EditorsYou can now have your say in the Natural History Museum’s world-renowned Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition by voting for the winner of the LUMIX People’s Choice Award here.
Fans of wildlife photography around the world can choose their favorite from 25 images, pre-selected by the Natural History Museum from over 48,000 image entries from 100 countries. Here are some of our faves from the Wildlife Photographer of the Year shortlist.
Beak to beak
by Caludio Contreras Koob Mexico
Flamingo Caring for Baby via Claudio Contreras Koob
Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve in the state of Yucatán is home to Mexico’s largest flock of Caribbean flamingos. This chick is less than five days old – it will stay in its nest less than a week before it joins a crèche of other youngsters who wander around the colony searching for food.
Big ears
by Valeriy Maleev, Russia
Long-eared Jerboa via Valeriy Maleev
Valeriy was on a summer expedition to the Mongolian part of the Gobi Desert when he happened upon a long-eared jerboa. As blood moves through the ears of these usually nocturnal animals, excess heat dissipates across the skin and so the jerboa is able to stay cool.
Training session
by Stefan Christmann, Germany
Penguins Training Session via Stefan Christmann
When Stefan came across this penguin couple in Atka Bay, Antarctica, seemingly with an egg, he was surprised as it was too early in the season for egg-laying. Upon closer inspection he discovered the egg was a snowball! Perhaps the diligent couple were practicing egg transfer in preparation for when their real egg arrived. This is possibly the first time it has ever been witnessed and documented.
Family get-together
by Michael Schober, Austria
© Michael Schober – Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Marmots have become accustomed to the presence of humans in Hohe Tauern National Park, Austria and allow people to observe and photograph them at close range. This behaviour is beneficial for the marmots, as human company deters predators such as golden eagles.
Station squabble
by Sam Rowley, UK
Station Squabble Rats via Sam Rowley
Sam discovered the best way to photograph the mice inhabiting London’s Underground was to lie on the platform and wait. He only saw them fight over scraps of food dropped by passengers a few times, possibly because it is so abundant. This fight lasted a split second, before one grabbed a crumb and they went their separate ways.
Mother knows best
by Marion Volborn, Germany
Mother Knows Best via Marion Vollborn
Tender play
by Steve Levi, USA
While on a bear watching trip to the Nakina River in British Columbia, Canada Marion spotted a grizzly bear and her young cub approach a tree. The mother bear started to rub against the tree trunk and was followed shortly by the cub, imitating its mother.
Tender Play Polar Bears via Steve Levi
It was early March and Steve spotted this mother polar bear and her two cubs after 10 days of looking. They had recently left their birthing den in Wapusk National Park, Canada, to begin the long journey to the sea ice so their mother could feed. After a nap the cubs were in a playful mood.
Inquisitive
by Audan Rikardsen, Norway
Inquisitive Eagle via Audun Rikardsen
From a hide on the coast of northern Norway, it took Audun three years of planning to capture this majestic bird of prey in its coastal environment. After some time, the golden eagle became curious of the camera and seemed to like being in the spotlight.
Teamwork
by Jake Davis, USA
Teamwork Whale by Jake Davis
Jake was on a boat off the coast of Great Bear Rainforest, British Columbia, Canada where he watched humpback whales bubble-net feeding. Here the lead whale dives to locate the fish, once the fish are located, the rest of the pod swim in decreasing circles while blowing bubbles which create a net, trapping the fish.
What a poser
by Clement Mwangi, Kenya
What a Poser Leopard Clement Mwangi
In Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve, Clement spent time observing this beautiful leopard as she soaked up the last warm rays of the setting sun. Clement is mindful to remember to take pleasure in life’s simple moments – being all too aware that sometimes, as a wildlife photographer, you can miss the exceptional while looking for the unusual.
The humpback calf
by Wayne Osborn, Australia
The Humpback Calf via Wayne Osborn
Wayne spotted this male humpback calf and its mother while diving off the Vava’u Island group in the Kingdom of Tonga. The calf kept a curious eye on Wayne as it twisted and turned before returning to its mother periodically to suckle. She was relaxed and motionless 20 metres (65 feet) below.
Shortlisted images are currently on display at the highly acclaimed Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition at the Natural History Museum in London, until the voting ends on 4 February 2020. The winner will then be showcased until the exhibition closes on 31 May.
Wildlife Photographer of the Year is the longest-running and most prestigious photography competition in the world. Each year it sparks curiosity and wonder in millions of people, using the unique power of photography to sway both hearts and minds. Showcased all over the globe, the awarded images remind us of the impact of human activity and emphasize the urgent need to protect the planet and the species we share it with.
Also Read:
First Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2019 Images Revealed
Wildlife Photographer of the Year: Powerful Photos You Won’t Forget
