And the winner is…

Clockwise from top: the winner: Toad Ball by John Hart, Elsrickle; and highly commended: Spider by Ian Soar, Derby, and Frog by John Davies, Bradford.

Judge Peter Cairns presents his pick of the best from last issue’s amphibians and reptiles photography competition. Could you do better? Enter an image of a striking visual pattern and you could win an Olympus E-PL1 camera.

“The British weather is both a blessing and a curse. With the late spring this year, amphibian photography was a big ask for this competition. That said, John Hart captured the mating frenzy of the common toad splendidly.

These amorous amphibians may have travelled two to three miles to return to their breeding grounds – a journey which sees thousands killed each year on our roads. I know Ian Soar’s spider isn’t an amphibian, but I couldn’t ignore such a fantastic shot for runner-up.”