Best in Show at Lion’s Gate

The image “Grizzly with Salmon Roe” captured the Best in Show award at the recent 2021 Lion’s Gate Celebration of Nature competition. The results were announced in January, 2022.

Lion’s Gate Celebration of Nature 2021 Results

This image was captured along the Chilko River in British Columbia. The female Sockeye Salmon was laying her eggs after a 500 mile trip up the Fraser River, along the Chilcotin River and up the Chilko River. This female grizzly bear captured the fish to feed herself and her cub in preperation for their winter hibernation.

This image was part of an entry by the Comox Valley Photographic Society. The Comox club won first place in the event with their six images scoring a total of 158 points.  Contributing photographers were:

• Leah Gray, “Grizzly with Salmon Roe” (Best in Show, 1st in Wildlife)
• Steve Smith, “Running Bear”
• Don Tait, “Lonely Cedar” (HM in Landscape)
• Bryan Salwork, “Danselfly” (2nd in Nature)
• Judy Johnston, “Nature’s Camoflage
• Bruce Moffat, “Eagle’s Stare-down”

The Victoria Camera Club did not compete in 2021-22, although they won the event in 2020-21 with Steve Smith winning Best in Show.

An image of two young Grizzly Bears titled “Siblings” by Leah Gray won Best in Show in 2019, as part of the Victoria Camemra Club’s entry.