A striking photograph of a common frog reflected in a golden pool has leapt to victory in the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) 2025 Photography Competition.
Captured by Peter Smith at Letcombe Valley Nature Reserve, the winning image topped more than 250 entries submitted across eight categories. The competition, launched in May, invited photographers of all ages to capture the beauty of nature across BBOWT’s reserves or within their communities.
Peter said: “I knew that common frogs congregate every year to breed in a small pond at Letcombe, but no one knows exactly when they will do so, only that it is usually in February.
“So I kept an eye on local nature reports and visited several times until I finally got the right day. I managed to capture this individual in the late afternoon sun with reflections from the background foliage making the water appear golden.”
As overall winner, Peter received a smart bird-feeder camera, bird-feeding goodies from Vine House Farm, and a wildlife photography masterclass with Steve Gozdz of GG Wildlife Experiences. His photograph will also feature in BBOWT’s 2026 calendar.
The newly introduced ‘People’s Choice Award’ drew nearly two thousand public votes. Thomas Roberts won with his intimate image of great crested grebe chicks riding on their parent’s back, earning a pair of Tasco Essentials binoculars.
“This was a really special moment for me,” said Thomas. “Capturing the image, I had to lay down on the ground and wait patiently. My patience finally paid off when the great crested grebe family swam past me, allowing a window into their world.”
Judges Ben Vanheems, Beth Milner, Jo Brown, and Steve Gozdz praised the quality and creativity of submissions. “What I look for in a photo is something with a story to tell,” said Vanheems. “The quality this time has stepped up even further and it becomes even more difficult to judge.”
Jo Brown added: “I’m looking for a real spark of personality. It’s been wonderful to see such a massive range of incredible photos.”
Category winners included:
- Mammals and other animals (and overall winner): Peter Smith (common frog)
- Birds: Tom Eastwood (great crested grebes)
- Butterflies and other insects: Paul Jaskulski (‘Aurelia’ bee covered in pollen)
- Children and teenagers: Ben Gray (ladybird)
- Flowers and fungi: John Cawkwell (dancing dogwood flower buds)
- Landscapes and people: Paul Jaskulski (‘Autumn Drops’)
- Mobile phone photography: Craig Allen (Thatcham Reedbeds Nature Reserve)
- Nature on your doorstep: Grace Miller (drying duckling)
- People’s Choice Award: Thomas Roberts (great crested grebe family)
The Trust expressed gratitude to GG Wildlife Experiences for sponsoring this year’s competition.
