Italian Amateur Wins Wildlife Photographer Award
Date: 20-Oct-05
Country: UK
Manuel Presti, an engineer who has been taking pictures in his spare time for the past 20 years, captured the image over Rome where flocks of starlings arrive at dusk to roost but have to dodge the waiting Peregrine falcons in the process.
"Sky Chase is a powerful image and, like it or not, it is one that you will never forget," said competition judge Mark Carwardine. "It is full of energy and movement and captures an absolutely perfect wildlife moment."
It was the second time Petri had entered the competition.
The annual competition, staged jointly by Britain's Natural History Museum and the British Broadcasting Corporation, is one of the most prestigious wildlife photography awards in the world attracting entries from more than 55 countries.
Running for the past 22 years, although the prize of just 2,000 pounds for the overall winner is tiny by comparison with some other international awards such as for art or literature, it carries huge kudos.
The winner of the junior section of the competition this year was 10-year-old Jesse Ritonen from Finland with a picture of a Jay perched on a snow-covered branch staring inquisitively straight into the camera.
The youngster was spurred to enter the competition after his older brother won the 10 years and under category last year.
Split into 18 categories, the winning pictures and many others go on show to the public at London's Natural History Museum from Saturday until April next year when they will embark on a world tour.