{"id":314199,"date":"2026-02-24T05:35:13","date_gmt":"2026-02-24T05:35:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/314199\/"},"modified":"2026-02-24T05:35:13","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T05:35:13","slug":"a-rare-white-whale-sighting-tops-the-2026-world-nature-photography-awards-colossal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/314199\/","title":{"rendered":"A Rare White Whale Sighting Tops the 2026 World Nature Photography Awards \u2014 Colossal"},"content":{"rendered":"

Among humpback whales, which can grow upwards of 60 feet long<\/a> and weigh up to 40 tons, instances of albinism are exceedingly rare. But when these otherworldly all-white mammals appear\u2014such as the beloved Migaloo<\/a> that was first spotted in 1991 off Australia\u2019s east coast\u2014they inspire wonder.<\/p>\n

Marine photographer Jono Allen<\/a> captured a unique shot of a baby white humpback being nudged by its mother, taking the top prize in the 2026 World Nature Photography Awards<\/a> (WNPA), in addition to winning the Underwater category.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>\u00a9 Miki Spitzer, \u201cThe eye of the dragon.\u201d Gold in the Planet Earth\u2019s Landscapes and Environments category<\/p>\n

The seventh edition of WNPA continues to highlight the diversity, beauty, and inherent vulnerability of our planet\u2019s wildlife and ecosystems. From Mary Schrader<\/a>\u2019s tender portrait of a gorilla observing a butterfly to Miki Spitzer<\/a>\u2019s enigmatic drone photo of a mineral pool that looks like the close-up of a dragon\u2019s eye, all of the winning photos emphasize curiosity and awe.<\/p>\n

The contest is now accepting entries for its 2027 edition. See the winners\u2019 gallery and learn more on WNPA\u2019s website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>\u00a9 Mary Schrader, \u201cShared wonder.\u201d Gold in the Animal Portraits category<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>\u00a9 Dewald Tromp, \u201cStoicism in a sandstorm.\u201d Gold in the Behavior \u2013 Reptiles category<\/p>\n

\"Wood<\/a>\u00a9 Hemin Patel, \u201cHome building.\u201d Bronze in the Behavior \u2013 Birds category<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>\u00a9 Charlie Wemyss, \u201cDunn Splash.\u201d Gold in the Animals in Their Habitat category<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>\u00a9 Deena Sveinsson, \u201cThe wildlife photographer.\u201d Gold in the People and Nature category<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>\u00a9 Harry Skeggs, \u201cBetween the cracks.\u201d Bronze in the Animals in Their Habitat category<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>\u00a9 Eduardo Salvador Cabrera, \u201cThe nectar drop.\u201d Bronze in the Behavior \u2013 Invertebrates category<\/p>\n

\"An<\/a>\u00a9 Stuart Chape, \u201cGlacial blue.\u201d Silver in the Planet Earth\u2019s Landscapes and Environments category<\/p>\n

\"An<\/a>\u00a9 Aimee Jan \u201cGreen sea turtle surrounded by glass fish.\u201d Bronze in the Underwater category<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>\u00a9 Michael Stavrakakis, \u201cBear hug.\u201d Silver in the Behavior \u2013 Mammals category<\/p>\n

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