{"id":604675,"date":"2026-08-26T01:14:13","date_gmt":"2026-08-26T01:14:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/604675\/"},"modified":"2026-08-26T01:14:13","modified_gmt":"2026-08-26T01:14:13","slug":"from-an-unlikely-friendship-to-a-leopards-clumsy-maneuver-the-worlds-leading-wildlife-photography-competition-reveals-a-sneak-peek-of-this-years-extraordinary-images","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/604675\/","title":{"rendered":"From an unlikely friendship to a leopard\u2019s clumsy maneuver: the world\u2019s leading wildlife photography competition reveals a sneak peek of this year’s extraordinary images"},"content":{"rendered":"

With a record-breaking number of submissions of over 65,000 images, the world’s leading wildlife photography competition reveals a sneak peek of the exceptional photographs captured from around the world.<\/p>\n

Now running in its 62nd year, the Wildlife Photographer of the Year<\/a>, developed and produced by the Natural History Museum<\/a>, London, gives us rare insights into the intertwined lives of a rhino and an oxpecker, a not-so-easy-to-find dragon katydid and more \u2013 all showcasing the remarkable inhabitants of our planet.<\/p>\n

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The category winners and the prestigious Grand Title and Young Grand Title awards will be announced on October 13. You can watch the ceremony live on YouTube<\/a>. The full set of highlighted images will be showcased in an exhibition<\/a> from October 16 at the Natural History Museum, with tickets available here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Latest Videos FromDigital Camera World<\/p>\n

Wildlife Photographer of the Year \u2013 Sneak Peak HighlightsBehaviour: Mammals<\/p>\n

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Location: Okavango Delta, Botswana (Image credit: Allegra Hutton \/ Wildlife Photographer of the Year)<\/p>\n

Highly Commended
Up a Tree without a Squirrel by Allegra Hutton<\/a>, USA<\/p>\n

Technical details
Sony A7R V<\/a> + Sony FE 200\u2013600mm f\/5.6\u20136.3 G OSS<\/a> at 467mm; 1\/640 at f\/11; ISO 4000<\/p>\n

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Allegra had already watched the leopard try \u2013 and fail \u2013 to stalk a rabbit. The squirrel also avoided the leopard\u2019s clumsy manoeuvres, eventually ascending too high for the leopard to follow. By then, the cat could barely hang on. An awkward backward retreat ensued.<\/p>\n

Oceans: The Bigger Picture<\/p>\n

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\"Underwater
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Location: D\u2019Arros Island, Seychelles (Image credit: Shane Gross \/ Wildlife Photographer of the Year)<\/p>\n

Highly Commended
Calm Amid the Storm by Shane Gross<\/a>, Canada<\/p>\n

The best camera deals, reviews, product advice, and unmissable photography news, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n

Technical details
Nikon D500<\/a> + Tokina AT-X107 Fisheye 10-17mm f\/2.5-4.5; 1\/200 at f\/16; ISO 500; Aquatica AD500 housing; 2x YS-250 Sea & Sea strobes<\/p>\n

Shane noticed this school of fish swimming near the shore every morning at sunrise. Aiming for a split shot, he flipped the camera upside down to aid buoyancy distribution and adjusted his position, slowly approaching the curious school.<\/p>\n

Behaviour: Amphibians and Reptiles\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Location: Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Botswana (Image credit: Jens Cullmann \/ Wildlife Photographer of the Year)<\/p>\n

Highly Commended
Split-Second Escape by Jens Cullmann,<\/a> Germany<\/p>\n

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Technical details
Canon EOS R3 <\/a>+ Canon RF 100\u2013300mm f\/2.8 L IS USM<\/a> + 2x teleconverter; 1\/4000 at f\/9 (-0.3 e\/v); ISO 2500<\/p>\n

Jens noticed tadpoles on a previous visit after heavy rains and returned the following month to find ponds and puddles full of young bullfrogs. He spent more than two weeks watching the young frogs \u2018eat everything that moved\u2019.<\/p>\n

Behaviour: Invertebrates\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\"Close-up
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Location: Wildsumaco Biological Station, Napo Province, Ecuador (Image credit: Gil Wizen \/ Wildlife Photographer of the Year)<\/p>\n

Highly Commended
Hidden Dragon by Gil Wizen<\/a>, Israel\/Canada<\/p>\n

Technical details
Canon EOS 7D Mark II <\/a>+ Canon EF 100mm f\/2.8L Macro IS USM<\/a>; 1\/100 at f\/11; ISO 400; Canon<\/a> Speedlite Macro Twin Lite flash + customised diffuser<\/p>\n

At only 15 millimetres (3\/5 of an inch) long, this little lichen dragon katydid was not easy to find. Luckily, Gil was able to spot it when it moved slightly, though distinguishing between the katydid and the lichen in the camera\u2019s viewfinder made it challenging to photograph.<\/p>\n

Behaviour: Birds<\/p>\n

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\"Close-up
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Location: Manyeleti Game Reserve, Mpumalanga, South Africa (Image credit: Ernest Porter \/ Wildlife Photographer of the Year)<\/p>\n

Highly Commended
Mutual Friends by Ernest Porter<\/a>, South Africa<\/p>\n

Technical details
Canon EOS R7<\/a> + Canon EF 400mm f\/2.8L IS II USM<\/a>; 1\/5000 at f\/2.8; ISO 800<\/p>\n

While searching for wildlife in the reserve, Ernest witnessed a group of white rhinos with red-billed oxpeckers feeding on the insects that infest their skin. He noticed one rhino with a subtle blue ring in his eye, which immediately became his unique muse.<\/p>\n

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Browse the best cameras for wildlife photography<\/a> and the best lenses for bird photography and wildlife.<\/a><\/p>\n

Looking for competitions to enter? Here are 10 global photo contests now open for entries from August 2026 to January 2027.<\/a><\/p>\n