Recently, the London Museum of Natural History hosted the award ceremony for the best participants of the "Wildlife Photographer of the Year" contest.
This year more than 50,000 photographs from 92 countries took part in the competition. The winner was a photo depicting the mutilated body of a black rhinoceros. Its author, Brent Sterton, was able to convey the cruelty and ruthlessness inherent in some individuals of modern society, ready for anything, for the sake of profit.
1. "The treasure of the Arctic", Sergei Gorshkov, Russia
The author of the photo spent a lot of time on Wrangel Island, watching the colony of Arctic geese. Soon after the females were demolished, arctic foxes began to visit the nesting place. For predators, goose eggs are one of your favorite treats. However, in order to sneak them, you have to excel. This fox, apparently, was lucky.
2. "Children of the Jungle", Charlie Hamilton James, England
Charlie worked for a long time in the community of Machiguana in Yomibato. Here he became acquainted with Yion and her monkey. Every day a girl with a pet came to the lake to swim. Tamarin, of course, was not enthusiastic about this occupation and constantly tried to get out on the head of the hostess, but did not try to avoid water procedures.
3. "Snowy Battle", Erland Haarberg, Norway
In spring, mountain hares become particularly aggressive towards each other. The battle of a pair of "bully" against the background of falling snowflakes in the Voldalen forest was once observed by Haarberg, who captured everything seen on the camera.
4. "Bear's arms", Ashley Scully, USA
The mother-bear spent the cubs through the beach, and one of the kids wanted to stay on shore.
5. "Stuck", Ashley Scully, USA
Ashley loves to watch the foxes. She even has her own "shelter" in the yard of the house. But this photo girl - Ashley - the winner in the category "11 - 14 years" - made an accident when she saw the fox from the car window. Animals often "dive" in the snow, hunting for mice-voles. Usually hunting goes well, but this time the fox had to confine itself to a good shot.
6. "Authoritative Toad", Jaime Culebras, Spain
Jame hunted for a good shot, and the toad just jumped to the night coast. Suddenly she stopped, and Culebras examined her spotted abdomen, resembling a starry sky. It became obvious: a successful shot was found.
7. Monument to the Mind, Brent Sterton, South Africa
The photo was taken as part of a secret investigation into the illegal trade in rhinoceroses. This rhinoceros is one of the last victims of poachers. In the commission of a number of crimes, a group of local residents is suspected. They illegally entered the territory of the park Huhluwe-Umfolozi, lured the unfortunate animal into the drain, shot him, cut off the horn and fled. Once black rhinoceroses were one of the most numerous species, but now there are no more than 5 thousand individuals.
8. "Saved by compassion", Adrian Stern, Australia
In order to win the trust of this pangolin, his curator had a lot of time left, but patience and kindness finally won. Adrian tried to best convey the touching relationship of this couple.
9. "Sewer Surfer", Justin Hoffman, USA
Justin for a long time watched the sea horses, which swam from one location to another in search of something edible. At some point, the photographer noticed how a small creature grabbed a tail in a cotton swab - alas, the debris in the world's oceans becomes more and more every day. It looked so glorious, but soon the emotion was replaced by anger. The fact is that sea horses spend a lot of energy on movement, and to rest, they cling to the blades of algae and corals. Wherever the water of the baby will be carried away with such an unreliable "anchor" is unknown, but to return to his own it will obviously have to be made with a lot of effort.
10. "Care with caution," Robin Moore, England
These kids are only a few hours old. Robin made this photograph of the iguanas as part of a campaign to rescue reptiles. Volunteers save eggs from predators. After the iguanas grow up a little in captivity, they - released and able to stand up for themselves - are released to freedom.
11. "Circle of Life", Jordi Chias Puyol
To protect themselves, mackerel gathers in a tight circle. And the scheme of protection of these fish, apparently, works faultlessly. Puyol swam near the flock for more than an hour, during this time it did not dare to attack any predator.
12. "Winter Lull", Matt Andersson, Sweden
Squirrel so touchingly folded her legs and closed her eyes. "As for prayer," thought the photographer and took a picture.
13. "Night raid", Marcio Cabral, Brazil
For three years, the photographer "hunted" for a successful shot with luminous termites. And he was finally lucky. Moreover, as: a large anteater, who went hunting, got into the Cabral's lens.
14. "Wings of the Winter", Imre Potho, Hungary
The author caught moths "on a flashlight". Many insects flew to the light, so it was not easy to make a successful photo. But Imre coped.
15. "The Power of Matriarchy", David Lloyd, New Zealand
She led her flock directly to David. When the elephant approached and looked at the photographer, he was amazed: how much respect and wisdom in her look.
