Here are the amazing winning photos for the Wildlife Photographer Of The Year. A captivating photo capturing a gold horseshoe crab won the Wildlife Photographer of the year competition, hosted by the Natural History Museum. Laurent Ballesta is a renowned French underwater photographer, marine biologist and captured this momentous scene in the Philippines. The photo shows a tri-spined horseshoe crab with a trio golden trevallies.
The ancient species is protected by its robust shell and has a lineage that dates back to 100 million years. However, habitat destruction and overfishing are posing a serious threat. Ballesta set out on a voyage to the protected waters near Pangatalan Island, the Philippines. He meticulously documented these majestic creatures. This prestigious competition award was a reward for his dedication and artistic ability. This is Ballesta’s second win as Photographer of the year, an extremely rare feat over the competition’s 59 years. It highlights his talent and dedication to capturing nature’s beauty.
The 60th edition of the world-famous photo contest will begin accepting entries on October 16, 2023. Competition rules will be updated and a special prize will be awarded. Details are available on Natural History Museum website. The deadline for entries is December 7, 2023.
#1 Wildlife Photographer of the Year Winner: “The ancient mariner” by Laurent Ballesta
The tri-spined horseshoe crab is a slow moving creature. Its golden protective carapace hides 12 appendages. A trio of golden trevallies is poised above the horseshoe Crab to dive down and grab any edible morsels that are blown up by it. Laurent Ballesta searched for horseshoe crabs in the protected waters around Pangatalan Island, Philippines. Laurent Ballesta is a marine biologist and photographer who has dedicated his career to exploring and documenting the wonders of the oceans. Ballesta has been involved in a number of expeditions that have included scientific challenges and diving challenges. The result is incredibly beautiful images. Tri-spined horseshoe crabs have survived more than 100,000,000 years, but are now threatened by habitat destruction and overfishing. They are also being targeted for their blood which is used to develop vaccines. In the protected waters around Pangatalan Island there is still hope for its future.
#2 Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year Winner: “Owls road house” by Carmel Bechler
Carmel Bechler found several barn owls living in an abandoned concrete structure near a busy highway. Carmel Bechler and his father returned to the same place where they had seen a barn-owl in the previous year. They used the car as a hiding place. He used the natural light to his advantage and long exposures to capture the light trail of the passing traffic. Israel has the highest density of barn owls in the world. Nesting boxes have been placed near agricultural fields as part of a national project to encourage owls nesting near farmland. This arrangement reduces pesticides used on farms because owls are known to hunt rodents which eat seeds and plants.
#3 Winner, Behaviour: Mammals – “Whales making waves” by Bertie Gregory
#4 Winner, Photojournalist Story Award – “The unprotected” by Karine Aigner
#5 Winner, Animals in their Environment – “Life on the edge” by Amit Eshel
#6 Winner, Wetlands – “The dead river” by Joan de la Malla
#7 Winner, 10 Years and Under – “The wall of wonder” by Vihaan Talya Vikas
#8 Winner, Rising Star Portfolio Award – “Alpine exposure” by Luca Melcarne
#9 Winner, 11-14 Years – “Out of the blue” by Ekaterina Bee
#10 Winner, Photojournalism – “The tourism bulldozer” by Fernando Constantino Martínez Belmar
#11 Winner, Behaviour: Invertebrates – “Lights fantastic” by Sriram Murali
#12 Winner, Behaviour: Amphibians and Reptiles – “The tadpole banquet” by Juan Jesús Gonzalez Ahumada
#13 Winner, Oceans: The Bigger Picture – “Last gasp” by Lennart Verheuvel
#14 Winner, Underwater – “Hippo nursery” by Mike Korostelev
#15 Winner, Behaviour: Birds – “Silence for the snake show” by Hadrien Lalagüe
#16 Winner, Urban Wildlife – “Birds of the midnight sun” by Knut-Sverre Horn
#17 Winner, Plants and Fungi – “Last breath of autumn” by Agorastos Papatsanis
#18 Winner, Animal Portraits – “Face of the forest” by Vishnu Gopal
#19 Winner, Natural Artistry – “The art of courtship” by Rachel Bigsby
#20 Highly Commended, Animal Portraits – “Snow bison” by Max Waugh
