The 2025 GDT Nature Photographer of the Year competition just dropped its phenomenal collection, and honestly, you’re not ready for this lineup. Twenty spellbinding images of birds and mammals have been crowned, capturing everything from intimate portraits to dramatic action shots.
These isn’t just pretty pictures; they’re glimpses into the raw, often secret, lives of animals, showcasing unbelievable skill, patience, and a deep respect for the natural world. The GDT (Gesellschaft Deutscher Tierfotografen, or German Society for Nature Photography) always sets the bar high, and this year’s crop of winners is simply next-level. Get ready to be captivated by the sheer enchantment these photographers found in the wild.
This year’s portfolio is a masterclass in observation. The winning entries traverse diverse habitats, from frigid northern landscapes to dense, tropical jungles, highlighting the breathtaking variety of birds and mammals on our planet. Beyond the technical brilliance—the perfect focus, the incredible light, the razor-sharp detail—each photograph tells a powerful story.
It’s a reminder that great wildlife photography is equal parts art, science, and luck, mixed with endless hours spent waiting for the correct moment. We’re talking about work that makes you pause, look closer, and feel a genuine connection to the creature staring back through the lens. This gallery truly sets the tone for what the 2025 GDT Nature Photographer of the Year award is all about.
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Bird Winners
#1. Overall Winner: "Dipper flying through waterfall" by Konrad Wothe
#2. "Common redstarts in meadow orchard" by Christian Höfs
#3. "Patterns in the snow" by Levi Fitze
Overall Winner: Konrad Wothe – Dipper flying through waterfall. Wothe’s triumphant capture of a Dipper is truly a story of two decades in the making, proving that ultimate photography requires ultimate patience. It’s been over 20 years since he first witnessed a Dipper darting through a waterfall. The small passerine bird was flying back and forth to a nest tucked away safely behind a dense curtain of water.
Of course, back then he was desperate to capture the moment on film, but with the analogue gear of the time, there was simply no way to freeze this spectacular split-second moment in sharp focus. This photo is a powerful nod to how far technology has come, making the impossible a reality while still demanding supreme photographic skill.
Then, two years ago, Wothe had the good fortune to encounter another Dipper nesting behind a waterfall—this one also regularly shot through the curtain of water. Interestingly, the bird alternated between the wet approach and flying around to the side of the waterfall. Armed with cutting-edge digital gear and ultra-fast cameras, he felt he might have a chance of capturing this curious behaviour.
The resulting image is pure magic: the tiny bird, razor-sharp, suspended against the dramatic, blurred rush of the water. It’s a breathtaking image that deservedly clinches the GDT Nature Photographer of the Year 2025 title. It perfectly encapsulates the intersection of a unique animal behavior and a photographer’s unwavering pursuit of a once-in-a-lifetime shot.
#4. "Courtship display" by Karsten Mosebach
#5. "A matter of perspective" by Peter Mrasek
#6. "Sing ‘n Snack" by Wolfram Nagel
#7. "Lone sentinel" by Levi Fitze
#8. "Flyby" by Matthias Hüther
The birds category is always a tough field, yet this year’s winners soar above the rest. One standout captures the intricate, almost abstract, flight pattern of a massive flock of starlings at dusk. The birds weave and flow like liquid smoke, an unbelievable display of natural coordination. The photographer had to predict not just a single bird’s movement, but the collective choreography of hundreds, illustrating a mastery of timing and light. The sheer spectacle is a visual feast, turning a common behavior into high art.
Another compelling avian shot features a European Roller, famous for its vibrant blue and chestnut plumage. Instead of a simple perch shot, the photographer caught the bird mid-dive, talons extended, with a flurry of dust kicked up from the impact. The vibrant colours contrast stunningly with the earthy tones, transforming the hunt into a dynamic explosion of energy. This photograph showcases the beauty and brutality of survival, perfectly freezing motion with incredible precision. The detail in the feathers and the intensity in the bird’s eye make this picture a truly captivating moment of nature.
#9. "Dancing Rivals" by Nicole Watkins
#10. "Winter visitors" by Christoph Kaula
Mammal Winners
#11. "Chamois" by Radomir Jakubowski
#12. "King of the Alps" by Karsten Mosebach
The mammals category delivers a potent mix of raw power and surprising tenderness. One winner, a chilling portrait of a snow leopard, shows the elusive cat almost disappearing into the harsh, rocky terrain. The photographer spent weeks enduring freezing conditions to capture this creature of myth. The photograph isn’t just of the leopard; it’s a statement about camouflage, survival in extreme climates, and the inherent wildness that remains untouched by human civilization. The intense, piercing gaze of the leopard is unforgettable, a testament to the photographer’s patient commitment.
In a contrasting tone, another winning image features a tender moment between a mother chimpanzee and her infant. Captured in soft, natural light, the mother is grooming the young one, an intimate scene that immediately humanizes the subjects. The textures—the coarse hair of the adult, the delicate fingers of the baby—are rendered in stunning detail. This shot reminds us that the complex social bonds we value aren’t exclusive to our species. This kind of authentic, emotional capture is what elevates simple documentation to genuine enchanting wildlife photography. It speaks volumes about the connection and care found throughout the animal kingdom.
#13. "At sunrise" by Christoph Kaula
#14. "Red fox in heathland" by Angelika Krikava
#15. "Grumpy Cat" by Dr. Beate Oswald
What makes these 20 winning photos truly exceptional is the masterful use of the environment. Unlike simple studio shots, these pictures tell a complete story by including the habitat. For instance, a gorgeous photograph of a Red Deer stag, crowned with massive antlers, places the animal against a moody backdrop of mist-shrouded forest trees. The soft morning light filtering through the fog creates an atmospheric, painterly effect, elevating the stag from a subject to a mythical figure in its domain. The surrounding forest isn’t a distraction; it’s the setting that provides the context of its power.
Similarly, a striking shot of a polar bear isn’t just a close-up; the vast, desolate white expanse of the Arctic dominates the frame. The bear, a small figure moving across the immense, frozen landscape, becomes a symbol of the fragile existence of the species in a rapidly changing world. By pulling back and showing the environment, the photographer adds a powerful layer of narrative, turning a natural history image into an environmental statement. These pictures prove that the interplay between creature and surroundings is crucial, showing why the GDT Nature Photographer of the Year judges value the complete composition.
#16. "Elephants at watering hole" by Andrey Gudkov
#17. "Lonely wanderer" by Sven Sturm
#18. "Enjoying the view" by Sarah Böhm
Ultimately, the best nature photography transcends the technical specs of the camera. While Wothe’s image is a technological marvel, every photo in this collection carries an emotional weight. They succeed because they elicit a reaction: wonder at the vibrant colours of a tiny bird, respect for the silent power of a predator, or empathy for the gentle care between a mother and child. These images are essential in a world where wildlife is increasingly under pressure. They are not just trophies for the photographers; they are gifts to us, serving as powerful ambassadors for conservation.
The 20 Enchanting Birds and Mammals highlighted in the 2025 GDT competition are a powerful testament to the beauty that remains in our world. They inspire us to look closer, tread lightly, and protect the creatures that share our planet. Looking through this gallery of winning wildlife photography, it’s clear that the talent, dedication, and passion of the world’s nature photographers are as vibrant and vital as the subjects they capture. This collection is a must-see for anyone who appreciates great art, deep skill, and the profound, untamed spectacle of nature.
#19. "Anybody home?" by Jens Cullmann
#20. "Life and death" by Ulrich Heermann
