canadian Geographic. “Our partnership with the Royal Canadian Mint enriches the contest and featuring the grand prize winning photograph on a collector coin offers an unparalleled opportunity for Canadian photographers.”
The grand prize winner and five category winners will see their entries published in the December 2011 issue of Canadian Geographic. Additionally, the amazing work of the category winners will be showcased in a wildlife photography exhibit which will make its debut at Ottawa’s Canadian Museum of Nature in 2012.
**Something that should be a foregone conclusion when photographing wildlife. Do not put yourself in harm’s way to get that perfect shot. This past weekend, there were numerous highways reader boards up reminding people to not stop on the highway to view wildlife, and what did we see? People out of their cars, or standing beside their bikes on the side of the highway, taking photos of a black bear cub. Remember, people – where there is a baby bear, there is a big mama bear. You do not want to mess with mama bear. Or BC’s mama deer either, for that matter.**