The Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition, developed and produced by the Natural History Museum in London, showcases breathtaking images of the natural world. These highly commended photographs offer a glimpse into the beauty, drama, and fragility of wildlife. The exhibition runs from October 11, 2024, to June 29, 2025.
A swarm of Dawson's burrowing bees attempting to mate with a single female.Photo: Georgina Steytler / Wildlife Photographer of the Year
This remarkable macro photograph captures the intense moment of a mating swarm of Dawson’s burrowing bees. Numerous males are vying for the attention of a single female, creating a dramatic visual spectacle.
From Frigid Waters to Lush Forests: A Global Perspective
The competition features stunning images from diverse ecosystems across the globe. From the icy landscapes of the Arctic to the vibrant forests of Asia, these photographs offer a window into the incredible diversity of life on Earth.
A Pallas's cat with a captured bird, set against the backdrop of the setting moon.Photo: Xingchao Zhu / Wildlife Photographer of the Year
In the cold expanse of Inner Mongolia, a Pallas’s cat, a small wildcat native to Asia, is captured just after securing its prey, a small bird clutched beneath its paws. The setting moon provides a dramatic backdrop to this captivating scene.
Capturing Intimate Moments: Lions Post-Coitus
The competition also offers intimate glimpses into the lives of animals, capturing moments of tenderness and conflict.
Two lions post-coitus, appearing to snarl at each other.Photo: William Fortescue / Wildlife Photographer of the Year
This black-and-white image freezes a moment between two lions post-coitus. While the snarl on their faces might suggest aggression, it’s a natural part of their interaction after mating multiple times. A closer look reveals strands of saliva and insects between them.
A requiem shark struggling against a fishing hook in the South Atlantic Ocean.Photo: Tommy Trenchard / Wildlife Photographer of the Year
This powerful image highlights the plight of sharks as bycatch in the South Atlantic Ocean. The requiem shark is captured mid-struggle, contorting its body against the hook. The photograph serves as a stark reminder of the threat facing sharks, with approximately 75% of all shark species currently at risk of extinction.
Majestic Landscapes and Climate Change
The photographs also capture the grandeur of natural landscapes, while simultaneously highlighting the impact of climate change.
The Bråsvellbreen glacier in Norway, captured by a drone.Photo: Thomas Vijayan / Wildlife Photographer of the Year
A stunning drone shot reveals the immensity of the Bråsvellbreen glacier in Norway, part of Austfonna, Europe’s third-largest ice cap. The composite image, made from 26 individual frames, showcases meltwater cascading from the glacier, altering the color of the surrounding sea.
Mussels clustered together on the Portuguese coast to resist being swept away by waves.Photo: Theo Bosboom / Wildlife Photographer of the Year
On the coast of Portugal, mussels cluster together, forming a dense mass to withstand the relentless waves. The intricate patterns they create resemble a colony of penguins from afar.
Moments of Serenity and Playful Encounters
The competition also captures quieter moments in the animal kingdom, showcasing the beauty of peaceful coexistence.
Two crabeater seals resting on sea ice in the Weddell Sea.Photo: Tamara Stubbs And Atlantic Productions / Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Two crabeater seals enjoy a serene nap amidst the sea ice of the Weddell Sea. The image evokes a sense of tranquility, a peaceful respite from the harsh realities of their environment.
Two peacocks silhouetted against the light in Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan, India, with a deer in the foreground.Photo: Shreyovi Mehta / Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Two peafowl are beautifully silhouetted against the backdrop of a clearing in Rajasthan’s Keoladeo National Park, India. A deer grazes peacefully in the foreground, completing the harmonious scene.
Two tawny owlets perched on a branch in a Munich park.Photo: Sasha Jumanca / Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Two tawny owlets perch on a branch in a Munich park, Germany. One owlet appears sleepy, while the other curiously observes the photographer’s camera.
A jackdaw carrying stones in its beak for its nest.Photo: Samual Stone / Wildlife Photographer of the Year
A jackdaw diligently carries stones in its beak, not for digestion, but as building materials for its nest. The photographer also observed the bird collecting deer hair for the nest construction.
A frost-covered deer carcass on the forest floor near Susanville, California.Photo: Randy Robbins / Wildlife Photographer of the Year
A poignant image captures the remains of a deer, covered in frost, on the forest floor near Susanville, California. This photograph serves as a reminder of the cycle of life and death in the natural world.
A David Bowie spider resting between branches in Malaysia.Photo: Lam Soon Tak / Wildlife Photographer of the Year
A David Bowie spider, aptly named for the resemblance of its markings to the late musician’s makeup, rests between branches in Malaysia.
A stoat leaping in the air above a snowy landscape in France.Photo: Jose Manuel Grandío / Wildlife Photographer of the Year
A stoat performs a dramatic leap above the snow in France. This behavior, sometimes referred to as “dancing,” may be caused by various factors, ranging from parasitic infections to a hunting tactic for confusing prey.
Conclusion: Celebrating the Wonders of Nature
The Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition provides a powerful platform for showcasing the beauty, wonder, and fragility of the natural world. These highly commended images offer a compelling glimpse into the lives of animals and the diverse ecosystems they inhabit, encouraging us to appreciate and protect our planet. Visit the Natural History Museum in London to experience the full exhibition.
