Nature and wildlife photography has a unique way of connecting us to the raw beauty of our planet. Each year, photographers from across the globe capture mesmerizing images that offer glimpses into the wonders of the natural world, from serene landscapes to the untamed wild. These stunning snapshots not only celebrate nature’s elegance but also highlight the urgent need for conservation and environmental awareness. The Wildlife Nature Awards, a prestigious platform for photographers, recognizes the most extraordinary works of art that showcase the essence of life on Earth.
Category Mammals:
Highly Commended, “Gone Fishing” By Hannes Lochner
Source: Nature Photographer of the Year
“A small-spotted genet visits a water pond for a sip and glimpses a cluster of small carp swimming below the water’s surface. These elusive creatures are adept hunters of various prey: fish, frogs, mammals, birds, eggs, reptiles, and amphibians, and they have a penchant for fruits, insects, and forest-floor mushrooms. My aim was to unite these realms, above and below, by installing a camera, multiple light sources, and a gentle glow beneath the water. The aspiration was to capture the essence of autumn leaves, perhaps even encountering a fish or two if fortune smiled. As two worlds converged, an image I had dedicated over a year to crystallized before me – a testament to the fusion of these contrasting yet harmonious environments, triggered with a motion sensor.
I tried this image for years on bigger games, but most of the gear was either killed or dragged away never to be seen again. I got lucky with the small genet. Just interested in the moving of the fish, and drinking water.”
Category Underwater: Highly Commended, “Stinging Elegance” By Franco Banfi
Source: Nature Photographer of the Year
“I spotted this wonderful but stinging and dangerous Portuguese man o’ war with its commensal bluebottle fishes, while I was looking for a different species (sperm whales) in the warm water of the Caribbean Sea.
I was attracted by the frantic movements of the tiny bluebottle fishes, which swim close to the surface and among the tentacles of the Portuguese man o’ war, since they are partially immune to the stinging tentacles’ venom which discourages predators, hence they benefit from the shelter provided.
Although these fishes seem to be ten times more resistant to the toxin than other fishes, they can be stung by the dactylozooids (large tentacles), which they actively avoid.
The almost transparent gas-filled bladder of the Portuguese man o’ war, the colours, ranging from pink, to purple, to violet in total contrast with the clear blue of the marine water made for a delicate portrait.
The innate grace and elegance of this animal (especially the bladder, the upper / aerial part) are in total opposition to the danger of the nematocysts’ venom (found along the tentacles, on the underwater part). Nematocysts trigger and inject venom on contact, stinging, paralyzing, and killing molluscs and fishes, and cause severe pain to humans. On some level, the Portuguese man o’ war perfectly represents the opposition between good and evil; the forces of good and evil that are inherent in every living being.
I framed the elaborate shape, carefully approaching from below the surface to see and to be able to avoid the tentacles.”
Highly Commended, Birds
Source: Nature Photographer of the Year
Category Landscape: Highly Commended, “Yggdrasill” By Matteo Strassera
Source: Nature Photographer of the Year
The myth of Iceland as a wild, inaccessible land, home to untameable natural forces, was born in me long before my passion for photography. For years, I delved into researching this country in intricate detail, meticulously planning my adventure among its waterfalls, glaciers, and wind-swept deserts.
When news and photos of the first eruption in Iceland reached me in 2021, I was astonished. I had never imagined it would be possible to photograph such a force of nature! Determined to turn my research into reality, I decided to organize a photographic trip to Iceland the following year. From that moment, my journey became a true hunt for eruptions.
I traveled to Iceland in July, only to find that the eruption had ended. Just 10 days after my return, another eruption began. Undeterred, I decided to return in September, but once again, the eruption had ended before I arrived.
After two more trips, in July 2023, new reports from Iceland began to surface: the earth was shaking! Hundreds, even thousands of tremors followed each other for days. For two weeks, I anxiously waited, uncertain whether the activity would subside or if the earth would open up once more. Finally, I decided to take the chance and leave for Iceland, hoping for something extraordinary.
