The annual Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition is a highly anticipated event for nature lovers and photography enthusiasts alike. It provides a platform for photographers from all over the world to showcase their talent and capture some of the most incredible moments in nature.
The 2019 edition of the competition did not disappoint, with some truly remarkable animal drama being captured by photographers from around the world. However, one photo stood out from the rest and was awarded the top prize – The Moment, captured by Chinese photographer Yongqing Bao.
The Moment is a stunning image that captures a curious scene of a Tibetan fox seemingly about to pounce on a startled marmot. The photo is remarkable for the almost human-like expression on the marmot’s face, conveying a sense of desperation and pleading for its life. The image freezes a fleeting moment in nature that is both beautiful and brutal, reminding us of the power of nature and the fragility of life.
The judges were equally captivated by the photo, with chair Roz Kidman Cox calling it “the perfect moment.” The postures of the two animals, frozen in time, convey an intensity that draws the viewer in and holds their attention.
Aside from The Moment, the competition awarded 19 other category winners and named 14-year-old Cruz Erdmann as the Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year for his stunning portrait of an iridescent big fin reef squid. The Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition, developed and produced by the Natural History Museum in London, draws tens of thousands of entries from around the world each year. The winning photos, along with 100 other selected images, are displayed at the museum and then tour various locations around the UK, US, and Australia.
Each year, the competition reminds us of the incredible diversity of life on our planet and the importance of preserving it for generations to come. The photos showcased in the competition capture the beauty and drama of the natural world, and The Moment serves as a poignant reminder that even in nature’s most stunning moments, there can be heartbreak.
In conclusion, the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition provides a platform for photographers to showcase their talent and capture the breathtaking moments in nature. The competition celebrates the beauty of the natural world and reminds us of the importance of preserving it. The Moment is a stunning image that captures a fleeting moment in nature that is both beautiful and heartbreaking, reminding us of the fragility of life.