The Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition has today released a selection of Highly Commended winners in each of this year’s categories. Note that these are the winning images in this year’s competition, but some great work has been honoured here, and we heartily congratulate the photographers involved. Just getting this far is a major achievement! The overall winners of each category in this year’s , plus the ‘biggies’ Grand Title and Young Grand Title awards, will be announced on 8 October at a ceremony hosted by TV presenters and conservationists Chris Packham and Megan McCubbin.
This year’s competition attracted a record-breaking 59,228 entries from 117 countries and territories. Full details about the competition can be found . Winter is Jose’s favourite season for photography.
When he spotted this stoat jumping mid-air on the last day of his trip, he saw this performance as an ‘expression of exuberance’ as the small mammal hurled itself about in a fresh fall of snow. Scientists refer to this behaviour as dancing, although opinions are divided about what motivates it, from an attempt to confuse prey through to a parasitic infection. Stoats are usually active at night and prey on small mammals and birds.
: Athose, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France Nikon D500 + 500mm f4 lens; 1/6000 at f4; ISO 800 Georgina has been studying these bees for a few years and knew she had to keep her distance. Lying on the hot, rocky, sun-baked ground with sand blowing .