Nature based photo contest on now

Amateur shutterbugs are invited to submit their best work to the South Okanagan Naturalists Club’s inaugural photography contest.

Entries must feature the beauty found within the boundaries of the Regional District of OkanaganSimilkameen.

“The club has launched the Focus on Nature photo contest to encourage photographers to capture the natural beauty that surrounds us in the region and to increase awareness of the different landscapes and many species of animals, flowers, insects, birds and water-based life that live in the area,” president Bob Handfield said in a press release.

There is $4,000 worth of prizes available in six categories: waterfowl, other birds, natural landscapes, wild animals, wild plants and invasive species. The contest runs from March 1 through July 15.

Winners will be selected by a panel of three judges: Western News photographer Mark Brett, London Drugs photo lab manager Cathy Pires and Preserved Light Photography owner Caillum Smith.

For more information, or to submit a photo, visit www.southokanagannature.com.