From stunning animal portraits to vital conservation stories, these photographs capture the beauty and challenges of our natural world. Let’s explore the award-winning images from this year’s competition!

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A photograph of Bonobo holding a mongoose pup by Christian Ziegler

Photographers were encouraged to submit their top-notch photos in seven different categories: Animal Behavior, Conservation Focus, Wildscape & Animals in Their Habitat, Creative Nature Photography, Animal Portraits, Young Photographer, and Photographer of the Year – Portfolio. While the contest initially started in India, this year’s edition drew a higher number of entries from photographers worldwide.

Maasai Mara National Park, Kenya"Live life king-size, they say. So if you are the king of the jungle, what do you do after a hearty meal but roll over and relax? Never mind the flies all around, trying to break your siesta."

A photograph of a relaxed lion by Bharath Kumar V

Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya"The photographers were observing a pride of lions and saw them respond to the rain in their own way. While some of the cubs continued their play with renewed vigor, others tried to seek shelter close to their mothers. The mothers, in turn, sought refuge where they could in the open savannah. But this lioness stood out from her pride, as she stayed put in the rain."

A photograph of a lion in the rain by Preeti and Prashant Chacko

One of the founders of Nature “inFocus”, Rohit Varma, said that every year, they see pictures that show new things about our natural world and also highlight important global problems related to protecting nature.“The Nature inFocus Photography Awards has grown to become a meeting place for national and international photographers. We are thrilled to see the growth in the number of participants and the geographical locations. It truly has become an international platform for wildlife photographers!”

One of the founders of Nature “inFocus”, Rohit Varma, said that every year, they see pictures that show new things about our natural world and also highlight important global problems related to protecting nature.

“The Nature inFocus Photography Awards has grown to become a meeting place for national and international photographers. We are thrilled to see the growth in the number of participants and the geographical locations. It truly has become an international platform for wildlife photographers!”

Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan, India"If the essence of Ranthambore could be captured in one frame, this would be it. Only once in a blue moon does the landscape become this misty at Ranthambore. And when a tiger chooses the opportune moment to mark its presence, it almost feels too good to be true. The historical architecture of the landscape, its iconic species and the cerulean backdrop–the image has magic written all over it."

A photograph of a tiger at Ranthambore by Amit Vyas

Costa Rica"A pod of Spinner Dolphins dives back into the beautifully lit waters of the Pacific Ocean, creating this stunning scene of a cetacean avalanche. One of the dolphins can be seen gazing into the camera lens, adding a touch of curiosity and connection to the frame."

A Photograph of dolphins diving into water by Merche Llobera

Ladakh, India"A sub-adult Snow Leopard frolics in the snow as he curiously gazes into the camera trap. While the backdrop captures the enchanting beauty of the Himalayas, the snow in the foreground is a testament to the boundless energy of the young cat. Be warned! Once you catch that piercing gaze, it is hard to look away."

A photographs of a snow leopard relaxing in the snow by Morup Namgail

Baja California Sur, Mexico"A Marlin and a Sea Lion contest for a meal amidst a bait ball of sardines, showcasing the fierce competition that exists in the ocean."

A photograph of a marlin and a sea lion catching sardines by Merche Llobera

A photograph of an Amur leopard by Sergey Gorshkov

East Coast of Sri Lanka"An Olive Ridley Sea Turtle attempts to swim away from its confines, the remnants of a ghost net. Fortunately, the turtle was still healthy when the photographer found it, and he successfully set it free. But for many, help doesn’t come at all."

A photograph of a sea turtle swimming away from a net by Joshua Barton

A photograph of a brown booby plunge-diving to feed by Suliman Alatiqi

A photograph of an Atlantic goliath grouper among thousands of small fish by Tom Shlesinger

Ranthambhore National Park, Rajasthan, India"This stunning action shot captures a rarely-seen natural history moment, where the legendary Arrowhead of Ranthambhore fishes out an Indian Softshell Turtle from the lake for lunch. A tiger’s diet in the wild can be very varied as the felid can prey on pretty much everything on its turf, even a turtle, hence proved!"

