A photo of a Eurasian nuthatch soaring through a forest in Hungary was the overall winner of this year's Close-up Photographer of the Year competition. Csaba Daróczi took the photo using a GoPro placed inside a hollowed-out tree stump. <strong>Explore the gallery to see more photos from this year's awards. </strong>
A photo of a Eurasian nuthatch soaring through a forest in Hungary was the overall winner of this year's Close-up Photographer of the Year competition. Csaba Daróczi took the photo using a GoPro placed inside a hollowed-out tree stump. Explore the gallery to see more photos from this year's awards.
Csaba Daróczi/cupoty.com
The contest celebrated macro and micro photography across 11 categories. Winning the insects title was this photo taken by René Krekels in the Netherlands that shows wood ants defending their community by spraying acid.
The contest celebrated macro and micro photography across 11 categories. Winning the insects title was this photo taken by René Krekels in the Netherlands that shows wood ants defending their community by spraying acid.
René Krekels /cupoty.com
This image of an oak peacock moth resting on a window as a wedding party takes place inside won the butterflies and dragonflies category. Also taken by Csaba Daróczi, he recalls how he had seen insects being attracted to the lights of the wedding hall in Uzsa, Hungary, and when he moved closer he spotted the exquisite moth.
This image of an oak peacock moth resting on a window as a wedding party takes place inside won the butterflies and dragonflies category. Also taken by Csaba Daróczi, he recalls how he had seen insects being attracted to the lights of the wedding hall in Uzsa, Hungary, and when he moved closer he spotted the exquisite moth.
Csaba Daróczi/cupoty.com
A comical photo of a <em>Stiphra</em>, part stick insect and part grasshopper, won the invertebrate portrait category. It was taken by American photographer Tibor Molnar in Yasuni National Park, Ecuador.
A comical photo of a Stiphra, part stick insect and part grasshopper, won the invertebrate portrait category. It was taken by American photographer Tibor Molnar in Yasuni National Park, Ecuador.
Tibor Molnar/cupoty.com
Simon Theuma's photo of a commensal shrimp floating above a mosaic sea star won the underwater category. Taken in Shellharbour, Australia, Theuma says that the image is a reminder of the delicate balance that exists in the natural world.
Simon Theuma's photo of a commensal shrimp floating above a mosaic sea star won the underwater category. Taken in Shellharbour, Australia, Theuma says that the image is a reminder of the delicate balance that exists in the natural world.
Simon Theuma/cupoty.com
An image showing an aquatic plant known as water violet submerged beneath moving water won the intimate landscape category. Taken by Csaba Daróczi in Izsák, Hungary.
An image showing an aquatic plant known as water violet submerged beneath moving water won the intimate landscape category. Taken by Csaba Daróczi in Izsák, Hungary.
Csaba Daróczi/cupoty.com
Winning the plants category is this Monet-esque image of a magnolia tree reflected in the water of Trompenburg Botanical Garden, Netherlands. Taken by Ria Bloemendaal.
Winning the plants category is this Monet-esque image of a magnolia tree reflected in the water of Trompenburg Botanical Garden, Netherlands. Taken by Ria Bloemendaal.
Ria Bloemendaal/cupoty.com
A 1-milimeter tall slime mold with a crown of frost won the fungi and slime mold category. Photographer Barry Webb spotted the tiny beauty in amongst the leaf litter in Hodgemoor Wood in the UK.
A 1-milimeter tall slime mold with a crown of frost won the fungi and slime mold category. Photographer Barry Webb spotted the tiny beauty in amongst the leaf litter in Hodgemoor Wood in the UK.
Barry Webb/cupoty.com
Winning the micro category is this unusual, brightly colored cross-section of beach grass. Gerhard Vlcek found the grass in his friend's garden in Austria and sliced open the stem to admire what was within.
Winning the micro category is this unusual, brightly colored cross-section of beach grass. Gerhard Vlcek found the grass in his friend's garden in Austria and sliced open the stem to admire what was within.
Gerhard Vlcek/cupoty.com
17-year-old Carlos Pérez Naval won the young photographer title with this image of a Moorish gecko on a wall covered with mineral deposits. Taken in the village of Calamocha, Spain, Naval was attracted by the bizarre, forest-like formations of the magnesium mineral and waited for a gecko to turn up.
17-year-old Carlos Pérez Naval won the young photographer title with this image of a Moorish gecko on a wall covered with mineral deposits. Taken in the village of Calamocha, Spain, Naval was attracted by the bizarre, forest-like formations of the magnesium mineral and waited for a gecko to turn up.
Carlos Pérez Naval/cupoty.com
In a break from the natural world, the competition also has one category that celebrates the human-made. Winning this was American photographer Elizabeth Kazda who photographed colored threads up close using in-camera multiple exposure.
In a break from the natural world, the competition also has one category that celebrates the human-made. Winning this was American photographer Elizabeth Kazda who photographed colored threads up close using in-camera multiple exposure.
Elizabeth Kazda/cupoty.com