The Royal Parks charity has published the winning photos from their springtime photography competition, Creating Spaces for Life.

The competition invited park visitors to photograph the new life emerging in the Royal Parks during the springtime, and marks the start of a campaign from the charity highlighting the range of work that goes on behind the scenes to care for London's historic green spaces.

Thirteen photographers from three age groups have made the cut, with photos ranging from a row of four fluffy goslings under the protective wing of their parent to a common blue butterfly pictured in the spring sunshine.

Prizes for the best snaps include boating sessions and walking tours in one of the eight Royal Parks across the capital.

This photo of four goslings from Yan Lam Eliam Lau, 19 – titled 'Order-nary Growth' – came second in the Young Adult group. (Photo Yan Lam Eliam Lau/Royal Parks)

Those who came first in their category – Matthew Hill, juniors; Ellee Golding-Walker, young adult; and Edwin De A Gohinho, adult – were awarded a pair of tickets for British Summer Time Hyde Park music festival.

Ali Jeremy, Communications Director at The Royal Parks, said: "We were inspired by the hundreds of entries that we received, with a wide breadth of subjects showcasing the many forms of natural life flourishing in the heart of the city. 

"It was extremely difficult to narrow all these photographs down to the winners of the three different age groups – with winning entries received from photographers aged 7 through to 60.

"Thank you to everyone who sent in their favourite shots, we're looking forward to sharing these wonderful images so that they can be enjoyed by everyone."

'Duck and Cover' by 24-year-old Visva Moorthy, was Highly Commended by judges in the Young Adult category. (Photo: Visva Moorthy/Royal Parks)

First-place images can be seen in the gallery at the top of the article.

The full list of winners is as follows:

Junior: For entrants who are aged 15 and under

• First: Flying Free, Matthew Hill, 13
• Second: New Life, David Hunter, 15
• Third: The Large Blue Butterfly, Ace Sommerfeld, 15
• Highly commended: Tree of Wonder, Harrison Cox, 7

Young Adult: For entrants who are aged 16 to 25

• First: Robin – wild and free. Ellee Golding-Walker
• Second: Order-nary Growth, Yan Lam Eliam Lau
• Third: A new beginning, Aarna Adarkar
• Highly commended: Duck and cover, Visva Moorthy

Adult: For entrants who are aged 26 and over

• First: Walking on water, Edwin De A Gohinho
• Second: Fox or Pointer, Lee Tilley
• Third: Space for Nettles and the Bugs that Love Them, Rebecca Harvey
• Highly Commended: Afternoon Stroll, Anna Matczuk
• Highly Commended: Star, Nicholas Kemp