Trashy Lobster Wins Second-Best

The winners of the annual Scottish Nature Photography Awards have been announced, and while they’re all beautifully stunning, let us take a moment to appreciate the runners-up.

In the Environmental Category, the image that fell just short at second place is an engaging action shot of crustacean with a bit of trash: “Long-clawed Squat Lobster & Can in Loch Fyne,” taken by Elaine Whiteford, who specializes in underwater photography.

The Natural Abstract silver medal goes to Stephen Rodger and his mesmerizing “Frogspawn.” The image is an abstract expressionist masterpiece worthy of a Lee Krasner.

Peter Bardsley’s “Common Seal Pup” might not be as majestic as the Wildlife Portrait winner (a fox on rocks), but it is delightful portraiture nevertheless. The seal pup looks to be in shock, as if it never in a million years expected to have its photo taken while grazing through underwater seaweed.

Winners in each category get additional space on the contest website to discuss their shots, but second and third place photographers may share only their names and the entry titles. That’s enough for Mick Durham’s “Four-spotted Chaser Newly Emerged” in the Wildlife Behaviour Category, because the dragonfly extending tender care to its baby is worth the proverbial thousand words.

Visit scottishnaturephotographyawards.com to see more categories and all the winners, including third-place finishers. They’re pretty good too.