Winners of the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition were just announced where more than 43,000 images from 96 countries were whittled down to just eighteen. Now in its 49th year, the competition showcases the very best in nature photography and is led by two UK institutions, the Natural History Museum and BBC Worldwide.
The shortlist includes 100 photos that are first separated into two age groups – Adult and Young – and then by category like Animal Portraits, Underwater World and Creative Vision. Out of all those images, here were the top 18 that we loved the most.
Essence of Elephants
Greg du Toit (RSA) won the Animal Portrait category with this ethereal elephant picture taken from a hide at Botswana’s Northern Tuli Game Reserve. The image was taken from a hide at ground-level using a slow shutter speed to create an atmosphere and show the giant animals in a ghostly way.
Picture: Greg du Toit / Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2013
Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2013 – Grand Title Winner
Mother’s Little Headful
One night, Udayan camped near a nesting colony of gharials on the banks of the Chambal River – two groups of them, each with more than 100 hatchlings. Before daybreak, he crept down and hid behind rocks beside the babies. Photo: Udayan Rao Pawar (India)
2013: 15-17 Years – Winner
Last Light
Not one but four strokes of luck helped Mateusz fulfil his dream of photographing a long-eared owl.
Photo: Mateusz Piesiak (Poland)
2013: 15-17 Years – Commended
Harvest Gold Photo: Etienne Francey (Switzerland)
2013: 15-17 Years – Runner-up
Freeze Frame Photo: Etienne Francey (Switzerland)
2013: Behaviour: Mammals – Runner-up
Bad Boys Photo: Andrew Walmsley (United Kingdom)
2013: Creative Visions – Runner-up
Fish-eye View Photo: Theo Bosboom (The Netherlands)
2013: Creative Visions – Winner
Snow Moment Photo: Jasper Doest (The Netherlands)
2013: Eric Hosking Portfolio Award – Winner
Hot-Spring Magic Photo: Connor Stefanison (Canada)
2013: Nature in Black and White – Commended
Giant with Sunbeams Photo: Alexander Mustard (United Kingdom)
2013: Wildscapes – Runner-up
The Greeting Photo: Richard Packwood (United Kingdom)
2013: Wildscapes – Winner
The Cauldron Photo: Sergey Gorshkov (Russia)
2013: Wildscapes – Runner-up
Ice Aurora Photo: Ellen Anon (USA)
2013: Eric Hosking Portfolio Award – Winner
The Flight Path Photo: Connor Stefanison (Canada)
2013: Underwater Worlds – Runner-up
Lionfish Bait Photo: Alex Tattersall (United Kingdom)
2013: Animals in their Environment – Winner
The Water Bear Photo: Paul Souders (USA)
2013: Eric Hosking Portfolio Award – Winner
Camouflage Photo: Connor Stefanison (Canada)
2013: Animal Portraits – Joint Runner-up
Showdown Photo: Peter Delaney (Ireland)
Connor Stefanison came to Yellowstone National Park in search of both wildlife and landscapes. He captured this image of a hunting fox on his last day in the park. Picture: Connor Stefanison / Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2013