A striking image of a snow leopard in the mountains of Montana has won the top prize in the 2014 mEYE World Photographic Competition. The photo, which was taken by retired Sydney anaesthetist Dr Kerry Boytell, took out the Healthcare category and Grand Finalist prize.
An initiative of the Macular Disease Foundation Australia, the mEYE World Photographic Competition is designed to raise awareness of macular disease, the leading cause of blindness and severe vision loss in Australia.
Announcing the results of the competition Macular Disease Foundation Australia Patron, Ita Buttrose said she and her fellow judges – artist Ken Done, photographer Rex Dupain and news photographer Alan Pryke – agreed the winning photograph had brilliantly captured the competition’s theme, 'A sight worth saving'.
"All big cats in their environment are difficult to see, but when I saw this magnificent snow leopard appearing on a ledge it was a sight to behold," wrote Boytell. "I think it was just as amazed at seeing me, as I was seeing it. Our sight is precious, and being able to see nature in its glory is indeed wonderful."
Other category winners were: Yvonne Hill, Paralowie, SA (Macular Disease Community), Corinne Le Gall, Vincentia, NSW (Open, General Public), Mikayla McCubben, Kingscliff NSW (Junior, Under 18).
"All big cats in their environment are difficult to see, but when I saw this magnificent snow leopard appearing on a ledge it was a sight to behold. I think it was just as amazed at seeing me, as I was seeing it. Our sight is precious, and being able to see nature in its glory is indeed wonderful. – Dr Kerry Boytell,2014 mEYE World Photographic Competition Grand Finalist and Healthcare Professional Winner.
"Staring through the branches I observed how paragliders imitate nature. The paragliders look like seeds, flying off the barren branches. Sometimes a new perspective brings a new life. The interplay between man and nature is truly a sight to behold." – Mikayla McCubben, Junior (Under 18) category winner.
"Because of his poor eyesight due to macular degeneration, my husband now uses a walking stick after taking several nasty falls as a result of lack of depth perception, no sight in one eye and very little in the other." – Yvonne Hill, Macular Disease Community category winner.
"The savagery of a carnivorous animal having to kill another in order to survive. Witnessing and photographing two kites fighting over a leather-jacket meal is not something that I will forget in a hurry. There is not a day that goes by where I am not thankful for the gift of sight." – Corinne Le Gall, Open (General Public) category winner.
