2008 Gerald Durrell Award for Endangered Wildlife - Specially Commended
Steve Winter (United States of America)
Mountain prowl
'Choosing high-ridges to set up remote cameras was tough, especially with the altitude and the steep, difficult terrain of India's Himalayas. Part of this ridge was very narrow, so I set a camera where the cat had no choice but to walk directly in front of it, with the beautiful expanse of the mountains as a backdrop.' Snow leopards are scattered throughout the high mountains of central Asia, mostly between altitudes of 1,800 and 5,500 metres. Their short forelimbs and long hind limbs help them overcome the challenges of this mountain habitat. These beautiful cats are active mainly at dawn and dusk, hunting goats, sheep, yak and horses.
Canon EOS Rebel XT + 10-22mm lens at 13mm; 1/200 sec at f18; ISO 100; waterproof camera box + Plexiglass tubes for flashes; Trailmaster 1550-PS remote trigger.
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Special awards On the big-cat trail Steve Winter
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The Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition is owned by the Natural History Museum and BBC Wildlife Magazine.