A photograph of a tiger catching an Indian softshell turtle by Sankhesh Dedhia

“The streams of water from the sharp claws show a new facet of the bear, one that is not documented often. Among the largest bears in the world, the Brown Bears of Kamchatka are often seen in water, trying to catch their share of salmon. But rarely do you see this side of the animal.”

A photograph of a bear in the water by Sergey Gorshkov

Kaeng Krachan National Park, Phetchaburi, Thailand"A pair of bejeweled Tokay Geckos peer out from between the rafters of a gazebo. These geckos are named after the sound they produce–the word “gecko” itself comes from the Javanese name for this species. One of the largest species of geckos on the planet, they are quite shy and can camouflage their otherwise bright colors when they need to blend in."

A photograph of two geckos by Jomtup Charoenlapnumchai

Londolozi Game Reserve, South Africa"The pitter-patter of rain never looked so sharp, and amid the deluge, the furry outline of a hyena leaves one with more questions than answers."

A photograph of a hyena in the rain by Sergey Gorshkov

Phen Wildlife Sanctuary, Madhya Pradesh, India"Mimicry is the highest form of flattery, they say. But in the animal world, it is among the best defense mechanisms. Here, Line-forest Skimmers position themselves aptly on the perennial Phanera vahlii creeper to resemble an inflorescence. Notice how the dragonflies have raised their abdomens in unison? Fooling a predator never looked this intricate."

A black and white photograph of Line-forest Skimmers by Arkaprava Ghosh

Kannur, Kerala, India"Symbiotic relationships are plenty in the natural world! But none as sappy and sugary as the mutualistic relationship between ants and aphids. Aphids are tiny, sap-sucking insects that are serious plant pests. They secrete a sugar-rich liquid called honeydew, a favorite food of ants! So much so that the ants protect these insects from other predators and even shepherd them to the healthiest parts of the plant to maintain a steady stream of sweet honeydew!"

A photograph of an ant by Avinash PC

Kartik Swami Trek, Uttarakhand, India"A male Cheer Pheasant basks in the warm sunlight as dawn breaks over the mighty Himalayas. Alas, Cheer Pheasants actually don’t have much to cheer for! Habitat loss and hunting are the main threats to this pheasant species."

A photograph of a cheer pheasant with Himalayas in the background by Souvik Kundu

Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh, India"After a successful hunt, the Snow Leopard was feasting on its catch when a pack of feral dogs tried to steal its meal. The image captures the moment when the felid stepped towards one of the dogs during the standoff. Feral dogs have become a common sight in the Spiti Valley, where they often attack animals like Blue Sheep, Himalayan Ibex and Red Fox. But the fact that they are now also confronting apex predators like the Snow Leopards is alarming to say the least. Feral dogs reduce the prey base for Snow Leopards and can spread fatal diseases like canine distemper among wild animals."

A photograph of a snow leopard and a feral dog by Liton Paul

Hooghly, West Bengal, India"Rural areas in West Bengal are where you can still find hurricane lanterns in use during power outages. The sole source of light in the pitch dark attracts insects in large numbers along with other nocturnal denizens like this Common Palm Civet, looking for an easy dinner!"

A photograph of a civet next to an old lantern by Arijit Das

A photograph of Nubian ibexes jumping by Amit Eshel

Satpura National Park, Madhya Pradesh, India"In the dense forests of Satpura, a pair of Oriental Honey Buzzards raid a beehive. These raptors hunt for food in beehives and wasp nests but, unlike what their name suggests, they prefer bee and wasp larvae over actual honey."

A picture of two oriental honey buzzards by Pranav Mahendru

Northern British Columbia, Canada"When winter arrives in northern British Columbia, sometimes the snow is so deep the Wood Bison herds that inhabit the forest along the Alaska Highway tend to use the ploughed highway to move from one grazing area to another. The journey is difficult, and many bison succumb to the traffic. Records show that annually about 15 per cent of the population in the region dies as a result of these collisions. The aerial image is a befitting representation of how the threatened species manoeuvres these problematic terrains."

