Adorable animal snaps taken by Britain’s best young nature photographers have been shortlisted for prizes in an RSCPA competition, with one nominee aged just six.
Fourteen images of animals, pets and farm animals have been shortlisted, and the winner will be decided by votes cast online by the public.
The cute and fun images show pets and farm animals the children found, including snaps of Highland cows, cats and dogs, and even an alpaca.
Other entries include snaps of Charlie the rescue rooster, by Rebekah Welby, 14, and Susie, the nosy pony, by Eilidh Shannon, 12.
The youngest to make the shortlist is 6-year-old Alfie Woodfine, from Berkshire, who captured the photo of his beautiful puppy Petal after she fell asleep among her teddy bears.
Britain’s best young nature photographers are competing for prizes at the RSPCA Awards, and voting is now open to the public. Pictured: Yawning cat – by Yiyi Poulopoulou, 15, from Cheshire
Jumping jacks! Pepper and Mabel: the ‘jumping frogs’ taken by Sophie Green, 18, from Northumberland
Sleepy Feline: Maine Coon Jack Cat by Bella Pharo, 13, from London
Emma Narkevic, 13, lives in Kent and was shortlisted for her entry – a Highland cow enjoying a leafy snack.
“This image is very funny because you realize that animals, like this cow, have characters like people,” he said.
“Even cows can enjoy a little snack and I’m so grateful to capture this because although I was trying to get a serious and beautiful view of an animal, you can get a hysterical and silly side that made my day!”
The People’s Choice award is now open for voting and the public can choose their favorite photographs. The winner will receive £100 Amazon vouchers and an RSPCA Young Photographer Awards trophy.
Voting closes on March 12 and the winner will be announced on March 14.
Up close and personal: Suzie the Nosy Dartmoor Pony by Eilidh Shannon, 12, from Aberdeenshire
It’s a Bug’s Life: A macro photograph of an insect in amazing detail taken by Erin Shepherd, 17, from Nottinghamshire
What a cow! Emma Narkevic, 13, lives in Kent and was shortlisted for her entry – a Highland cow enjoying a leafy snack.
Alpacas under the viaduct by Corina Southern, 13, Greater Manchester
Other entries include snaps of 14-year-old Rebekah Welby’s rescue rooster Charlie.
Diggity Dog: Eilidh Shannon’s dog Lexie, 12, from Aberdeenshire
How rude! Dog Lexie sticks out her tongue, taken by Eilidh from Aberdeenshire
Parkour: Pepper the dog by Sophie Green, 18, from Northumberland
The youngest to make the shortlist is 6-year-old Alfie Woodfine, from Berkshire, who captured the photo of his beautiful puppy Petal after she fell asleep among her stuffed animals.
Shake It Off: Marley the dog of Violet Brown, 12, from Sussex
Dreamy Dalmatian: Lily Logan, 13, from East Yorkshire, photographed Rupert the Dalmatian sleeping on the sofa
Photographer and RSPCA awards judge Andrew Forsyth said: “We love this part of the awards because it gives the public the chance to enter and choose their favorite photo.”
‘We have some fun, sweet and awesome photos shortlisted and we’re excited to share them. I can’t wait to see the winning photo!
‘The photographs shortlisted for this year’s People’s Choice Award show some incredibly pleasing images and a variety of animals, from pets to farm animals and insects.
“This is a fantastic selection that is sure to make you laugh and say ‘aww’ out loud, so please vote!”