{"id":663377,"date":"2026-10-23T19:38:10","date_gmt":"2026-10-23T19:38:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/663377\/"},"modified":"2026-10-23T19:38:10","modified_gmt":"2026-10-23T19:38:10","slug":"for-13-years-this-photographer-has-captured-hibernating-bats-in-protected-restricted-access-mine-tunnels-in-hungary-now-hes-won-one-of-europes-most-respected-photo-competitions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/663377\/","title":{"rendered":"For 13 years, this photographer has captured hibernating bats in protected, restricted-access mine tunnels in Hungary \u2013 now he’s won one of Europe’s most respected photo competitions"},"content":{"rendered":"

Poty\u00f3<\/a> has captured hibernating bats in Hungary’s B\u00f6rzs\u00f6ny Mountains, taking his camera to protected and mine tunnels that have restricted access. “This image speaks to a larger truth about the natural world: much of life exists beyond our immediate awareness, in places we seldom visit and among organisms we rarely notice,” says Tom Gilks on behalf of the jury.<\/p>\n

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Poty\u00f3 is not only a nature photographer but a scientist and environmental expert. He has won many prestigious international awards, including Hungary’s Nature Photographer of the Year, the Grand Prix of Hungarian Nature Photography, the UK’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year, and HIPA, the international photography competition from Dubai.<\/p>\n

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‘Hidden Worlds’ \u2013 GDT European Wildlife Photographer of the Year<\/p>\n

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Poty\u00f3 captured the award-winning image with the Nikon D7200 which launched in 2015 (Image credit: Nikon)<\/p>\n

Tech info
Gear: Nikon D7200<\/a> + Tamron<\/a> AF 60mm f\/2 Di II Macro
Exposure: 41secs, f\/25, ISO 320<\/p>\n

The story behind the still
Poty\u00f3 explains: “A key characteristic of the lesser horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus hipposideros) is that, during hibernating it occasionally wakes and leaves its roost to hunt flying insects.<\/p>\n

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“In doing so, the bat leaves behind droppings that gradually accumulate into a continuous dark layer.<\/p>\n

“In the beam of a torch, a whitish coating can be seen on the guano – a small pin mould thriving in this unusual habitat. <\/p>\n

“Using a macro lens, I captured the mould in the foreground with the hibernating bats visible in the background.<\/p>\n

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“The photograph, a long exposure incorporating a focus shift, was taken during a controlled bat count and without disturbing the animals.”<\/p>\n

Discover all winning images on the GDT European Wildlife Photographer of the Year website.<\/a><\/p>\n

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