An areal photo of a wood bison herd blocking the road by Geoffrey Reynaud

Andaman & Nicobar Islands, India"The Andaman Day Gecko or the Green Emerald Gecko is a bright-colored gecko endemic to the Andaman Islands. The young photographer was on vacation when he spotted this shy reptile lurking inside a chandelier light."

A picture of a gecko by Vidyun Hebbar

Satkosia, Odisha, India"The atmospheric blue brushstrokes, the warm sunset glow on the orange bills of the Indian Skimmers and the bokeh on the water body; what’s not to love about this image?"

A photograph of two Indian Skimmers by Padmanava Santra

Matheran, Maharashtra, India"Like the spiders they are commonly confused with, Harvestmen too have eight legs–mostly long and thin in contrast to their bodies. They are living fossils, the original ‘Daddy Longlegs’, having remained unchanged for millions of years. On a rainy night, the young photographer spotted this Opilione sheltering in a crevice, raindrops glistening on its limbs."

A photograph of a Harvestman by Arnav Deshpande

Eastern Province, Sri Lanka"In this heartbreaking photograph, a herd of wild elephants forage amidst garbage brimming with plastics and other toxic materials. The haunting visual serves as an urgent call to address the devastating consequences of our waste disposal systems. Not only does it pollute the environment, it also impacts the animals that seek food and refuge amidst the trash."

An areal photograph of a herd of wild elephants in garbage by Lalith Ekanayake

Near Nagarahole National Park, Karnataka, India’Amidst a sea of onlookers, a kumki elephant plays mediator between the forest officials and the wild elephant that had made its way into the village. We can only try and imagine the stress these animals undergo in such volatile conflict scenarios."

A photograph two elephants fighting by Madhusudhana Sr

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Anamalai Tiger Reserve, Tamil Nadu, India"A rundown building inside the forest provided the perfect window into the world of fireflies. The glitter of the fireflies in action makes it look like the trees have been lit up for a special occasion."

A photograph of fireflies outside by Sriram Murali

A photograph of burnt trees in Australia by Jo Anne Mcarthur

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A photograph of a snow glacier by Hira Punjabi

Buriram, Thailand"Asian Openbill Storks migrate between South Asia and Southeast Asia and are often found in flocks, taking to the skies during the warmer part of the day and soaring on the thermals. In this beautifully composed image, the young photographer captures the elegance of these birds as they swirl around and fill the sky."

A photograph of a bunch of flying storks by Jomtup Charoenlapnumchai

Costa Rica"“Is there anything more beautiful than swimming in an ocean full of dolphins?” the photographer asks. Looking at this image, it is hard to think otherwise. Spinner Dolphins get their moniker from their ability to spin many times when they jump above water. Researchers believe that spinning is also a means to communicate with each other. They are usually found in schools that consist of hundreds of dolphins."

A photograph of an ocean full of dolphins by Merche Llobera

Kolkata, West Bengal"Reminiscent of a scene from a horror film, the suspense in the frame compels the viewer to focus on the tiny delicate digits of the gecko gripping the door with eerie precision. Millions of microscopic hairs under their feet create electromagnetic attraction with the surface, allowing the reptile to adhere to almost any material."

A photograph of gecko’s claws by Swaroop Singha Roy

Al Qudra Lake, Dubai"Two male francolins engage in a brutal fight, using their sharp claws and beaks to inflict damage on their opponent and impress the female. The battle may seem violent, but it is simply a part of the process that ensures the strongest progeny."

A photograph of two male francolins fighting by Naushad Ka

Dubai"Think Dubai and the first thing that comes to mind is architectural marvels that make the sky seem at arm’s reach. The tall buildings may be Dubai’s trademark visuals, but another world coexists alongside the dazzle, where wildlife thrives in the desert. The image juxtaposes these two worlds—the towering skyscrapers and the endless sands—a gentle reminder to look beyond the concrete."

