Bexleyheath postman earns Wildlife Photographer of the Year

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.bexleytimes.co.uk/news/bexle ... _1_3068207" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A Bexleyheath postman swapped his mail sack for a camera to scoop Kent Wildlife Trust’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year award for the second time running.

Jason Steel, 42, took first and third prize in the ‘fauna’ category this year - with his image ‘Toad Crossing’ taking gold.

The competition was judged by Phil Hurst, of the Natural History Museum, who was present to oversee the award ceremony, in Upchurch, last month.

Ray Lewis, of the Kent Wildlife Trust, described Jason’s image as “stunning”. He added: “The toad in the road is such an iconinc picture because so many are killed through traffic accidents. He caught the occasion perfectly.”

Jasons’s second entry, ‘Wood Mouse at Hall Place, Bexley’ was good enough to earn bronze - with Ray describing the image as “charming”.

[Lounge Lizard]

No prizes for that toad squashed onto the road the next day.

[Erith 'Erbert]

I took this photo as part of the Kent Reptile and Amphibian Group's efforts to raise awareness and support for toad patrols in Kent. A project organised by KRAG (which I am a committee member of) to help amphibians to cross busy roads and reach their breeding sites during the breeding season in the Spring.

Rest assured that this toad was one of the lucky ones that made it safely to its destination!

Jason
http://www.jason-steel.co.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[POSTMAN]

Congrats mate and nice site,not too keen on the snake photos though no RMCers,not RM managers...although.

[Erith 'Erbert]

Thanks for taking the time to check out my website and for your kind words of praise. I'm afraid you either love snakes or you hate them, and I just love them!

Jason

[Lounge Lizard]

I took this photo as part of the Kent Reptile and Amphibian Group's efforts to raise awareness and support for toad patrols in Kent. A project organised by KRAG (which I am a committee member of) to help amphibians to cross busy roads and reach their breeding sites during the breeding season in the Spring.

Rest assured that this toad was one of the lucky ones that made it safely to its destination!

Jason
http://www.jason-steel.co.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks Jason. I can sleep better again now.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

I like the spiders - especially the one from the side and front on a kerb or piece of wood - it reminds me of an American biker for some reason.

[Erith 'Erbert]

I like the spiders - especially the one from the side and front on a kerb or piece of wood - it reminds me of an American biker for some reason.

Ha ha! I'm really not sure why it reminds you of an American biker. This Giant House Spider was actually relocated from a Royal Mail pillar-box to the shed in my back garden where the shot was taken. It was quite a fair sized spider that was living quite happily in a pillar-box for some time. Unfortunately some of the postmen / postwomen at my office were so scared of it that they were refusing to empty the box unless the spider was removed. So I volunteered to relocate it. And naturally I had to take a few shots first before releasing it. This spider went on to become a celebrity as one of it's photos was featured in the BBC Wildlife magazine earlier this year.

Jason