2007 Banff Mountain Photography Competition
Best Photo — Mountain Flora & Fauna
Paul Horsley: European Lynx
“On a recent visit to Scotland, I wanted to try and photograph as much “wild” wildlife as possible. I quickly found out that apart from numerous red deer, the wildlife is very shy and elusive and photographing it would entail many hours of stalking or sitting in a hide, neither of which I had time for. Then I discovered the Highland Wildlife Park, near Aviemore, which had native animals and animals that are no longer found in the U.K. Highlights of the park for me were wolves and the European lynx. Because I timed my visit in the early morning when animals would be most active, I found this lynx patrolling its enclosure. As any wild animal would, it stayed back and mostly hidden amongst the grasses and trees. Then, for whatever reason, it made a loop up close to the wire fence; I positioned myself as close as I could to the fence to throw it out of focus and waited for the lynx to come my way. Contact! Whether I am photographing in the wild or at a captive collection, getting that eye contact is most important, as it gives the viewer a focus point, a connection with the subject. ”
Originally from England, Paul Horsley has been based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, for five years. He developed a passion for wildlife at an early age, but it wasn’t until his arrival in Canada and his first visit to the Rocky Mountains that his passion for photography really blossomed. Each time he goes out, he strives to capture something unique — a new angle, alternative behaviour. In contrast to the wildlife in the U.K., Canadian wildlife is relatively easy to find and observe, but it is not necessarily easier to photograph. Paul’s work has been displayed in exhibitions and published in magazines and calendars in Canada.