A Wicken resident’s skills with the camera are helping to raise money in support of wildlife projects all over East Anglia.

Cambs Times: Ross Thomson (second left) receives his Anglia Co-operative Regional Wildlife Calendar prize. With him are chief operating executive Andy Simpson (second right) and judges David Cromack (left) and Rowland Hobson (right).Ross Thomson (second left) receives his Anglia Co-operative Regional Wildlife Calendar prize. With him are chief operating executive Andy Simpson (second right) and judges David Cromack (left) and Rowland Hobson (right). (Image: Archant)

Ross Thomson’s photograph of ladybirds emerging from hibernation on a frosty February morning has been selected as the February image in Anglia Co-operative’s 2014 Regional Wildlife Calendar.

All profits from the sale of the calendar will be shared between wildlife activities across Anglia Co-operative’s business area – including children’s watch groups run by the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northants to bring nature closer to youngsters.

Last year’s calendar netted £15,000 and, with Christmas cards – also featuring images taken by amateur photographers – raising money for wildlife activities, the aim is to hit £50,000 this year.

Ross’s photograph was selected from more than 800 entries submitted by amateur photographers from all over eastern England to a special competition to find the 12 images for the 2014 calendar. His success earned him a £250 cash prize.

A falconer by profession, Ross was walking his dog one morning when he spotted the ladybirds huddled together on a plant.

He spends a lot of his spare time taking photographs of wildlife and animals and modestly says: “I got lucky with that photograph, I suppose.”

The calendar and Christmas cards are on sale at Anglia Co-operative foodstores and on-line at www.shop.coopcompetition.co.uk