A TRANQUIL scene of a deer peering inquisitively across a bed of bluebells has won Dorset photographer Kris Dutson a national award.

Kris initially won the South West regional award of The National Countryside Photography Competition and it was only at the awards ceremony in St James’ Palace, where the prizes were distributed by Prince Charles, that he was named overall national winner.

The picture, taken in bluebell woods near his home, is of a fallow deer peering towards the camera over a sea of blue flowers.

Kris, who lives in Wynford Eagle, said: “I used to walk the dogs up there every night and I noticed that deer would come through at the same time every day, making their way down the hill.

“One evening I decided to take the camera down there. I focused on the tree behind the deer and waited for him to come through.

“With deer, if you make the slightest noise they will look up before they run away, so as it got level with the tree I clicked the shutter once and when it looked up I clicked it again and wham, gotcha!

“It is one of those shots that gives you goosepimples when you see it and I thought ‘that’s the one’.”

Prince Charles thought so too when he presented Kris with his award.

“He told me that he thought it sums up the British countryside,” said Kris.

“Whether you are in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales, you recognise bluebells and deer. Britain is the last bastion of the bluebell.

“I decided against taking a picture of a mountain because they are so localised, whereas a bluebell wood could be anywhere in England, it’s not specific to Dorset.”

As his prize, Kris was awarded a camera and a day spent with leading landscape photographer Charlie Waite. Kris has been a ‘hobby photographer’ for the past 30 years and only turned his passion into his profession five years ago.

He entered the National Countryside Photography Competition – as did around 20,000 other keen snappers – at the chivvying of his daughter who wanted to meet Prince Charles.

“The presentation was very exciting,” he said. “There was a garden party and then Prince Charles announced the regional winners before going round and meeting some of the sponsors and other dignitaries.

“Then he announced the overall winner and my initial response was that they had got it wrong.”

Kris and his family used to live in Sussex but often visited Dorset because they love it so much.

“We decided what was the point of always running back and forward between home and here,” said Kris. “We have four kids and they love it to bits here, the quality of life is amazing. It’s inspiring and so laid back.”