16. "Delivery at the highest level", Tehar, Castiel, Israel
For many days the photographer watched as a couple of kvezalov carefully feed their chicks. It was very difficult to keep up with the rapid movements of the wings of these birds, but patience helped Castiel make a decent photo.
17. "The Majesty of the Monarchs", Jama Rojo, Spain
The trunks and branches in the picture are dotted with butterflies by monarchs. The photographer walked along the grove and saw the trees tremble with light wind blows.
18. "Insiders", King Lin, China
Six dives were required in order for all three curious isopods to simultaneously look out from the mouths of their breadwinners, who, unfortunately, are waiting for an early death from parasites.
19. "Giant Assembly", Tony Wu, USA
Such a large population of whales is a good sign. If they are together, then they will multiply and produce new individuals.
20. "Cold trap", Fred Zacek, Estonia
Fred came to spend many hours lying on his stomach, and watching the otters hunt for their favorite delicacy - frogs.
21. "Brave Eagle", Klaus Nigge, Germany
The rain that lasted a few days, a little spoiled the appearance of the eagle, but his gaze remains still majestic and brave.
22. "Spring problem", John Moulinex, South Africa
For a long time John had to wait until the crocodile popped up and attacked. But he did not lose his vigilance for a second, which helped to make him such a photo.
23. "Swimming Pool", Lauren Ballesta, France
In the photo there is a sea lioness and her grown-up baby.
24. "Wolf control", Lasse Kurkela, Finland
25. "The attack of lions", Michael Cohen, USA
In general, in nature, lions rarely attack giraffes. Predators are frightened by powerful hoofs. So, seeing this scene, Michael was very surprised. And then he looked closely and saw that the victim of the hoof was deformed. And apparently, not one photographer noticed this.
26. "Blades of grass and ripples", Theo Bosbom, The Netherlands
The author simply could not resist seeing this beauty on the water.
27. "Contemplation", Peter Delaney, Ireland / South Africa
Totti tried to get the female's position for a long time and persuaded her to come down, and then surrendered and flopped to the ground.
28. "Shark Revolution", Esantosh Shanmuga, USA
Someone will find this spectacle frightening, but it's actually beautiful.
29. "A piece of a lynx", Laura Albiac Vila, Spain
In the photo - Iberian lynx, which in nature is much less common European.
30. "Surprise for crabs", Justin Gillian, Australia
Justin was shooting an artificial reef when suddenly a flock of crabs and an octopus appeared in the frame, behaving like a child, who was allowed to take whatever he liked in the pastry shop.
31. "An instant attack", Rodrigo Frieszione, Wissman, Mexico
32. "Big and Small", Alex Sher, USA
Three hours had to chase a whale shark, until she deigned to open her mouth wide.
33. "Anticipation", Marco Urso, Italy
Brown bears are mostly vegetarians. But they can not give up such an appetizing fish.
34. The Polar Pas, Elio Elvinger, Luxembourg
35. "Condor possessions", Klaus Tamm, Germany
36. "Night of the Turtles", Ingo Arndt, Germany
37. "Cat Attack", Stefano Untersiner, Italy
Stefano was awakened by loud bird screams. It turned out that the cat came too close to the kestrel's nest, and the brave mother had to rush to protect the offspring.
38. "Tea life", Catherine Bee, Italy
The most interesting thing about this photo is that its author is only 5 years old.
39. "Beautiful Life", Daniel Nelson, The Netherlands
40. "Ice Monster", Laurent Ballest, France
If you had no idea what the underwater part of the iceberg looks like, here it is.
41. "Black Kites, Red Sunset", Dhie Shah, India
42. "Whale View", Wade Hughes, Australia
43. Medusa Jockey, Anthony Berberian, France
44. "Migration of wild boars", Mark Albiac, Spain
The photographer knew that the animals regularly move to the other side of the road. And as you can see, they do it according to all the rules of the road.
45. "Crowd of Hippos", Mark Keil, Britain
Crocodiles can sometimes "get lost" among hippopotamuses, to cool a little in the heat.
46. "Refugees of palm forests", Aaron Gekoski, England / USA
Felling of oil-bearing palms is a big problem in Asia. In the forests there are many families of elephants. Extermination of palm trees leads to the destruction of the species. The photographer has witnessed a heartbreaking spectacle. I wonder where this family will find a new home?
47. "Killer tactics", George Carbus, Czech Republic / Ireland
A second ago the killer whale was completely calm.
48. Cactus Saguaro, Jack Dykinga, USA
49. "Colors of Autumn", Hugo Fuerts Sanz, Spain
50. "Overnight on a Tire", Jaime Culebras, Spain
Jaime was looking for snakes, and discovered this camouflaged kid. The next night the bird returned to this place on the tire.