The first Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition is being organised by Heritage Malta’s National Museum of Natural History.

The competition organisers said the first edition had attracted some 43 amateur photographers from Malta and overseas who had submitted more than 340 dazzling images of flowers, birds, mammals, reptiles, fish and other animals.

According to the competition rules the photographers had to portray plants and animals found in the wild in the Maltese islands.

Both colour and monochrome photos could be submitted.

All photographs were judged by a panel of professional or well-renowned wildlife photographers.

The judges said they were spoilt for choice and picking a winner was going to be a tricky exercise.

The competition is now in its second phase, with all the photographs being judged according to three categories: flora, fauna, and marine.

The organisers said preparations were now under way for the awards ceremony, which will take place in early autumn. This will be followed by a three-month-long exhibition of the winning photos and the runner-ups at the National Museum of Natural History.

More information about Heritage Malta’s activities can be found on the agency’s website, www.heritagemalta.org.