Wildlife photographers capture Cornwall creatures

Sea salps - a marine animal which uses muscle contractions to propel through the water - create an underwater spiral as they propel themselves upwards.
Sea salps, captured by David Hamilton, won the Ocean Wonders category [David Hamilton ]

A frog that appears to be giving double peace signs and jet-propelled marine salps were among creatures captured by photographers vying to win awards at a wildlife photography competition.

David Hamilton's Sea salps - a marine animal which moves through the water by contracting its muscles - scooped an award in the Ocean Wonders category of Cornwall Wildlife Trust's contest.

Photography captured by the six winners is now on display after a ceremony at Truro Cathedral.

More than 250 guests attended as judges awarded the top honours.

Against a blue background, a bar tailed godwit glides across the water's smooth surface from right to left, its tail feathers leaving a ripple of water behind it.
Mark James won the Feathered Friends category for this photo, called Bar tailed godwit [Mark James]
The head of a frog emerges from the water, its arms outstretched and pads sticking out of the water in a peace sign formation on both sides. Its reflection can be seen looking upwards out of the water.
Samuel Norris's entry - Common frog - won the Young Photographer category [Samuel Norris]

Judges had whittled down five finalists in each category to a winner in each.

The exhibition is now open at Truro Cathedral daily until 13 November, Cornwall Wildlife Trust said.

Visitors can view all 30 finalists' photographs and cast their vote in the People's Choice Award - choosing a people's winner to be announced at the end of November.

Winners on the night were:

  • Mark James for Bar tailed godwit in the Feathered Friends category

  • David Hamilton for Sea salps in the Ocean Wonders category

  • Peter Batt for Lichens on tree branch in the Terrestrial Treasures category

  • George Turner for Green tiger beetle in the Micro Marvels category

  • Charlotte O'Neill for The crisp thief in the Nature's Comedy category

  • Samuel Norris for Common frog in the Young Photographer category

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