Canada’s Shane Gross has won the annual Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition with his backlit image of tadpoles underwater. Gross beat stiff competition from a record-breaking 59,228 entries to take the award.
A marine conservation photojournalist by trade, his image shows a swarm of black and gold western toad tadpoles moving through the stalks of lily pads. It is the first time the species has featured in the competition.
Gross took the photo while swimming in Cedar Lake on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Only one percent of tadpoles make it to adulthood.
Photo: Larry Taylor/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
“The jury was captivated by the mix of light, energy, and connectivity between the environment and the tadpoles,” explained Kathy Moran, chair of the jury for Wildlife Photographer of the Year.
Other winners
Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year went to Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas from Germany for his macro image of a raspberry-colored springtail edging towards slime mold.
Photo: Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Springtails are tiny creatures, just a few millimeters long, known for their rapid pace and jumping skills. To create the final image Tinker-Tsavalas snapped 36 frames at slightly different focal lengths. He then combined them to create the incredible photo.
“To see a macro image of two species photographed on the forest floor, with such skill, is exceptional,” said Moran.
Photo: Theo Bosboom/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
This is the 60th anniversary of the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year contest held by the Natural History Museum in London. At the same time as naming the two grand title winners, the jury of judges awarded the winner of each of the 18 categories within the competition. An exhibition of 100 images that took home commendations and awards is now on display at the museum. “
Photo: Ian Ford/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Photo: Tamara Stubbs/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
