An Emerald Damselfly captured on hare’s-foot clover has been crowned the winner of a special photo competition to showcase the natural environment in Nottinghamshire.

Eagle-eyed photographer Kevin Clarke took the stunning shot at Intake Wood in Clipstone.

His entry was among 230 photographs submitted for a competition launched by Nottinghamshire County Council earlier this year as part of its lead role to develop a Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS).

Kevin, of Clipstone, explained why he took the photo, saying: “Damselflies are probably more overlooked than the bigger Dragonflies, but are just as striking when observed. 

“This image was taken on the edge of a large housing estate that has sprung up over the last 10 plus years. 

“A small pond was introduced where there wasn’t a pond before which gave a habitat for these creatures to thrive in. 

“Not only does it show nature can thrive close to where people live, it also showcases if you give nature the space to live in, nature can find a way to use it.”

His award-winning photo impressed the judges because it captured an insect and a plant that can be found in Nottinghamshire, while it also highlighted the aims of the LNRS to encourage developers and landowners to prioritise nature and ensure it can co-exist alongside other land uses.

The panel of three judges consisted of the county council’s Madam Chairman, Councillor Jan Goold; Helen Wildman, Nottingham City Council’s Landscape Architect in the Green Space & Natural Environment team and Janice Bradley, Head of Nature Recovery North at Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust.

Catherine Mayhew, the county council’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy Coordinator, said: “The judges were really impressed by the range and high quality of photographs submitted, as well as the passion showed by photographers for wildlife in their local green spaces.  

“The fantastic winning photo, and the top 10 images, not only showcased the skills of the individual photographer, but also the variety of habitats in the county and city – ranging from woodlands, wetlands and parks to urban wildlife and key species.

“I would like to thank everyone who entered the competition and capture on camera what Nottinghamshire and the city has to offer, as well as our three judges for taking time out of their busy schedules to select a worthy winner. Congratulations Kevin!”

Kevin, who is a committee member with the Nottinghamshire Amphibian and Reptile Group and travels across the East Midlands to survey the vertebrates, wins a night’s stay for up to three people in a luxury pod at Holme Pierrepont Country Park.

His winning photograph will also feature on the front cover of the LNRS document, which will be published on 10 November. 

The judges selected a further nine images as highly commended and they have been included within the document.