Every year the BC SPCA holds their "Wildlife-In-Focus" photography contest, where shutterbugs and nature watchers submit their best shots of beautiful animals around the province.
For its ninth year, the contest drew hundreds of submissions in two categories: Backyard Habitats and Wild Settings. Judges selected three winners in each category, plus a People's Choice category let the public have their say.
"With more than 580 photos submitted, it was a challenge for the contest judges to highlight only a few of the many amazing photos celebrating B.C.’s diverse wildlife," says BC SPCA chief scientific officer Dr. Sara Dubois.
The competition raised $16,372 for wildlife in need at the BC SPCA's , which cares for more than 3,000 injured and orphaned wild animals a year.
Take a look at this year's stunning winners.
Backyard Habitats:
Mike Woods/courtesy BC SPCA
Bev Butt/courtesy BC SPCA
Dmitry Varennikov/courtesy BC SPCA
Wild Settings:
Imagerybyhip.com/courtesy BC SPCA
Colin Franks/courtesy BC SPCA
Mark D. Brett/courtesy BC SPCA
People's Choice Award
 from Vancouver
Carolyn Matt/courtesy BC SPCA
