Last year, the Natural History Museum unveiled its extraordinary winning images chosen from a staggering 50,000 submissions. Additionally, 25 remarkable images were shortlisted by the judges and the museum, giving the public the opportunity to vote for their favorites.
Today, we are delighted to announce the winner: a captivating image of a sleeping polar bear captured by photographer Nima Sarikhani. Titled “Ice Bed,” Nima’s photograph garnered an unprecedented 75,000 votes, conveying a poignant message about the impacts of global warming. Despite the somber undertones, Nima remains optimistic, believing in our capacity to address these challenges.
Without further delay, we invite you to explore the collection of stunning, humorous, and at times poignant shortlisted images that offer a glimpse into the diverse and awe-inspiring world of wildlife.
#1 The Happy Turtle” by Tzahi Finkelstein captured hearts with its portrayal of joy and tranquility in the animal kingdom.
In the serene landscapes of Israel’s Jezreel Valley, Tzahi Finkelstein captured a captivating moment of harmonious coexistence between a Balkan pond turtle and a northern banded groundling dragonfly.
Initially preoccupied with photographing shore birds from his hide, Tzahi’s attention shifted when he noticed a Balkan pond turtle gracefully moving through the shallow waters. However, it wasn’t until a northern banded groundling dragonfly gracefully fluttered past his lens towards the turtle that his focus was truly piqued. To his surprise, the dragonfly alighted on the turtle’s nose, initiating an unexpected encounter. Rather than reacting defensively, the turtle seemed to revel in the interaction, sharing a serene moment with the dragonfly amidst the murky waters of the swamp.
#2 Looking At Me, Looking At You” by John E. Marriott captivates with its intimate portrayal of mutual curiosity between a majestic wolf and the photographer himself.
During a grizzly bear photography tour along the Chilko River, John E. Marriott and his group encountered a bear engrossed in salmon fishing.
As their small boat drifted by the bear, they observed its impressive stance on hind legs, seemingly gaining a better vantage point for spotting salmon in the shallows. In a moment of mutual curiosity, the bear briefly glanced towards the boat with a quizzical expression before refocusing on its fishing endeavors.
#3 Tender Touch” by Andy Parkinson portrays a touching moment between a European brown bear mother and her cub, evoking emotions of warmth and affection.
For 15 years, Andy Parkinson has dedicated himself to photographing the hares of Scotland’s Monadhliath Mountains, yet never before had he witnessed a moment quite like this.
Anticipating the female hare to rebuff the male’s advances with their typical explosive boxing behavior, Andy framed the scene with ample space around them. However, to his surprise, the two courting hares instead drew close and tenderly touched noses. Reacting swiftly, Andy captured this extraordinary moment on camera. For him, it served as further evidence of the intricate social dynamics that exist within the animal kingdom.
#4 Troublemaker” by Stefan Christmann showcases a mischievous penguin, adding a playful charm to the icy landscape of Antarctica.
In Antarctica’s Atka Bay, Stefan Christmann observed an intriguing encounter between an Adélie penguin, an emperor penguin, and its chick during feeding time.
With keen interest, Stefan monitored the interactions among these three penguins. Adélie penguins make a brief appearance in Antarctica’s Atka Bay during the southern hemisphere summer, known for their opportunistic nature and occasional nuisance to emperor penguins and their chicks. During feeding sessions, Adélie penguins may attempt to disrupt the adult or chick, causing them to drop their food, and swiftly seizing any morsels that fall to the ground.
#5 Homecoming” by Dvir Barkay captures the poignant moment of a migrating bird’s return to its nesting grounds, symbolizing the enduring cycle of life and the comforting embrace of home.
“Dvir Barkay dedicated over two months to capturing images of the elusive pygmy round-eared bat in the lush lowland rainforests of Costa Rica.
These bats demonstrate a distinctive roosting behavior, making use of hollows carved out with their teeth within termite colony nests. Employing a nearby branch to stabilize his camera, Dvir positioned an infrared trigger near the roost entrance, accompanied by three diffused flashes. This particular image captures the moment one of the bats returns to its home, with two carefully concealed family members peering out from the entrance.”
#6 Snowshoes” by Deena Sveinsson portrays the silent beauty of winter as a pair of snowshoes sit patiently, ready to embark on a journey through the pristine snow-covered landscape.
