How perfect pictures of National Parks can help lift our spirits during the ‘dark times’ of the COVID-19 pandemic


The UK National Parks and Campaign for National Parks have released the results of their ‘Inspired By Nature’ picture competition.
The brief was to capture wildlife within any of the UK’s 15 National Parks.
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Hide AdThe competition was held and judged before Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered us on March 23 to stay at home bar one health walk, run or cycle ride per day, plus other stipulations. The guidelines were brought in after people were seen flocking to public parks in droves and flouting social-distancing guidelines.


So if you are missing your social fix of walking with your mates in the Peak District or the Cairngorms then feast your eyes on the top ten pictures from the competition.
Andrew Hall, of Campaign for National Parks, said: “At this dark time we hope these pictures are a reminder there is beauty in the world. That in both normal and unprecedented times we should focus on what is important and truly share, protect and treasure them.”
The winner was Pete Stevens who photographed an osprey swooping on its fishy prey in the Cairngorms National Park.
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Hide AdPete said: “I’ve always loved being out and about in Scotland and having spent a lot of time in Aviemore and the Cairngorms as I’ve grown up having been able to keep an eye on how the osprey numbers have grown as the National Park and other bodies such as the RSPB have increased awareness and protection for them. Last year was the first chance I had ever had to photograph the ospreys and it was a brilliant experience.”


His picture, which was called ‘Breakfast to take away’, also drew praise from Cairngorms National Park Authority CEO Grant Moir. The park boss said: “I am delighted that Pete was able to visit the Cairngorms National Park and get this winning photo.
“We work with our partners in Cairngorms Nature to conserve and protect our natural heritage. The National Parks across the UK each have their own unique needs and challenges when it comes to conserving nature. They are full of people with great expertise and local knowledge who are working tirelessly to support nature and protect the land for future generations.”
The competition drew around 1,700 entries from across the 15 National Parks in the UK via social media. The subject matter ranged from outstanding wildlife shots, landscapes to people.
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Hide AdJudges shortlisted pictures from a variety of the UK’s National Parks, including a greedy puffin in the Pembrokeshire Coast and a magical landscape from the Brecon Beacons in Wales. There were also images of a red squirrel and a caver from the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Plus landscapes from Dartmoor and Exmoor.


A remarkable picture of a waterfall blowing upwards was adjudged the runner up. Sam and Ike Walker’s shot was taken at Kinder Downfall in the Peak District during Storm Dennis.
But it was Pete Stevens’ hunting osprey, which walked away with the main prize of a feature spread in Viewpoint, Campaign for National Parks’ membership magazine.
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