US photographer Karine Aigner got close to the action as a group of bees competed to mate. "The big buzz" was captured in South Texas.
US photographer Karine Aigner got close to the action as a group of bees competed to mate. "The big buzz" was captured in South Texas.
Karine Aigner/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
"House of bears" by Dmitry Kokh shows a haunting scene of polar bears shrouded in fog at the long-deserted settlement on Kolyuchin Island in Russia.
"House of bears" by Dmitry Kokh shows a haunting scene of polar bears shrouded in fog at the long-deserted settlement on Kolyuchin Island in Russia.
Dmitry Kokh/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Japanese photographer Junji Takasago captured this dream-like scene, called "Heavenly flamingos," in Bolivia. Photographed high in the Andes, Salar de Uyuni is the world's largest salt pan and home to a large lithium mine.
Japanese photographer Junji Takasago captured this dream-like scene, called "Heavenly flamingos," in Bolivia. Photographed high in the Andes, Salar de Uyuni is the world's largest salt pan and home to a large lithium mine.
Junji Takasago/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Tony Wu watches the electrifying reproductive dance of a giant sea star. "Shooting star" was taken in Kinko Bay, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan.
Tony Wu watches the electrifying reproductive dance of a giant sea star. "Shooting star" was taken in Kinko Bay, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan.
Tony Wu/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
"Ndakasi's passing" by Brent Stirton shows the closing chapter of the story of a much-loved mountain gorilla in the Senkwekwe Center, Virunga National Park, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
"Ndakasi's passing" by Brent Stirton shows the closing chapter of the story of a much-loved mountain gorilla in the Senkwekwe Center, Virunga National Park, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Brent Stirton/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
"The dying lake" by Daniel Núñez was taken to raise awareness of the impact of contamination on Lake Amatitlán, in Guatemala.
"The dying lake" by Daniel Núñez was taken to raise awareness of the impact of contamination on Lake Amatitlán, in Guatemala.
Daniel Núñez/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Mateusz Piesiak seized the opportunity to capture the moment when a passing peregrine falcon caused some dunlins to fly up. "A theatre of birds" was taken in Poland.<br />
Mateusz Piesiak seized the opportunity to capture the moment when a passing peregrine falcon caused some dunlins to fly up. "A theatre of birds" was taken in Poland.
Mateusz Piesiak/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
"The bat-snatcher" by Fernando Constantino Martínez Belmar shows the moment a Yucatan rat snake snaps up a bat in Kantemo, Quintana Roo, Mexico.
"The bat-snatcher" by Fernando Constantino Martínez Belmar shows the moment a Yucatan rat snake snaps up a bat in Kantemo, Quintana Roo, Mexico.
Fernando Constantino Martínez Belmar/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Katanyou Wuttichaitanakorn reveals a mix of contrasting colors and textures of a Bryde's whale along the Upper Gulf of Thailand.
Katanyou Wuttichaitanakorn reveals a mix of contrasting colors and textures of a Bryde's whale along the Upper Gulf of Thailand.
Katanyou Wuttichaitanakorn/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
"Spectacled bear's slim outlook" by Daniel Mideros depicts a poignant portrait of a disappearing habitat and its inhabitant. Taken in Peñas Blancas, Quito, Ecuador.<br />
"Spectacled bear's slim outlook" by Daniel Mideros depicts a poignant portrait of a disappearing habitat and its inhabitant. Taken in Peñas Blancas, Quito, Ecuador.
Daniel Mideros/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
In Spain, Ismael Domínguez Gutiérrez mesmerizes with a monochromatic portrayal of an osprey sitting on a dead tree, surrounded by fog in "Out of the fog."
In Spain, Ismael Domínguez Gutiérrez mesmerizes with a monochromatic portrayal of an osprey sitting on a dead tree, surrounded by fog in "Out of the fog."
Ismael Domínguez Gutiérrez/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Nick Kanakis gains a glimpse into the secret life of wrens with this photo "The listening bird," taken in Tatamá National Park, Colombia.
Nick Kanakis gains a glimpse into the secret life of wrens with this photo "The listening bird," taken in Tatamá National Park, Colombia.
Nick Kanakis/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
"The Cuban connection" by Karine Aigner captures a caged Cuban bullfinch along a sidewalk to tell the shared story of Cuban culture and these songbirds.
"The Cuban connection" by Karine Aigner captures a caged Cuban bullfinch along a sidewalk to tell the shared story of Cuban culture and these songbirds.
Karine Aigner/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
In "Battle stations," Ekaterina Bee watched Alpine ibex fight a battle of domination in Piedmont, Italy.
In "Battle stations," Ekaterina Bee watched Alpine ibex fight a battle of domination in Piedmont, Italy.
Ekaterina Bee/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Agorastos Papatsanis creates an otherworldly fairy tale with "The magical morels," highlighting the labyrinthine forms of fungi in the forests of Greece's Mount Olympus.
Agorastos Papatsanis creates an otherworldly fairy tale with "The magical morels," highlighting the labyrinthine forms of fungi in the forests of Greece's Mount Olympus.
Agorastos Papatsanis/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
A male Canary Islands houbara raises his plume to perform impressive courtship displays. José Juan Hernández Martinez shot this moment in Spain, calling it "Puff perfect."
A male Canary Islands houbara raises his plume to perform impressive courtship displays. José Juan Hernández Martinez shot this moment in Spain, calling it "Puff perfect."
José Juan Hernández Martinez/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Richard Robinson showcases a scene of hope in "New life for the tohorā" for a population of whales that has survived near extinction in New Zealand's Auckland Islands.
Richard Robinson showcases a scene of hope in "New life for the tohorā" for a population of whales that has survived near extinction in New Zealand's Auckland Islands.
Richard Robinson/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
"The great cliff chase" by Anand Nambiar snaps a glimpse into the life of a snow leopard in India charging a herd of ibex toward the edge of the cliff at the Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary.
"The great cliff chase" by Anand Nambiar snaps a glimpse into the life of a snow leopard in India charging a herd of ibex toward the edge of the cliff at the Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary.
Anand Nambiar/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Underwater photographer and biologist Laurent Ballesta took below zero dives beneath Antarctica's frozen floor for "Under Antarctic ice," giving a glimpse of the diversity of life.
Underwater photographer and biologist Laurent Ballesta took below zero dives beneath Antarctica's frozen floor for "Under Antarctic ice," giving a glimpse of the diversity of life.
Laurent Ballesta/Wildlife Photographer of the Year