Here are some highlights from this year’s Veolia Environnement Wildlife Photographer of the year competition, check out these stunning images.
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| ‘Bubble-jetting emperors’ Paul Nicklen |
This fantastic underwater shot was taken when photographer Paul Nicklen submerged himself under the Antarctic ice into the Ross Sea, remaining motionless so as not to disturb the imminent arrival of the emperor penguins. The colony soon emerged from the depths of the ocean in order to catch food for their young, creating this beautiful image. In fact, it is believed that the emperor penguin can dive up to 875 feet to catch their dinner!
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| ‘Ice Matters’ Anna Henly |
The winner of ‘The World in Our Hands’ topic, Anna Henly, has captured an image which powerfully portrays the devastating effects of the anthropogenic influences on our natural environment. The use of the fisheye lens makes the polar bear appear insignificant and vulnerable, as it seemingly tiptoes across the broken ice in an attempt to find food. The polar bear’s distress is a result of rising sea temperatures, reducing the amount of time the bears have to hunt for food.
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| ‘Life in the border zone’ Vladimir Medvedev |
Vladimir
Medvedev was in Jasper National Park, Canada, when he spotted the silhouette of
a deer and quickly pulled over his car. He was hoping to ‘show how the natural
world often exists so close to us, yet is so often unseen.’ The shutter speed
was set low, hoping that the stag would stay still enough and the car
headlights would leave behind a long light trail.
See some more winners here.