A Richmond photographer placed first in the BC SPCA Wildlife-in-Focus Photo Fundraiser Contest.
“My first reaction was shock and disbelief,” said Richmond resident Anabelle Wee.
Wee received the People’s Choice Award after receiving 1,835 votes with her short-eared owl photo taken at Richmond’s West Dyke earlier this year.
More than 500 photo entries were submitted to the two-week BC SPCA contest this year.
Funds raised from the contest go towards food and medical care for wildlife in need at the BC SPCA Wild arc, which cares for thousands of injured and orphaned wild animals each year.
“I share this victory with everyone who joined me in this fundraiser,” she said, adding that she was “grateful and ecstatic” about the community’s support.
”It was certainly gratifying to achieve the challenge I made to myself to raise the most for BC SPCA.”
Wee told the Richmond News that the contest meant a lot to her as she has loved animals since she was young and was gifted a puppy that came from the BC SPCA.
“This contest is a memory of Jason, my beloved pet, playmate and friend.”
Whether it be a sunny or cloudy day, Wee can be found taking photos anywhere and everywhere in Richmond including Richmond Nature Park, Iona Beach Regional Park, south and west dyke trails, Terra Nova and Garden City Lands.
“I feel so blessed to live in a place like Richmond since there are so many places to go to snap pictures of birds and other wildlife!”
