2008 Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibition

November 13, 2008: Winning photographs from the 2008 Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition go on display at the Australian Museum in Sydney next month.
The exhibition – which is owned by the Natural History Museum London and BBC Wildlife Magazine – will be open to the public until 8 March, 2009. The exhibition is free with general Museum entry. The display will then travel to the South Australian Museum, Newcastle Regional Library and the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery in Launceston. The popular exhibition features evocative animal portraits and spectacular wildlife images that stir the imagination, tug at the heart strings and engage the minds of visitors of all ages. Pictures have been contributed by professional and amateur photographers as well as children as young as 10 years old.

Winner of this year’s competition is Steve Winter of the USA for his picture of a leopard in a snowstorm. Catriona Parfitt of the UK won the Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year with a photograph titled “The Show”, which portrays a giraffe surrounded by antelopes. Australian photographer, Darran Leal, earned a highly commended award for “Leaf Drop”, a close-up of a drop of water glistening on the edge of a leaf. It was taken in the devastation left by Cyclone Larry in 2006 and symbolises the ability of a rainforest to re-grow, if given the chance.

Steve Winter’s winning image” Snowstorm Leopard”

Catriona Parfitt’s picture of “The Show”

Darran Leal’s “Leaf Drop”
The Australian Museum is open every day (except Christmas Day) between 9.30 am and 5.00 pm. Entry if $12 for adults, $8 concession, $6 per child. Family tickets are available. For more information, visit www.australianmuseum.net.au.