Top award for Katrina

A CUMBERNAULD based nature photographer has won a major photography award - and her striking prize winner entry was taken right year in Cumbernauld.
By The Newsroom
Published 28th Mar 2013, 09:20 BST

Katrina Martin (25) of Campsie View in Kildrum scooped first prize in the Environmental Impact category at the Scottish Seabird Centre’s Nature Photography Awards.

The administrative assistant at Stirling University had shot this blackbird using razorwire as a singing perch on the industrial space that borders Cumbernauld Glen’s nature reserve.

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Katrina who originally hails from rural Norfolk been photographing Cumbernauld for the UK-wide 2020VISION project since January 2011 to capture the beauty and diversity of the town’s nature reserves and green spaces.

She received her award from Richard Bath, editor of Scottish Field and senior features writer for Scotland on Sunday.

Nature lover Katrina says “I am completely stunned that I won first place. The standard of images was so high and I was not expecting it. I feel really honoured and grateful to the judges for selecting my photograph.”

The image has a special place in Katrina’s own heart because she thinks it illustrates how nature can co-exist in harmony with an urban environment.

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She said: “This beautiful bird was proudly defending his territory; using the space created at the boundary, which allowed his wistful and melodic voice to project far and wide.

“Not only was it a joy to watch and listen to, but it indicates that Mr Blackbird was very happy with this location for raising a family with the missus!” she added.