Karine Aigner has won the top prize in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition for her dynamic photograph of cactus bees. The image shows a group of male bees scrambling to mate with a single female. Aigner’s use of a macro lens brings a new perspective to insect behavior, showcasing the intensity and movement at bee-level magnification.
Tony Wu took home the prize in the underwater category with his photograph of a male Leiaster leachi sea star releasing sperm into the sea. Wu captured the image in the dark waters near an active volcano in southern Japan. He aimed to highlight the beauty of animals that may not have natural charisma.
Daniel Núñez was the winner in the wetlands category. He used a drone to capture the extent of contamination in Lake Amatitlán, Guatemala, caused by waste from Guatemala City. The photo juxtaposes the lush rainforest with the green algal blooms that thrive in the presence of pollutants.
Junji Takasago won in the natural artistry category with his surreal image of Chilean flamingos seemingly floating amidst reflected clouds in Salar de Uyuni, the largest salt pan in the world. The photo showcases the harmony of nature in the shot, but also draws attention to the threat posed by lithium mining to the flamingos’ habitat in the area.
The Wildlife Photographer of the Year contest is organized by the Natural History Museum, London.
Insights
- Karine Aigner’s photograph highlights the competition and determination among male cactus bees to mate with a single female.
- Tony Wu’s underwater photograph captures the vitality of a Leiaster leachi sea star and showcases his aim to make less charismatic animals appear beautiful.
- Daniel Núñez’s drone image reveals the pollution and contamination in Lake Amatitlán, emphasizing the environmental impact of waste.
- Junji Takasago’s photo of Chilean flamingos and reflected clouds in Salar de Uyuni showcases the harmony of nature and raises awareness of the threat posed by lithium mining to their habitat.
