Stunning Images from Winners of the 2016 ROM Wildlife Photographer of the Year Contest

In celebration of the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition, the Ontario-wide ROM Wildlife Photographer of the Year contest returned for its second year – this time with both adult and youth categories!

From November 12, 2016 to January 31, 2017, the Museum invited amateur and professional photographers to share their stunning images of the natural world on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #ROMwpy or #ROMwpyJR (for ages 13 to 17). Over 2,000 photographs were submitted and viewed by our three judges:  Mark Peck, ROM Ornithologist; Brian Boyle, ROM Senior Photographer; and Vincent Luk, Co-founder of Hello Foto Inc. The submissions included an impressive range of shots from all over the world; each showcasing nature’s beauty.

Congratulations to all entrants, and a huge thanks to our contest supporters Henry’s, ROM Biodiversity and ROM Membership!

Presenting our winners of the 2016 ROM Wildlife Photographer of the Year contest:

First Place #ROMwpy Grand Prize winner, Yun Wang, Oakville Ontario. Winner of a 7-day trip for 2 to the Mingan Island Cetacean Study (MICS) on the beautiful north shore of the St Lawrence in Eastern Quebec, courtesy of ROM Biodiversity; a SONY ALPHA A7 II W/FE 28-70 mm lens, courtesy of Henry’s; and her photo on display at the ROM!

Honourable mention #ROMwpy, Peter Derrington, Toronto Ontario. Winner of a one-year ROM Family Membership.

Honourable mention #ROMwpy, Tim Chan, Scarborough Ontario. Winner of a one-year ROM Family Membership.

First Place #ROMwpyJR Grand Prize winner, Mia Ivancic, age 16, Georgetown Ontario. Winner of a ROM Birding / Photography workshop with ROM Ornithologist Mark Peck, a behind-the-scenes tour at the ROM, a one-year ROM Family Membership, a SONY ALPHA A7 II W/FE 28-70 mm lens courtesy of Henry’s, and her photo on display at the ROM!

Honourable mention #ROMwpyJR, Agatha Agius-Grace, age 16, Toronto Ontario. Winner of a one-year ROM Family Membership.

Honourable mention #ROMwpyJR, Ashlyn Hughes, age 16, Mississauga Ontario. Winner of a one-year ROM Family Membership.

In addition to our public #ROMwpy and #ROMwpy JR contests, we held the 4th Annual ROM Staff & Volunteer Wildlife Photography Contest! Submissions were posted on the ROM’s Facebook page from January 16 to 27; the top ten photos with the most likes were named the winners. Here are the top four as determined by our Facebook followers!

First place, Red-necked Grebe Courtship. Photo by Mark Peck, ROM Ornithologist.

Second place, Heading home after a long night with Wild Turkey. Photo by Mark Peck, ROM Ornithologist.

Third place, The Rut Begins. Photo by India Burchell, ROM Student Volunteer.

Fourth place, After the Rain. Photo by Krista Bears, ROM Lead Concierge.