THE overall winning photograph from a prestigious Essex-based competition was a sight fur sore eyes among judges.

Photographers from across the county sent their favourite snaps to the Essex Wildlife Trust photography competition last year and the winners have now been announced.

From tranquil landscapes to vivid action shots, the Trust's 2020 competition showcased just how connected everyone remained with wildlife and nature, even amidst national lockdowns.

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Close up - Andrew Neal won the Pattern and Texture category for his dragonfly shot at Abberton Reservoir

The image which not only impressed the judges but won the public vote this month, was the entrancing shot of a red fox appearing from the dark shrubbery submitted to the ‘Gardener’s World’ category by Julie Levere.

Julie Levere, the overall winner of the photography competition, said: “I’m astounded to have been crowned the overall winner of the Essex Wildlife Trust Photography Competition, as I was up against some truly talented photographers in all categories. We have some beautiful wildlife in our country and now is the best time to embrace it.”

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Strike -  Brody Bell won the Young Blood category for this Walton lighting strike

Other winning photographs included Brody Bell's striking picture of a lighting bolt in Walton, Jason Fox's image of a crane flying over Abberton Reservoir and Andrew Neal's zoomed in photograph of a dragonfly at the reservoir.

Each year the charity’s photography competition continues to break records; with more than 800 images submitted, 300 participants and 1,800 public votes cast to secure the overall winner this year.

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Fly - Jason Fox captured an image of a crane in Abberton 

Julie added: “I took this image in my garden in Westcliff-on-Sea.

"This beautiful vixen, with her captivating eyes frequents my Essex garden most evenings, she even brought one of her cubs along with her during spring, it’s an amazing sight to witness and it’s just outside my back door.”

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Hiding - Peter Warne caught sight of a hare in Epping

Lily Chambers, communication assistant at Essex Wildlife Trust, said: “It’s great to see an image from our ‘Gardener’s World’ category take the crown this year as for many of us, the green spaces closer to home were where we sought solace and spent the majority of our time. It goes to show you can still see lots of wonderful wildlife closer to home as well as demonstrating the importance of keeping our urban areas wild.

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Fuzzy - a blue tit photographed by Claire Norman

"A huge thank you to our competition sponsor, ACL Essex, for their continued support with our annual photography competition.”

The Essex Wildlife Trust Photography Competition 2021 opens in September.