RSPCA young photographer awards - in pictures

Conquering a Blustery Peak by Emily Biggs, shortlisted for the 12-15s category. A sheep is taken aback as it feels the force of nature on reaching the top of a hill in Shetland Photograph: Emily Biggs/RSPCA

Silhouettes by Rachel Michael, shortlisted for the 12-15s category. 'The red deer captured in this photo has stood stock still before darting back into the safety of the Ardnamurchan hills. I managed to snap them against the glorious sky that shot rays across the landscape and the place they call their home' Photograph: Rachel Michael/RSPCA

Swans in Symmetry by Samuel Hood, shortlisted for the 12-15s category. 'Having spent most of the day at Killingworth lake photographing wildlife, I spotted these swans coming in to land together and was amazed by their near-perfect symmetry and was delighted with the result of the picture - a real right time, right place shot' Photograph: Samuel Hood/RSPCA

The Early Birds by Scarlett Martin, shortlisted for the under-12s category. 'Early one morning I visited JCB lake with my family. I was hoping to take some wildlife photos around the lake when I noticed the sun breaking through the clouds and decided this would be the perfect opportunity to photograph the changing weather against the silhouettes of the four birds in mid-flight' Photograph: Scarlett Martin/RSPCA

A black-tailed godwit standing one-legged on a post which won 10-year-old Sophie Bramall from Stafford the under-12s category Photograph: Sophie Bramall/PA/RSPCA

A red squirrel pausing in a ray of evening sunlight, taken by 16-year-old Will Nicholls who took the picture in Kielder forest, near Hexham in Northumberland and has won the top prize in the awards Photograph: Will Nicholls/PA/RSPCA

A synchronised caterpillar eating team taken by Georgia Hardy, 12, which won the 12-15s group in the RSPCA young photographer awards Photograph: Georgia Hardy/PA/RSPCA

Deer in Richmond park taken by Sam Rowley, 17, from Richmond, who was awarded the title of best portfolio Photograph: Sam Rowley/PA/RSPCA

Relaxed Frog by Louis Cassidy, 12 of St Albans won the garden wildlife (12-15 years) category Photograph: Louis Cassidy/RSPCA

Two excited whippets skipping along a beach, which won Amy Wilton, 16, from Fareham, Hampshire, the pet personalities award Photograph: Amy Wilton/PA/RSPCA