A category to celebrate and showcase the beauty of the natural world and thus the need to protect it. Images submitted can showcase wildlife and wild places from anywhere on earth, and depict exciting new perspectives on our complex ecosystems. It is through these images, that we can raise awareness and advocate for the conservation of our precious biodiversity! Images may be landscape or portrait orientated.

The Natural World – Winning Image:

Winner: Kendall Williams

‘Saving Jaws’

There was something both humbling and exhilarating about being so close to a great white shark in its natural environment. While this image echoes the drama of the classic Jaws poster, the moment felt far from frightening. Beyond their fearsome portrayal in popular culture, great white sharks play a vital role in maintaining healthy marine ecosystems.

Image location: Neptune Islands, South Australia, Australia
Camera: Sony A7IV with Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8

Highly Commended: Julian Terreros Martin

‘A Mother’s Watch’

This female Iberian lynx watches intently as her two kittens drink beside her in Spain. As she raises the next generation of one of the world’s most endangered cats, her watchful expression captures both the vulnerability and hope surrounding this remarkable species. As a Spanish photographer, this moment felt especially meaningful.

Image location: Spain
Camera: Canon EOS R3 with Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM

Finalist: Donald Chin

‘A Family Affair’

A beautiful glimpse into teamwork, protection and family life of a young Great Crested Grebe family sharing a tender moment. Mum shelters the young chicks safely on her back while Dad returns from hunting with a fresh catch. Hungry and impatient, the older chick rushes forward, stretching eagerly for the first feed.

Image location: Herdsman Lake, Western Australia, Australia
Camera: Sony Alpha 1 with Sony FE600mm F4.0 GM OSS

Finalist: John Peters

‘Night Watch’

This is a net-casting spider, known to have the largest eyes of any arachnid. These spiders are nocturnal hunters, equipped with eyes more sensitive to light than a barn owl! This one in particular had very recently molted, leaving behind an iris-like look in its posterior median eyes.

Image location: Preston, Queensland, Australia
Camera: Canon 90D with Laowa 25mm f/2.8 2.5-5x Ultra Macro (shot at 5x magnification, resulting in a 169x image focus stack)

Finalist: Sri Ganesh Bailupudi

‘At the Edge of Light’

As the sun descended, Pulicat Lake transformed into a glowing expanse of gold. From water level, a flock of Greater Flamingos stood silhouetted against the evening sky, their reflections shimmering through soft bokeh. The two central birds create a quiet harmony within the gathering, capturing a fleeting moment of light, landscape, and wildlife.

Image location: Pulicat Lake, Tamilnadu, India
Camera: Sony A7MIII with Sony 200-600mm