The above photo from Blue Lake near Elkford won Public Favourite for the Lake Impacts Category in the Living Lakes 2024 Lake Biodiversity Photo Challenge.
With nature’s ever-shifting rhythms, each photograph captures a one-in-a-kind fleeting moment. The 4th Annual Lake Biodiversity Photo Challenge has once again created a rich tapestry of moments from across Canada, showcasing each lake’s unique features and, in some cases, the evolving impacts they face.
Hosted by Living Lakes Canada, an award-winning water science and stewardship non-profit, the Lake Biodiversity Photo Challenge celebrates lakes across Canada and raises awareness around what’s threatening their incredible biodiversity. This year’s challenge, in partnership with the Canadian Conservation Photographers Collective, encouraged participants to follow ethical nature photography practices, ensuring the well-being and respect for the environment and wildlife.
Nearly 450 photos were submitted and 1,228 public votes cast in this year’s competition, showcasing the passion of photo-enthusiasts from coast to coast. Public Favourite winners and Judges’ Favourite winners were selected in each of the four categories: Lake Landscapes, Lake Biodiversity, Lake Impacts and Youth category, for a total of eight winning shots from across BC, Alberta, Ontario and Quebec
Tracey Halladay won Public Favourite in the Lake Impacts category with an eerie photo of Blue Lake post-wildfire in the Elk Valley. Andy Li won Public Favourite in the Lake Landscapes category for a breathtaking image of an alpine lake in Banff National Park, AB. Adam Benn won Public Favourite in the Lake Biodiversity category for a shot of a stoic Cedar Waxwing at a bird sanctuary in the Okanagan, BC. Neora Varghese won Public Favourite in the Youth category for a stunning shot of a mountain lake in the Alberta Rockies.
“The landscape of this lake was completely changed by an out of control wildfire in 2023,” said Halladay in the photo submission caption. “However, nature was healing within weeks and new growth has emerged between the burnt trees.”
The Judges’ Favourites were selected by a panel composed of Living Lakes team members, and photo challenge partners and prize sponsors.
Mario Mailloux won Judges’ Favourite in the Lake Landscapes category for capturing an idyllic cabin nestled among fall leaves in Quebec cottage country. Barb Callander won Judges’ Favourite in the Lake Biodiversity category with a shot of curious river otters in the Kawartha Lakes, ON. Zoe Bystrov won Judges’ Favourite in the Youth category with a striking photo of a Great Blue Heron catching a fish in Simcoe County, ON. Haolun Tian won Judges’ Favourite in the Lake Impacts category for a bird’s-eye view of vegetation damage at a boat launch in eastern Ontario.
Tian’s photo caption thoughtfully notes, “Our actions can have unintended consequences on lake ecosystems.” This powerful image captures a unique perspective on the impacts of high motor boat activity, and showcases how photography can raise awareness of lake impacts.
A Special Mention was awarded to Sophie Sanfacon for capturing a Rough Skinned Newt resting on an underwater leaf at a Vancouver Island lake.
Living Lakes Canada thanks everyone whose participation in this year’s Challenge contributed to an amazing snapshot of lakes across the country. The entire 2024 online gallery can be viewed here: www.livinglakescanada.ca/lbpc2024