As soon as my plane touched down, my phone lit up with notifications: the eruption had started just before I landed!
I immediately rushed to the site, carrying 20kg of gear on my back, with 12 km to trek and no idea what awaited me. What I witnessed and experienced over the four days I spent photographing this incredible force of nature, is both unforgettable and indescribable.
For this particular image, captured during the eruption of Litli-Hrùtur, I chose the name Yggdrasill. In Norse mythology, Yggdrasill represents the cosmic tree whose roots sink deep into the underworld, while its branches extend to support the worlds, giving them life.
Being in a country so steeped in myths and legends, faced with a phenomenon both awe-inspiring and terrifying, I couldn’t help but see the resemblance.
The ‘roots’ of the volcano extend deep underground through the eruption’s crater, just as Yggdrasill’s roots delve into the underworld. From these roots, a mighty river of lava emerges, forming a ‘trunk’ that splits into numerous branches resembling a glowing crown of molten rock. These golden, radiant streams, like Yggdrasill’s branches, create, sustain, and transform the world around us
Category Other Animals: Highly Commended, “Taken By A Ghost” By Pandora Maund
Source: Nature Photographer of the Year
I had originally hoped to return to South Africa in 2023 for another safari, but that didn’t pan out. However, a friend invited me to join her family in the Seychelles for a couple of weeks. Having never been before, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect in terms of wildlife photography. I reached out to the ICS (Island Conservation Society) team on the island and mentioned that I would be on Desroches Island for a couple of weeks. I offered to provide any photography services and get involved with any conservation projects while I was there. After working with the Giant Aldabra Tortoises, I was invited to join an early morning beach patrol to monitor bird species and track where turtles had come from the sea overnight to lay their eggs on the beach.
I had hoped to witness and photograph turtle hatchlings making their way to the sea as the sun rose. The hatchlings instinctively wait until the sand cools, indicating nighttime, when there’s less risk of predation. As the sun rises, they use its light to guide them to the sea and as far away from shore as possible, where predation is highest. Unfortunately, only around 1 in 1000 hatchlings survive to adulthood. Once they leave the nest, predators such as birds, ghost crabs, and fish pose a significant threat.
Ghost crabs are abundant on the beach, scavenging anything from fallen fruit and plants to decaying animals—and unfortunately, live turtle hatchlings. As I walked along the beach, I spotted several horned ghost crabs. One of them had something in its claws, and I realized it had caught one of the stragglers on its first journey to the sea. I immediately lay flat on the sand and switched my lens to a 300mm (600mm equivalent) prime. The crab was scuttling along the beach, dropping its price and picking it up again. I waited patiently until it turned to face me, capturing the shot. Though it’s difficult to identify the species of the turtle, it was likely a critically endangered Hawksbill, which can be found around this remote island
Category Black And White: Highly Commended, “Stray Birds” By Minghui Yuan
Source: Nature Photographer of the Year
“At Wuhan’s East Lake, I often sit beneath the branches of this dragon jujube tree. The branches twist and meander upward in strange, beautiful shapes, adding a sense of abstraction and wonder to the scene. As I rest under the tree, I sometimes see one or two birds flying overhead. I waited patiently, hoping for the perfect moment to capture a larger group of birds soaring past. Perhaps my endless waiting paid off, as suddenly, a flock of migratory birds flew over these branches and vanished into the sky.
Life defies logic; it’s full of unexpected moments and beauty. To capture this scene, I used a super wide-angle lens. I held the camera with live view mode to enhance the visual extension effect and capture the full, sweeping view overhead.”
Category Underwater: Runner-Up, “Love In The Deep” By Luca Luigi Mario Ghezzi
Source: Nature Photographer of the Year
The Adda River, which flows near my home, is the body of water I know best. I often go snorkeling here, trying to capture fish through my lens. One day, I decided to focus on the European catfish (Silurus glanis), an invasive and predatory species that has spread through the Lombard waters in recent decades and now thrives throughout the Po basin. These non-native species have a significant impact on local biodiversity, causing the decline of native species and disrupting the balance of ecosystems.
