Britain’s Natural History Museum has released a sneak peek of the entries in this year’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.
The 60th anniversary of the competition drew a record-breaking 59,228 entries from 117 countries. The 14 categories include Animal Portraits, Natural Artistry, Urban Wildlife, and Oceans: The Bigger Picture. A panel of judges are now winnowing the entries to find their category winners.
The grand title of Wildlife Photographer of the Year, to be announced on October 8, is a run-off between the category winners. A few days later, 100 top photos from the competition go on display at the Natural History Museum in London.
The preview contains 15 promising photos in various categories. It includes the first highly commended photo taken on a smartphone. It captures a deer that has frosted over in the snow after passing away.
“These images represent the evolution of the competition through the years, from pure natural history to photography that fully embraces representation of the natural world,” chair of the judging panel Kathy Moran told the BBC.
The contenders
Going with the Floe by Tamara Stubbs
Crabeater seals fall asleep among the ice floes of Antarctica. Photo: Tamara Stubbs/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Hooked by Tommy Trenchard
The final moments of a requiem shark’s life as it is pulled from the ocean. Photo: Tommy Trenchard/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Stormy Scene by William Fortescue
A mating scene fraught with danger. Photo: William Fortescue/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
The Disappearing Ice Cap by Thomas Vijayan
The early melting of the Austfonna ice cap in Norway. Photo: Thomas Vijayan/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Leaving the Nest by Sasha Jumanca
One final cuddle before the fledglings leave the nest. Photo: Sasha Jumanca/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Siggy Spider by Lam Soon Tak
Named as an homage to Ziggy and the Spiders from Mars, the David Bowie spider guards a white disc of eggs. Photo: Lam Soon Tak/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
The Last Resting Place by Randy Robbins
After photographing this doe for years, Randy Robbins found her body encased in frost and ice. With no full-sized camera on hand, he took the image of her final resting place on his phone. Photo: Randy Robbins/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
As Clear as Crystal by Jason Gulley
A moment between mother manatee and calf. Photo: Jason Gulley/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Center of Attention by Georgina Steytler
Male bees battle to mate with the female. Photo: Georgina Steytler/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Moonlight Hunter by Xingchao Zhu
The Pallas cat sits in the light of the moon after catching its prey. Photo: Xingchao Zhu/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Precious Rocks by Samual Stone
Carrying building material in order of size. Photo: Samual Stone/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
In the Spotlight by Sheryovi Mehta
Two peahens perfectly positioned and silhouetted at dawn in Keoladeo National Park, India. Photo: Shreyovi Mehta/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Deadly Bite by Ian Ford
A jaguar delivers a deadly bite to a yacare caiman. Photo: Ian Ford/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Strength in Numbers by Theo Bosboom
This massive bed of mussels reminded Theo Bosboom of a marching army and their shields. Photo: Theo Bosboom/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
