Stunning Shots from the Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Highlighting the best wildlife photography of 2026
1Polar Bear and Seal Encounter
Norwegian photographer Audun Rikardsen captured the moment a polar bear approached a seal’s breathing hole using a motion-sensor camera. At 4 a.m., a female bear peered down, searching for the seal. Rikardsen waited eight hours for the bear to leave before retrieving the camera. He described the moment as exhilarating, saying he screamed with joy upon seeing the images.
2Swifts' Migration Return to London
Jack Crockford photographed swifts returning to London after their annual migration from Africa. These birds spend almost their entire lives in the air, landing only to nest. Crockford struggled to capture the high-flying birds but managed to photograph a few lower ones. This image documents the migratory behavior of swifts in an urban setting.
3Eastern Japanese Toad's Urban Adventure
After rainfall, photographer Miyazawa encountered an Eastern Japanese toad making its way along a city street. Using a slow shutter speed, he captured the toad before it hopped back into the bushes. Typically found in forests and grasslands, this species has shown remarkable adaptability to urban environments, as documented in Miyazawa’s work.
4Orca and Calf's Heartbreaking Moment
Norwegian photographer Vegard Byrkjeland Aasen used a drone to capture an adult orca carrying its deceased calf through a fjord. The orca repeatedly let the calf sink before bringing it back to the surface, a behavior thought to be protective. A 2026 study suggests such behaviors may be more widespread among orcas than previously believed.
5Fer-de-Lance Viper and Mosquito
The Grammatico twins photographed a mosquito resting on the head of a Fer-de-Lance viper, a highly venomous snake responsible for more fatal bites in Central America than any other species. The viper’s camouflage allows it to blend into plantation habitats, often unnoticed by workers. The photographers described this as one of their most challenging focus stacks.
6Black Vulture and Yacaré Caiman
Andrew Parkinson photographed a black vulture perched over a dead yacaré caiman in Brazil’s Pantanal wetlands. After the vulture flew away, a jaguar emerged to claim the carcass. Parkinson noticed a clean, straight wound on the caiman’s head, possibly caused by a speeding boat. This image highlights the interactions between predators and scavengers in the wild.
7Sandstorm in the Namib Desert
Dewald Tromp was photographing a Namaqua chameleon in the Namib Desert when a sudden sandstorm reduced visibility and made breathing difficult. These chameleons are desert specialists, capable of obtaining moisture directly from the air. Tromp’s image captures the harsh conditions these creatures endure in one of the world’s most arid environments.
8Red-Billed Quelea Flock
Bence Máté photographed tens of thousands of red-billed queleas descending to drink at a small pond in Kenya’s Tsavo East National Park. The movement of so many wings created a rush of air felt from 30 meters away. Red-billed queleas can gather in flocks of up to two million, making them the most abundant wild bird species on Earth.
Original article: BBC News — Yaban Hayatı Fotoğrafçılığı Yarışması'ndan Etkileyici Kareler