THE CALL of the wild was answered by Oxford Mail Camera Club this week as we set members the challenge of sending in their best ‘animals’ snaps.

A crisp-loving duck, a hissing wild cat and a puffin in flight were among the expressive creatures captured by members.

The wildlife of Oxfordshire was on full display in many entries.

An image of a pair of fox cubs peering at the camera by Mark Chivers, and a frog keeping cool in a Yarnton pond by Becca Collacott were some of our favourites.

Another stunning snap was a hare in the middle of a wheat field by Duncan Becker.

There were also plenty of exotic animals featured from Corrina Turner's photograph of a Chinese water deer running at full speed to a tiger sleeping in the sun with a perfect reflection below by Chris Turner.

Closer to home, though just outside the county in Gloucestershire, we also enjoyed Kim Benson's image of a ram at Cotswold Farm Park.

The unique framing of the wooden fence helped set the farmyard picture apart.

There was some debate among camera club members on the Facebook page about what constituted an animal.

We were happy to accept the broadest definition and appreciated the collection of amazing submissions of insects and arachnids.

Two incredible butterfly snaps from Jaime Smith and Anne Lane gave a close-up look at the colourful creatures, giving an unusual perspective on the common garden visitor.

We also loved Stephen Pimm’s photograph of a bee perched on a flower for the detail he managed to capture of the insect's delicate wings.

Even more so than usual we were absolutely spoilt for choice when it came to picking our favourites for this spread and would urge animal lovers to look at the camera club Facebook page to see more impressive entries.

Next week, the theme is the slightly more abstract 'create'.

WIN £25

Join our Camera Club – which now has more than 750 members – by visiting facebook.com and searching for Oxford Mail Camera Club.

Also see tomorrow’s Oxford Mail for this week’s winner of £25, sponsored by Jessops.

Happy snapping!