Reflections in a rockpool, a golden field of rapeseed and an army of hungry caterpillars are three of the winning photographs announced last night (Thursday 26 February) at the ninth annual Scottish Seabird Centre Nature Photography Awards.

The winners were chosen from an impressive 435 images of wildlife, plant life, the environment and landscapes, submitted by amateur photographers from around the world including the US, Germany and the Netherlands.

In each of the eight categories there was an image selected by the expert panel of judges and an image selected by the voting public. Visitors to the Scottish Seabird Centre have been voting since November, as well as online. 

In three of the categories, the same winner was selected by both the judges and the voting public. These are: Junior under 12, Anna Smart from Ballencrieff, Sky Blue; Junior 12-16, Jocelyn King from Airth, Jazzy Caterpillars; and Landscape, Robin Tolladay from Dunbar, Which Way.

The other winners, selected by the judges, are:

Creative Visions of Nature – Nel Murray from Tranent, Rockpool Creatures

Environmental Impact – Mostafa Dehqan from Iran, A Bad Green Bloom

Scottish Wildlife – Bob Humphreys from Aberdeenshire, Dolphin with Fish

World Flora – Fiona Govan from Gorebridge, Red Campion

Worldwide Wildlife – Steve Wrightson from Northumberland, Evening Bear

The winners selected by the voting public were:

Creative Visions of Nature – Robin Tolladay from Dunbar, Liquid Trees

Environmental Impact – Peter Lewis from Peterhead, Safety Net

Scottish Wildlife – Tom Langlands from Annan, Murmuration of Starlings

World Flora – Suzanne Maitland from Galashiels, Droplet

Worldwide Wildlife – Sandy Scott from the USA, Bringing Home Breakfast

This year's judging panel included Lorne Gill, award-winning official photographer from Scottish Natural Heritage; outstanding freelance photographer Graham Riddell and Scottish Field editor Richard Bath.

Lorne Gill, Scottish Natural Heritage photographer and judge, said: “Choosing winners from the hundreds of images we receive is never easy, but the level of creativity and the diversity of photographs makes it such a pleasure. So many of the images are thought-provoking and inspiring, and I especially enjoy the photographs submitted by younger photographers. It is a completely different perspective to see nature through a child's eyes and one we should all aim to take more often.”

Caroline Vevers, Events & Exhibitions Officer at the Scottish Seabird Centre, adds: “As a conservation and education charity, we focus on making people aware of the beauty of wildlife and the natural environment around us, and the importance of preserving it. Seeing an appreciation of that world reflected in these striking photographs is very heartening and we're so impressed with the quality of entries received this year.”

The winners receive a range of prizes including trips to the Isle of May National Nature Reserve with Lorne Gill; memberships for the Scottish Seabird Centre and Scottish Wildlife Trust; vouchers for Northshots Photography and day-long wildlife trips courtesy of Isle of Mull Wildlife Expeditions.

An exhibition of the winning photographs will be on display at the Scottish Seabird Centre until late March. Included with admission – adults £8.95/ child £4.95.

Entries for the 2015 Scottish Seabird Centre Nature Photography Awards will be welcome from Puffin Fest (15-25 May) onwards. For full details visit www.seabird.org