On World Photography Day on 19 August, hobby photographers in Hertfordshire were asked to submit their best photos of wildlife to the Trust’s annual wildlife photography competition, Wild Snaps. Over 450 photos were submitted and 30 lucky finalists were shortlisted to proceed to an online public vote.

The public’s hearts were won by Will Jobbins’ photo of a jumping spider and they crowned Will as the winner. Two runners up to the competition, Ricky Barnett and Barry Lockwood followed closely behind with images of a gull at Verulamium Lake, St Albans, and a swan and cygnet at Digswell Lake, Welwyn Garden City.

Will Jobbins, the winner of the Wild Snaps competition, said:

"I'm absolutely delighted to have won. I live within walking distance of the HMWT reserve [Uxbridge Alderglade, near to] Fray's Farm, and can often be found crawling around in the bushes with my macro lens, chasing invertebrates. I find macro photography fascinating because even the tiniest hedge can become an all-day safari through hundreds of different species, all so captivating and unique.  

"The spider is Marpissa muscosa, the fence-post jumping spider. It is actually quite rare in the UK, but the strongest populations are west of London, including the Colne Valley. I am entranced with these intelligent, endearing spiders, and spend many happy hours observing and photographing them. I am even more fond of them now they've helped me win this contest, and this adult male should share much of the credit for my image - he's an absolute stunner!"

The winning image will be featured in Wildlife Matters, the Trust’s membership magazine. The winner will also receive a £300 voucher for wildlife watching equipment and two runners up will each receive a pair of Wildlife Trust branded binoculars, all kindly donated by competition sponsors, Opticron.

Pete Gamby, Sales and Marketing Manager at Opticron, said:

“For its more than 50 years in business, Opticron has been a supporter of wildlife conservation and we were very pleased to have been invited to help with the Wild Snaps 2021 competition. The response appears to have exceeded everyone’s expectations and the quality of content submitted is superb. Well done indeed to the prize winners”.

An exhibition to display the top 30 finalist photos will be open at Dacorum Creatives Open Studio at The Marlowes shopping centre in Hemel Hempstead from Saturday 16 October to Sunday 31 October. The studio will be open on Saturdays between 10am and 5pm and Sundays between 11am and 4pm. Visit the gallery for an opportunity to see some of the best wildlife photographs of Hertfordshire.

To find the exhibition, visit www.hertswildlifetrust.org.uk/wildsnaps