Budding Naturalists with Observation Skills and Artistic Talent

So many children from all over Suffolk submitted excellent pictures to Suffolk Naturalists’ Society third annual Summer of Insects competition that the judges had to split the categories to give more worthy winners prizes.

Joan Hardingham, the SNS chairman, said “All four SNS judges agonised over judging so many pictures which really showed just how closely these budding naturalists had observed insects in their natural habitat. And it is no coincidence that several of the winners have won prizes in previous years – they must have a future in natural history and art.”

Lesser Swallow Prominent by Ruby Tiger Hawkins First Prize InsecNovember 19, 2011 8:24iv align="right"> Elephant Hawk Moth by Tara Pertwee First Prize Big Bug Drawing Older Group
	Red Admiral by William Hitchcock Second Prize Big Bug Drawing Older Group
Privet Hawk Moth Larva By Maisie Frost First Equal Big Bug Drawing Younger Group
November 19, 2011 8:24ff Tipped Moth by Lauren Bradford First Equal Big Bug Drawing Younger Group
Four-spotted Chaser by Alice Pertwee Second Equal, Big Bug Drawing Younger Group
	Earwig by Alex Curtis Second Equal Big Bug Drawing Younger Group

Photography: 1st Paul Kitchener - Humming-bird hawkmoth Joint 2nd Paul Kitchener - moths: Merveille du jour and Angle Shades 3rd Florence Dickin (8) - Peacock butterfly Insect illustrator: 1st Ruby Tiger Hawkins (13), Milden -Lesser swallow prominent moth Highly commended Raymond Lai (11-12) - fly, Oona Hook (11-12) - beetle and Renee Harrison (11-12) – damselfly
	Big Bug Drawing (9 and over) 1st Tara Pertwee (10), Kersey Elephant hawkmoth 2nd William Hitchcock (10), Ringshall—Red admiral butterfly Joint 3rd Ailish Bradshaw (9) - small Tortoiseshell and Bryony Gemmell (9) – Painted Lady butterfly Highly Commended L. Haggar (9) – woodlouse and Catherine Cooper (9) – 7-spot Ladybird
Big Bug Drawing (8 and under) Joint 1st Lauren Bradford (7) , Crowfoot - Buff tipped moth and Maisie Frost (8), Great Bricett— Privet hawkmoth Joint 2nd Alice Pertwee (8) - Four spotted chaser dragonfly; and Alex Curtis (8) - Earwig 3rd Jasmine Maxwell (8) – beetle larva Highly Commended: Amelia Davies (8) - beetle, Tierney Knights (6) - ants and Alana Edgeworth (6) - ant	and ‘Bug Man’ Martin Rapley presented the prizes.