Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2016 finalists
With over 50,000 entries across 95 countries, the 52nd Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition has never looked better. The winners will be announced October 18.
'Splitting the catch' by Audun Rikardsen
In Arctic Norwegian waters, a male killer whale takes in the view and some easy dinner as he follows and then strikes at leftover fish from a nearby fishing boat. Often known for their size and ferocity, this species is rarely given the credit they're due for their intelligence.
'Golden relic' by Dhyey Shah
Umananda, a tiny man-made island in northeastern India, is home to the endangered golden langurs. Although often exclusively found high in the trees, this photographer managed to snap a rare shot of one at ground level.
'Blast furnace' by Alexandre Hec
Kilauea, one of the world's most active volcanoes, erupts in Hawaii on the cusp of the Pacific Ocean. It lets off a chorus of vibrant, bright colors against the jet-black backdrop of night. No animals in sight, but a process vitally connected to our planet's wildlife.
'The camouflaging fish' by Iago Leonardo
You might not believe it at first glance, but this picture shows two types of fish. A school of lookdown fish, believed to use specific platelets in their scales, appear almost invisible alongside their darker, gray companions in this beautiful underwater shot.
'Swarming under the stars' by Imre Potyo
On Hungary’s River Raba, this photographer successfully caught the annual swarming of mayflies as they emerge from their larvae cocoon just inches above the water - and then fly off in to the night sky.
'Thistle-plucker' by Isaac Aylward
In Bulgaria’s Rila Mountain, a common linnet pecks at a thistle flowerhead as it hunts for seeds, completely unaware of the complimenting colors between it and plant it rests on.
'Playing Pangolin' by Lance van de Vyver
A curious lion torments a Temminck’s ground pangolin in South Africa's Tswalu Kalahari Private Game Reserve. Despite the notable claws, the nocturnal pangolin's armor is almost impenetrable, and the animal would undoubtedly rather get back to its slumber.
'Nosy Neighbour' by Sam Hobson
Often heard but rarely seen, a local fox is finally caught on camera as it takes off on its usual lap around a neighborhood in suburban Bristol in search of a late-night feast.
'Crystal Precision' by Mario Cea
In an old, abandoned house in Salamanca, Spain, no less than 30 pipistrelle bats take off to catch a combined total of 90,000 insects each night. Completely blind, the bat uses its echolocation sonar to fly through a broken window.
'Collective Courtship' by Scott Portelli
In South Australia’s Upper Spencer Gulf, these beautiful giant cuttlefish congregate to mate. There, males as big as a meter long (three feet) fight for attention by changing the color, texture and pattern of their skin to attract the attention of a mate.
'Termite Tossing' by Willem Kruger
In the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park on the border of Botswana and South Africa, a southern yellow-billed hornbill enjoys a feast of crunchy termites. In this beautiful shot, the bird is seen flicking the insect in to the air before devouring it.