Bird photo wins top picture in RSPCA award

Will Jenkins, a 13-year-old photographer from Highbury, north London, has won the RSPCA's prestigious Young Photographer of the Year award with Beak, a close-up shot of a Brown Pelican. The stunning image beat off stiff competition from thousands of entries.

The panel of judges — made up of wildlife photographers and industry experts led by Chris Packham — said they picked the star photo because of the detail and skill that was shown in the image and because the focus was on the bird's beak, its most iconic feature.

Beak (Will Jenkins).

Will commented: "I am really shocked to win this award. It is a lovely feeling and I am really proud of my picture. I wasn't expecting to win as all the photos are great. I am really, really pleased.

"My picture is a close-up of a pelican hanging out on a wooden pier in Belize, showing his brightly coloured beak tip and feathers. It took me half an hour to stalk this pelican and build up his trust so I could get close enough to see the detail."

Judge Chris Packham said: "Beak is an incredible picture and we were all so impressed. As soon as we saw it we knew we had seen something special.

"This year's entrants were really at an exceptional standard — we had some very tough decisions to make. The skills that are showcased every year never fail to impress me. The inventiveness and creativeness that is demonstrated by such young people is fantastic. I hope they all carry on taking photographs long into the future so we can all enjoy more of their work."

Winners

Under 12s: Sleeping Beauty by Katy Read, 11, of Newcastle.
12–15: Beak by Will Jenkins, 13, of north London.
15–18: Ant in Silhouette by Mairi Eyres, 17, of Powys, Wales.
Pet Personalities: Wild At Heart by Isabelle Vesey, 15, from Christchurch, Dorset.
Farm Animals: Highland Cows by Samuel Hood, 18, from Newcastle.
Portfolio: Framed by Mairi Eyres, 17, of Powys, Wales.

Sleeping Beauty (Katy Read).