Commons:Wiki Loves Earth 2021 in Wales/Winners

The Winners from Wales, 2021

10 of the Best!

The following images are the 10 best images which will represent Wales in the International Competition! Thanks to all who took part! We came 7th out of 33 countries.

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Iestyn Hughes, one of the judges from Wales said, "It was a pleasure to see such an enthusiastic response to this competition from so many photographers. The top ten images edged ahead in a field of some two thousand entries, and display both excellent technical quality and empathy with their subject matter." Our second Judge, Wildlife Photographer and Author Jean Nappier, said "The standard of the images was very high especially the wildlife images of the seabirds"

With 1,888 images taken, Wales is in the 7th position (out of 33 competing countries, just in front of Sweden, Italy and Spain); the percentage of images used on Wikipedia, to date, is also one of the highest in the competition, at 17%, with 38 uploaders (photographers) competing. In the last couple of months, the 323 images from Wales, used on Wikipedia articles, have been viewed more than 1.3 million times!

Jason Evans, National Wikimedian said that "The National Library of Wales was thrilled to co-host this years Wiki Loves Earth Wales contest, along with our partners at Wikimedia UK as part of our wide and varied digital outreach programme. The level of engagement and the standard of photography was fantastic to see and the winning images are a testament to our rich and diverse natural environment."

Robin Owain, Wikimedia UK Manager (Wales) was very surprised by the quality of the images: the quality is surprisingly good and is record of the state of play of some of the protected species in Wales. Working on a global level in this way we can highlight our concerns about the effect of global warming, and celebrate the work done to preserve these species, these habitats with our partners."

The best images from Wales

1st

Brown hare (Lepus europaeus): an extremely rare sight in Wales
Photograph: User:Alun Williams333

2nd

Silver studded blue (Plebejus argus) at Mynydd Marian SSSI, Conwy
Photograph: User:Alun Williams333

3rd

Milky way from the Ogwen Valley
Photograph: User:Woyoyboy

4th

Fratercula arctica running for burrow, Skomer Island, Pembrokeshire
Photograph: User:Charles James Sharp

Highly commended

• 
  Exposed ancient sunken forest at low tide, Borth, Ceredigion
  Photograph: User:Eveengland
• 
  Guillemots (Uria aalge) on Skomer Island, Pembrokeshire
  Photograph: User:Charlesjsharp
• 
  An adder basking in Mynydd Hiraethog (Denbigh Moors) SSSI
  Photograph: User:Alun Williams333
• 
  Fratercula arctica in flight, komer Island, Pembrokeshire
  Photograph: User:Charles James Sharp
• 
  Razorbill (Alca torda) taking off in flight, Skomer Island"
  Photograph: User:Charles James Sharp
• 
  Snowdon seen from the Ffestiniog Railway, crossing Afon Glaslyn
  Photograph: User:Ellievking1