COURIER wildlife columnist Zaneta Threlfall has been shortlisted in the British Photography Awards.
While on honeymoon in Costa Rica, she captured on camera a nectar-drinking bat and a poison dart frog; both photos are now in the running for accolades in the top competition.
The winners, including the recipient of the People’s Choice award, will be announced at a gala ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel in London on November 10.
Zaneta, 34, a former Musselburgh resident, said that she and her husband Chris spent three weeks travelling across Costa Rica – the country of ‘pura vida’, meaning pure life – in search of exotic wildlife.
Zaneta said: “It is a nice feeling to see both photographs from our trip being noticed in this competition.
“I am especially delighted to capture the poison dart frog looking through a tiny hole in the leaf.
“This species of frog is known for its stunning colouration and toxic skin, which can cause nausea and paralysis.
“I am also proud of my photograph of the bat. To take this image I had to stand in almost complete darkness waiting for the silhouette of a bat to appear.
“I then had seconds to take the photo before the bat would move on. It took a long time to get the settings right but I did it.
“This is my first big event and I am extremely proud to see my photography shortlisted. I feel as if I have finally spread my wings and taken flight!
“Since a very young age, I was always passionate about photography but only started wildlife photography after moving to Scotland eight years ago.
“Everything started after visiting the Isle of Mull, where I saw my first white-tailed eagle and promised myself that, on my next trip to the island, I would take a decent photograph of the eagle.
“I kept the promise and have never separated from a camera since.
“I then brought my photography to East Lothian, where I started capturing the local wildlife and writing for the local paper to share my passion with the community.”
Her photograph of the nectar-drinking bat, which she called ‘Reaching Out’, has been shortlisted in the Land Animal category, and the shot of the poison dart frog, commonly known as the blue jeans poison frog because of its distinctive blue legs, is in the Macro category.
Zaneta has already enjoyed great success in her home country of Poland.
She said: “This year has been great for my photography.
“Back in May, I won the Polish Photographer of the Year for a local branch from my home city Łódz.
“The population of Łódz Voivodeship, also called Łódz Province, is about 2.5 million so it was something to win the Polish local contest.
“I came first and second in the Bird category and second and third in the Mammals category.”
She was also shortlisted in the Scottish Nature Photography Awards, with her photos of a kestrel, heron and owls, and in the British Wildlife Photographer of the Year with her ‘Autumnal Kingfisher’.
Zaneta said that almost all these photos were taken in East Lothian.
The public vote for the People’s Choice award is now open.
To vote for Zaneta’s nectar-drinking bat in the Land Animal category, go to shorturl.at/jrIST
Voting for her poison dart frog, ‘Through The Window’, in the Macro category is via shorturl.at/bxIK5
Or search Zan’s Lens on Facebook and Twitter to find out more about her work.
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