This year's competition received 22,851 pictures from 96 countries, all hoping to become the winner.
Nature Photographer of the Year is a contest that celebrates the beauty of nature photography, and helps support various conservation charities. Who won top spot? Photographer Paolo Della Rocca waited six hours in freezing temperatures to capture a riveting moment between two snow leopards and the resulting image (seen below) took top honors.
This is what the photographer said about his winning image: “In northern India lies a region called Spiti Valley, home to one of the most elusive wild animals on Earth - the snow leopard. Since childhood, this journey has been a dream of mine, and the snow leopard has always been my favorite wild animal. This year, during my search for this mysterious feline, I was lucky enough to encounter a pair of sub-adult siblings and to capture them at different moments in their lives. The most incredible day of this experience was February 1st. This image was anything but easy to obtain. I waited over six hours at the edge of a canyon as the two siblings rested in a cave. The cold - reaching -25 degrees and intensified by a snowstorm - seeped into my bones. When calm finally returned, the snow leopards began to move, chasing each other up the snowy slopes, playing in front of my astonished eyes. I remember thinking, ‘This isn’t happening; it can’t be real!’ And then, I captured this frame. Not even in my wildest dreams did I imagine photographing such a moment. I’m so glad and grateful that the jury of NPOTY 2024 appreciated this photograph!”
Here's a selection of OGN's favourite images - starting with another fabulous shot of siblings - that were commended by the judges, but if you would like to see them all, please click here
One of the judges on the competition said this of the photo above: "The tender scene where one fox’s tail wraps lovingly around the other, conveys a deep sense of affection and friendship. The photographer’s timing and composition are flawless, highlighting the contrast in their fur and the warmth of their bond. This portrait radiates hope and endearment, making it a standout in this category.”
See some more of OGN's photography collections
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