Jellyfish snap swims in to scoop first prize

Sally Kilpin’s photo ‘Water Ballet’ was chosen from thousands of entries to win the ‘Deep and Meaningful’ category of the coveted international ZSL Animal Photography prize.

A panel of esteemed judges selected Sally’s photo including wildlife television presenter Kate Humble and renowned ornithologist Bill Oddie, who also presented the awards at the VIP launch and awards ceremony at London Zoo.

The awards celebrate the world’s most incredible animal photography, and Sally’s photograph of the jellyfish – taken at Budapest Zoo – was selected for its ‘mesmerising and striking imagery’ as well as the rarity of capturing these creatures on still film.

Sally, 62, of Thorntree Drive, Tring, said: “I love to watch the movement of jellyfish.

“They are incredibly graceful and delicate creatures and their rhythmic movement is quite captivating.

“I’m really proud of this photo as they are a rarely photographed subject.

“I’ve never won anything in my life so I have been amazed and delighted, to have won a category award for the second year running, especially at such a prestigious international competition.”

A nurse all her working life, Sally only got into photography eight years ago after retiring.

Last year, Sally’s unusual photograph of a zebra won her first prize in the adult ‘weird and wonderful’ category.

Television presenter Kate Humble said: “Judging is always tough, as the standard of entrants for the last three years has been extraordinarily high.”

In addition to a respectable prize of £1,000, the winning image will also be on display amongst the other category winners in a public exhibition at ZSL London Zoo from the end of September into late 2015.

The images, which are blown up onto impressive boards, will then be on public display at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo throughout 2016.

To see more of Sally’s work, visit www. sallylouisephotography.zenfolio.com