BBC Wildlife Artist of the Year 2010

Now in its second year, this art competition showcased even more stunning work. Last year, the  inaugural awards for wildlife artists highlighted some truly beautiful and original art. This year, the competition attracted more than 500 entries from as far away as Canada, Mexico, Australia and Japan, of which just under 100 artworks made it through to the finals.

On judging day, it was lovely to see some unusual species on the walls: an emperor tamarin with a twirly moustache gazed at a gathering of the grandest wattles seen in the bird world; a shoebill beat a flock of vultures to the most baleful stare. The ‘Visions’ category saw some astonishing creativity, and the ‘International’ category – this year, judged digitally – was fiercely fought.