For over 60 years, London’s Natural History Museum has put out an annual call to photographers across the globe to submit wildlife images that capture the beauty and complexity of nature.
The winners of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition — which awards prizes in nearly two dozen categories — are then invited to showcase their work in a public exhibition at the museum. Judges selected the 2026 honorees out of a record 65,403 entries from young people and adults in 121 countries and territories.
“This year’s winning photographs demonstrate the extraordinary power of wildlife photography to help us see nature differently,” museum Director Doug Gurr said in a Tuesday press release provided to Nice News, adding: “Together they remind us that every species plays a role in the complex web of life, and why understanding and protecting the natural world has never been more important.”
Scroll to see some of our favorite winning photos from this year’s contest, from a shot of an urban-adapted coyote in San Francisco to a portrait of a scorpion burrowing in India.
“Flight of the Bumblebee” by Amelie Davis | 10 Years and Under
“Amelie Davis (U.K.) highlights a common carder bee suspended in mid-air as it flies in to land and feast on a flower in southern England.”
“Scenes from the Swamp” by Isak Pretorius | Behavior: Birds
“Isak Pretorius (South Africa) chances across two elusive shoebill storks among wetland vegetation.”
“A Watchful Eye” by Aaron Sanders | Animal Portraits
“Aaron Sanders (U.K.) glimpses a common octopus behind a curtain of kelp in the waters off southwest England.”
“Labour of Love” by Oscar Whitfield | 11-14 Years
“Oscar Whitfield (Zimbabwe/U.K.) notices the arduous exertion of this dung beetle pushing its precious cargo.”
“Protective Pose” by Anton Sorokin | Behavior: Amphibians and Reptiles
“Anton Sorokin (U.S.) finds a California newt laying its eggs as it clasps vegetation that already holds another newt’s egg clutch.”
“Shifting Sand” by Sitaram Raul | Behavior: Invertebrates
“Sitaram Raul (India) encounters a scorpion burrowing into one of the shifting dunes of the Thar Desert.”
“Birdsong Painted in Light” by Konrad Gräeter | 15-17 Years
“Konrad Gräeter (Germany) highlights a male blackbird singing in a vineyard early one April morning.”
“Shedding Light” by Agorastos Papatsanis | Plants and Fungi
“Agorastos Papatsanis (Greece) uses ultraviolet light to reveal the glowing yellow stems of beautiful bonnet mushrooms growing from a decaying log.”
“On the Outskirts” by Loren Elliott | Photojournalist Story Award
“Loren Elliott (U.S.) opens a window into the lives of the often-misunderstood coyotes living in the environs of San Francisco on the West Coast of the United States.”
“Escape Artistry” by Michał Michalski | Natural Artistry
“Michał Michalski (Poland) uses a slow shutter speed to create the illusion of trees still swathed in autumn foliage.”
“Making Morays” by Tony Wu | Under Water
“Tony Wu (U.S./Japan) provides a first-time glimpse into the mating ritual of Abbott’s moray eels.”
“The Meeting Place” by James Lewin | Animals in their Environment
“James Lewin (U.K.) watches a young bull elephant spray a group of zebra as they congregate in the Kenyan Chyulu Hills.”
Wildlife Photographer of the Year is developed and produced by the Natural History Museum, London. Click here to see all the winning images.
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