On a tranquil late spring morning, Deena Sveinsson ventured deep into the forests of Rocky Mountain National Park, USA, on her snowshoeing expedition. Amidst the serene landscape, she stumbled upon a snowshoe hare peacefully nestled on a small snow mound.
With utmost care to avoid disturbance, Deena quietly positioned herself in front of the hare, waiting patiently for hours. Eventually, the hare stirred from its slumber and gracefully hopped off the mound, heading in Deena’s direction. Leveraging a high frame rate, she skillfully captured the precise moment when the hare drew its large hind feet close to its head mid-hop.
These large hind feet, resembling snowshoes, serve a vital purpose for the snowshoe hare, preventing it from sinking into the deep, soft snow—a fitting adaptation reflected in its name.
#7 Shared Parenting” by Mark Boyd depicts a heartwarming scene of cooperation and care as two parents of the animal kingdom unite to nurture and protect their offspring, exemplifying the beauty of shared responsibilities in nature.
In the tranquil morning light of Kenya’s Maasai Mara, Mark Boyd observed a heartwarming scene unfold as two lionesses tenderly groomed one of the pride’s five cubs.
The previous evening, the lionesses had embarked on a hunting expedition, leaving the cubs safely concealed in dense bushes overnight. Upon their return, having been unsuccessful in their hunt, they called the cubs out onto the open grassland. In a remarkable display of communal care, lionesses within the pride often nurture each other’s cubs as their own, sharing the responsibilities of parenting. In this moment captured by Mark, the young cub reveled in the affection and attention bestowed upon it by its surrogate mothers.
#8 Tough Negotiation” by Ayala Fishaimer portrays a captivating scene of interaction and communication between two powerful creatures, evoking a sense of tension and intrigue in the animal kingdom.
“Standing atop a rock in the Judean Foothills of Israel, a red fox cub shares a moment of intense gaze with the shrew it had playfully tossed into the air moments earlier.
After an hour-long drive, Ayala Fishaimer reached the red fox den and parked at a safe distance, patiently awaiting wildlife activity. Soon enough, four energetic fox cubs emerged, engaging in playful antics. One cub, however, became distracted from its siblings and began exploring the surroundings. Suddenly, it unearthed a shrew from the sandy terrain and proceeded to toy with it like a ball. Eventually, the cub ascended a rock and tossed the shrew into the air. In that fleeting instant, Ayala seized the captivating moment when the hapless shrew and the fox cub locked eyes, encapsulating a scene of unexpected encounter in the wilderness.”
#9 Autumn Glow” by Uge Fuertes Sanz captures the enchanting beauty of the fall season, as golden sunlight bathes the landscape in a warm and serene glow, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in nature’s tranquil embrace.
For Uge Fuertes Sanz, the secluded spot by the river, nestled among the bulrushes and quaking aspens, appeared like a scene from a painted masterpiece.
The interplay of light and the arrangement of plants amidst the tree trunks, coupled with the vibrant hues and varied shapes of the autumn leaves, imbued the scene with a rich texture and harmonious balance. Spending time along the banks of the River Cabriel in the Sierra de Albarracin Mountains of Spain, Uge patiently captured over a hundred images, awaiting the perfect moment when a passing cloud would cast a soft, ethereal light over the landscape, enhancing its already mesmerizing beauty.
#10 Hope” by Roberto García-Roa captures a poignant moment in nature, embodying resilience and optimism amidst the challenges faced by wildlife.
“Hope” by Roberto García-Roa depicts a reflective moment amidst the rescued chimpanzees at the Chimpanzee Conservation Center in the Republic of Guinea.
Situated within the National Park of Upper Niger, the center serves as a sanctuary for orphaned chimpanzees rescued from the illegal pet trade and bushmeat hunting, which has led to a significant decline in the western chimpanzee population, now classified as Critically Endangered in Guinea. The center’s mission extends beyond mere rehabilitation; it aims to reintroduce these chimpanzees back into their natural habitat within the national park. Furthermore, the center actively engages with local communities to raise awareness about the importance of protecting the rainforest and its diverse inhabitants, fostering a sense of hope for the future of these endangered species.