Ian Wood's People's Choice entry for Wildlife Photo of the Year

Ian Wood's striking photo of an urban Badger in St Leonards on Sea called 'No Access' has been shortlisted for the Natural History Museum's Wildlife Photo of the Year People's Choice category. where 25 photos have been selected for a public vote from the 60,000 entries. 

We caught up with him to find out more about it, and him.

Tell us a little bit about yourself

I'm a wildlife photographer who uses my images to help a number of conservation projects both abroad and in UK.

And your successfully shortlisted photo?

The title is 'No access' from the sign on the wall. I photographed it in St Leonards on Sea outside my house where I had a Badger sett close by. Some residents in the street left scraps of food out for Foxes, but Badgers also came up to forage most nights.

I like it because it's an unusual image. 

What is the importance of wildlife to you?

Wildlife and nature are so important to me. I just love being in nature and adore all animals.

Any advice for people getting into wildlife photography?

Get to know your subject really well and spend lots of time observing them to look for unusual behaviour and places.

What's the message behind your photo?

The message is unless the Badger cull is halted immediately, Badgers will be locally extinct in several parts of England and we'll only see them in urban settings where they are safe. Labour have not only not halted the cull but just issued some new licenses in Cumbria. 

Any thoughts on urban wildlife in general? 

I love how Foxes, Badgers, birds and other wildlife are doing well in urban and semi urban settings. Wildlife is so important to people and most people love nature and get so much pleasure from seeing wildlife. 

Here is the Natural History Museum link where you can vote for Ian's Badger photo. 

More information on the Badger cull and how people can help. 

Ian's website