I went to an area known for the presence of these fish, even though they are difficult to spot during the day. That day, however, I was lucky: beneath a pile of logs deposited on the riverbed, I spotted the shape of a fish. As I submerged to try to photograph it, I was surprised to discover that there were two. The two European catfish seemed to be embracing tenderly, and the pile of logs formed a natural frame, creating an image reminiscent of a pair of newlyweds.
When I surfaced, I carefully reviewed the shots, hoping that at least one was well-lit and managed to capture the scene I had just witnessed on the muddy riverbed.”
Category Landscape: Highly Commended, “Fog Fall At Belchen” By André Schweizer
Source: Nature Photographer of the Year
“The area where this picture was taken is close to where I live in the Swiss Jura. I always go to this location because there are various photo spots nearby to take great photos. It is also an excellent place to take photos of fog waves. Autumn and winter in particular are the ideal season to take fog pictures. However, ideal weather conditions must prevail for a fog wave to form. The upper limit of the fog, the temperature and the wind direction are key points, but the shape of the mountain ridge must also be right.
This morning in front of the Alpine chain, everything was just right and the first rays of sunshine also made the little snow on the trees in the foreground shine like gold. To show the flow of the fog, I took a long exposure of 4 seconds.
I often use fog as a design element to catch the viewer’s attention and make them take a closer look at the picture. Many more fog pictures can be seen on my homepage and I invite you to visit my website.”
Category Other Animals: Highly Commended, “A Graceful Flight” By Litauszki Tibor
Source: Nature Photographer of the Year
“An Antlion flies in the summer night over the Hungarian steppe. At the end of July, as evening falls, they begin their mating flight in masses. I wanted to capture this moment. To show the dynamics of their movement, I chose a long exposure time of zero point three seconds. I followed the antlion with a LED lamp, manually adjusting the focus on the lens. The flash flashed on the second curtain.
Thanks to the long exposure time and the LED lamp, the flapping of the wings can be seen. And finally, the flash froze the antlion. I spent a total of 10 evenings with them, taking over 10,000 pictures. But maybe only 10 turned out well. This is one of my favorites.”
Category Nature Of “De Lage Landen”: Category Winner, “Colorful Seagull” By Mathijs Frenken
Source: Nature Photographer of the Year
“Nature can also be found in urban areas, especially if there is water and food to be found. There is no shortage of water in the Amsterdam canals. Opportunistic animals such as birds in particular make grateful use of all that water and the food scraps that people leave behind.
Birds in the city are generally a lot less shy than their counterparts in the countryside or in the woods. This makes them easier to approach and therefore easy to photograph. This black-headed gull swam back and forth in a canal Amsterdam in the hope of finding something tasty to eat. The reflection of a colorful billboard could be seen on the water surface. I hoped that the gull would swim through the reflection so that I could capture it among all those colors. After some patience, the gull did what I wanted and I was able to take this colorful photo.”
The Australian photographer told the story of his winning photo:
I knew about this black anglerfish that lives in a reef that I dive regularly and wanted to create a portrait that would highlight the character of this ambush predator.
Animal portraits category
The third place image in the animal portraits category went to this unsettling shot of a griffon vulture staring at the camera, its head feathers matted down by blood.
Behaviour – Amphibians and reptiles
I took this image during a trip to the Galápagos Islands. The Islands are full of iconic marine iguanas and lava lizards. This was the only time I saw a lizard basking on the head of an iguana, both obviously enjoying the occasion with beatific smiles!
Preserving the Beauty of Nature Through Photography
From the grace of soaring birds to the power of roaring predators, these photos capture the essence of the wild in ways that words often cannot. Each frame speaks volumes about the importance of biodiversity, conservation, and our shared connection to the Earth. These award-winning pieces inspire us to cherish and safeguard the world we live in, urging us to take meaningful actions toward preserving the natural wonders around us
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