AN amateur photographer from Northwich has been named highly commended in an international photo competition.
Maggie Bullock's shot of a kestrel beat out competitors from around the world to land one of the top spots in the Society of International Nature and Wildlife Photographers Wonderful Wildlife Photography Competition.
The photograph showed a kestrel looking down the lens as it flew off with its prey clutched tightly in its talons.
Maggie said: "I took this image last year at Parkgate on the Wirral, where there’s adjacent marshland on the edge of the Dee Estuary.
"I regularly visit this area as it’s renowned as being a great spot for birdwatchers and wildlife photographers.
"This kestrel had dived to catch prey and as it took off again I managed a few shots of it in action."
Other prize-winning pics included a sweet shot of a rare Arctic fox cub in Norway and a hippo attacking a rival's youngster.
The winner of the competition was Mark Lynham, from Newport Pagnell, who took a fantastic picture of a stag in London's Richmond Park.
Colin Jones, society director said: “This competition was very popular with images coming in from all over the globe.
"Mark’s beautiful image was chosen as the winning image as the gentle tones and colours capture the theme of the competition very well.”
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