A photograph of a desert with Dubai’s skyscrapers in the background by Dileep Ss

Austria"Here is a gentle reminder that photographing the natural world is not just about documenting the megafauna but also zooming in on the speck on a blade of grass to reveal the chiaroscuro of a mayfly."

A black and white photograph of a mayfly by Kai Kolodziej

A photograph of a flying Himalayan vulture by Adrita Dey

An areal photograph of crocodiles by Hiren Pagi

A photograph of a leopard catching mother and baby langurs by Afroj Sheikh

Manipur, India"Found in the Loktak Lake of Manipur, phumdis are floating islands that are made up of soil and organic matter and are home to the endangered Sangai Deer. The aerial shot shows artificial phumdis or Athapums built as enclosures for aquaculture. Natural phumdis interact with the soil on the lake bed when the water levels dip in the dry season and gain nutrients for their growth. But with the construction of dams, artificial phumdis float on the water all year long, leading to eutrophication within the water body. Additionally, the proliferation of invasive plant species like water hyacinths and the use of insecticides within these artificial phumdis greatly harm the lake ecosystem, causing a multitude of issues for its inhabitants."

An areal photograph of phumdis by Aakash Selvan

Tungnath, Uttarakhand, India"Here’s a quick quiz for you! How many Snow Partridges can you spot? Look closer and the signature red beak will help you spot at least one as the rest merge against the rocks. Snow Partridges are usually found in small flocks in alpine grasslands and hillsides. Their chestnut and grey barred coats help them to camouflage well against the mountainous rocks and flora."

A photograph of snow partridges by Navin Kumar

Cooch Behar, West Bengal, India"The bristles are the brightly-colored protective hairs of the Slug Moth larvae. The glitter-like effect is because of mushrooms releasing spores. When the photographer found the larvae positioned right next to the sporing mushrooms, he did not want to miss the opportunity to capture the dramatic frame, and dramatic it is!"

A photograph of a larvae positioned right next to the sporing mushrooms

A photograph of a tiger eating leopard by Karthik Mohan Iyer

Dharwad, Karnataka, India"This is not a black-and-white photograph. It’s simply an image of a Stick Mantis waiting in ambush. The foliage creates a black stripe-like vision against which the discernible outline of the mantis stands out."

A photograph of a Stick Mantis by Anirudh Kamakeri

Kornik, Poland"Showing off its stunning orange tail dipped in black, a male Bluethroat is a flash of color as it flies across the brown-colored field. The young photographer noticed more of these birds than usual this year and was able to capture this image just as the bird finished its courtship display."

A photograph of a flying male Bluethroat by Maksymilian Paczkowski

Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh, India"Sometimes all it takes is a lone Indian Robin perched on its regular haunt to create a picturesque frame. The tiny outline of the robin, with its signature elevated tail feathers, on the bouquet-like tree makes you think about the quotidian wildlife moments that we easily overlook."

A photograph of an Indian Robin on a tree by Arkaprava Ghosh

Kaeng Krachan National Park, Phetchaburi, Thailand"Winged termites or alates are alert to the rains, emerging from underground colonies soon after the first showers. They swarm around lights in what is called a nuptial flight, the first step in establishing a colony. In this ghostly frame, the swarm is captured in motion above a bouquet of Red Pagoda flowers."

A photograph of winged termites by Jomtup Charoenlapnumchai

Parque Nacional Natural Chingaza, Colombia"The Spectacled or Andean Bear’s diet is well-suited to digest the offerings of the rough terrain it calls home. Primarily herbivores, these bears feed on plants like the cactus, bamboo hearts, pine nuts and other fallen fruits. Here, a juvenile bear eats the Espeletia or Frailejones plant, which has thick trunks and hairy leaves."

A photograph of an Andean bear in a field by Sebastian Di Domenico

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