A YOUNG wildlife photographer has been commended in a national competition.

Rory Selvey, a year eight pupil at Woodleigh School, Langton, was selected from thousands of entries by the judging panel in the RSPB Wildpix contest for his photograph Barn Owl with Prey.

The 12-year-old perfected his skills snapping barn owls and kingfishers at secret locations around East Yorkshire. Rory is also actively involved with the Driffield Photographic Society.

The competition is open to entrants aged under 18 from around the world. This year entries were split into two age groups, older and younger than 13, and Rory’s picture featured in the top ten shortlist of seven commended entries in the under 13 section, just behind the two runners-up and one winner.

The ten shortlisted images, including Rory’s, will be displayed on the RSPB website and exhibited around the country.

Headteacher Michael England said: “This is a tremendous achievement by Rory and Woodleigh School hopes that his photographic career continues to flourish.”

View the images at rspb.org.uk/youth/join_in/competitions/wildpix/index.aspx or visit Rory’s blog at http://roristyphotography.wordpress.com/

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Sharp shooting

OCCASIONALLY we get lucky, something catches our eye and it’s the day we remembered the camera. But Rory Selvey’s photos are no fluke. You don’t get to snap rare birds such as kingfishers unless you have done your homework. So when 12-year-old Rory’s submitted his stunning picture of a barn owl with prey to the RSPB Wildpix contest, the judges were so impressed that his photo has been selected in the top-ten shortlist for under-13s worldwide.

Sharp-shooter Rory says his secret is to keep practising his wildlife photography skills in little known locations. This goes to show that practice really does make perfect.

Well done Rory, you’ve even got our photographers worried.

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