Friday, 6 July 2012

From fighting seals to a badly hidden damselfly, the amazing images taken by 20 photographers over 20 months to celebrate British wildlife

By Daily Mail Reporter
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One looks for all the world as if he’s greeting a long-lost chum, while elsewhere another little guy jealously guards a well-foraged nut.
These captivating images, and many others, form part of a stunning selection taken over 20 months by top British photographers who took to the outdoors to tell the story of the UK’s diverse ecosystems.
The grey seals – who in reality were fighting – were spotted in the surf at Donna Nook, Lincolnshire, while the grey squirrel was pictured in Regent’s Park, London.

You want some? These grey seals - who in reality were fighting - were spotted in the surf at Donna Nook, Lincolnshire. This picture forms part of an exhibition celebrating British wildlife
You want some? These grey seals - who in reality were fighting - were spotted in the surf at Donna Nook, Lincolnshire. This picture forms part of an exhibition celebrating British wildlife

Hands off! A squirrel guards his nut in Regent's Park, London
Hands off! A squirrel guards his nut in Regent's Park, London

I never was very good at hide 'n' seek: A blue-tailed damselfly in Cornwall
Not exactly Jaws, am I? A basking shark off the Inner Hebrides, Scotland
I never was very good at hide 'n' seek: A blue-tailed damselfly in Cornwall; right, a basking shark off the Inner Hebrides, Scotland

Fancy a nibble? A water vole enjoys his greens in Kent
Fancy a nibble? A water vole enjoys his greens in Kent
Horsing around: Konik stallions from a wild herd fight in Wicken Fen, Cambridgeshire
Horsing around: Konik stallions from a wild herd fight in Wicken Fen, Cambridgeshire
Yesterday, the pictures went on display at an open-air street gallery in Edinburgh’s Royal Botanic Garden.
The exhibition is known as 2020Vision, in reference to the 20 months spent outdoors by the 20 photographers featured.
It is a collaborative project, run with the Scottish Natural Heritage and Nature Picture Library.
Flying the flag: A juvenile peregrine falcon soars in front of a Union Flag on top of the Houses of Parliament
Flying the flag: A juvenile peregrine falcon soars in front of a Union Flag on top of the Houses of Parliament

By the left quack march: A line of Mallard ducklings on a lake in Derbyshire
By the left quack march: A line of Mallard ducklings on a lake in Derbyshire

Two goldfinches squabble over common teasel seeds on Hope Farm RSPB reserve in Cambridgeshire
Two goldfinches squabble over common teasel seeds on Hope Farm RSPB reserve in Cambridgeshire

I get by with a little kelp from my fronds: A grey seal swims among kelp off the Farne Islands in Northumberland
I'll be beak: A wren sings with its tail cocked in Wales
I get by with a little kelp from my fronds: A grey seal swims among kelp off the Farne Islands in Northumberland; right, a wren sings with its tail cocked in Wales

This little piggy... A wild boar piglet in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire
This little piggy... A wild boar piglet in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire
Between now and 2015, the open-air gallery will tour the UK in an attempt to show millions of Brits the wonders on our doorsteps, which we may usually take for granted.
Professor Steve Blackmore, from the Royal Botanic Garden, said: ‘These beautiful images remind us just how important our natural heritage is in the quality of our lives.
'I hope they will cause everyone who sees them to reflect on what more they can do to cherish and protect nature.’
Making a splash: A bottlenose dolphin leaps in the evening light of Moray Firth, Inverness-shire, Scotland
Making a splash: A bottlenose dolphin leaps in the evening light of Moray Firth, Inverness-shire, Scotland

Run rabbit, run rabbit, run, run, run: A mountain hare sprints across snow in Scotland
Run rabbit, run rabbit, run, run, run: A mountain hare sprints across snow in Scotland

No neigh-bours for me: A white horse grazes in Latchmore Bottom at dawn in the New Forest, Hampshire
No neigh-bours for me: A white horse grazes in Latchmore Bottom at dawn in the New Forest, Hampshire

Flower power: A carpet of bluebells in Micheldever Woods, Hampshire
Flower power: A carpet of bluebells in Micheldever Woods, Hampshire

Suppertime: A tawny owl enjoys its dormouse dinner takeaway in Sussex
Suppertime: A tawny owl enjoys its dormouse dinner takeaway in Sussex
As well as the pictures taken by the professional photographers, the exhibition will also feature work by 20 young amateurs who have also been in the field for the past 20 months.
Katrina Martin, who is one of the ‘Young Champions’, said: ‘This is the first time so many top photographers have come together to speak on behalf of conservation.
'It has been very exciting for me to be part of that team.’
Like a bird on a wire: A barn swallow swoops down to feed a fledgling in Perthshire, Scotland
Like a bird on a wire: A barn swallow swoops down to feed a fledgling in Perthshire, Scotland

Spring time: A red squirrel jumps while holding a nut in Cairngorms National Park in Scotland
Spring time: A red squirrel jumps while holding a nut in Cairngorms National Park in Scotland


Birds of a feather... A flock of Barnacle geese take off from grazing marshes in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland
Birds of a feather... A flock of Barnacle geese take off from grazing marshes in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland

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