Sometimes, a single photograph can tell a story that words simply can’t. That’s exactly what Norwegian photographer Audun Rikardsen achieved with A Seal’s Nightmare, the breathtaking image that won Image of the Year at the OurNature Environmental Photography Award 2026.
Imagine a polar bear peering through a seal’s breathing hole in the Arctic ice, staring straight into a camera positioned beneath the surface. The moment is raw, intense, and almost surreal. Rikardsen spent years dreaming of capturing a polar bear’s hunting technique from a seal’s perspective. At 83°N, surrounded by dense drift ice, he finally made it happen.
After eight hours of waiting, a curious predator appeared, broke through the thin ice, and looked directly into his camera. The bear then settled down and slept for nine hours, leaving the photographer unable to retrieve his equipment until later.
Organized by the Vértes Kozma Foundation, the OurNature competition celebrates visual storytelling about nature, sustainability, and environmental challenges. The 2026 edition received more than 2,100 entries from 35 countries. With its extraordinary perspective and powerful glimpse into Arctic wildlife, Rikardsen’s winning photograph reminds us that nature’s most unforgettable moments often come from patience, persistence, and a little daring.
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#1. OurNature – Image of the Year: A Seal’s Nightmare by Audun Rikardsen, Norway
"A polar bear peers through a seal’s breathing hole in the ice, looking straight into the camera positioned below. For years, I had dreamed of photographing a polar bear’s hunting technique from a seal’s perspective. At 83°N, among the dense drift ice, I placed my camera beneath a seal’s breathing hole. After eight hours of waiting, a polar bear appeared, broke through the thin layer of ice covering the hole and looked directly into my camera. It then lay down and slept for nine hours, leaving me unable to retrieve the camera. When I finally saw the image, I knew I had captured the polar bear photograph I had dreamed of for years."
#2. Pure Nature, Water – 2nd Place: At the bottom of the stream by István Hogya, Hungary
"Amphipods move among the veins of a decaying leaf, while a mayfly larva appears in the small “window”. These tiny creatures play an important role in the stream’s ecosystem: they feed on organic debris while also providing food for larger animals, including fish and birds. A miniature world, barely visible to the naked eye, yet essential to life in the stream."
#3. Pure Nature, Land – 1st Place: Hidden In Plain Sight by Awais Ali Sheikh, Pakistan
"Two snow leopard cubs rest quietly among the rocks of the Himalayas. Perfectly camouflaged in their rugged habitat, they are almost invisible at first glance, their spotted coats blending seamlessly into the surrounding stone. Only after a few moments does the mountain reveal it’s secret. Ghalapan Village, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan."
#4. Pure Nature, Land – 2nd Place: Winter Canteen by Paweł Smolik, Poland
"Bullfinches move among dry grass stems in a snow-covered winter landscape. That day, the temperature was around –20°C. From the window of my car, I watched the small flock having breakfast, repeatedly shaking the dry plants to release their seeds before quickly devouring them. The small, colourful birds stood out beautifully against the muted tones of the snowy meadow. What captivated me most was the graphic, almost painterly quality of the scene. Podlachia, Poland"
#5. Pure Nature, Air – 1st Place: The Busy Feeder by Jan Pokluda, Czechia
"A great spotted woodpecker returns to feed its chick in an unusually low nesting cavity in the trunk of an old oak tree. The low position of the nest offered a rare perspective on the intimate moment between parent and chick. I carefully positioned my camera beneath the cavity and observed the birds before continuing. As their feeding behaviour remained unchanged, I used a remote trigger and photographed from a respectful distance. The entire session lasted only about ten minutes, allowing me to capture this natural behaviour with minimal disturbance. Hornosvratecká Highlands, Czech Republic"
#6. Pure Nature, Air – 2nd Place: Eye on the Prize by Vince Burton, United Kingdom
"A barn owl dives towards the camera, seen from the perspective of its prey. The image is part of my ongoing project photographing local barn owls at night. My aim was to capture the moment of attack from an unusual viewpoint — looking up at the approaching predator."
#7. Our Footprints – 1st Place: Dinner is Served! by Audun Rikardsen, Norway
"A humpback whale feeds beside a herring fishing vessel during the polar night, captured in a split image showing the scene both above and below the surface. Each winter, vast schools of Atlantic herring gather in the fjords of Northern Norway, attracting hundreds of humpback whales and orcas. The whales have learned that fishing vessels can provide an easy meal, allowing them to feed on concentrated herring without having to hunt. But this opportunity comes with serious risks: humpback whales can become entangled in fishing nets, causing injuries or drowning, while also damaging fishing equipment. Northern Norway"
#8. Our Footprints – 2nd Place: Midnight Whispers by Julián Fernandez Quilez, Spain
"Two common genets prowl at night, moving along the bars of a window in search of food. Behind them, an enormous Moon fills the background, creating an almost surreal setting for the nocturnal scene. The photograph is a single exposure, with no compositing or multiple exposures. The Moon’s unusual size and position are the result of perspective, distance and the optical effect of the lens. Hellín, Spain"
#9. Solutions – 1st Place: Cerro Dominador by Matjaz Krivic, Slovenia
"Aerial view of the Cerro Dominador solar power plant, its central tower surrounded by a vast field of mirrors reflecting sunlight towards it. The geometric pattern of the heliostats transforms the Atacama Desert into an extraordinary technological landscape. The 210 MW complex was the first project in South America to combine concentrated solar power (CSP) with photovoltaic technology, harnessing the intense solar radiation of one of the driest and sunniest regions on Earth. Atacama Desert, Chile"
#10. Solutions – 2nd Place: Blade Barrier by Alex Pansier, Netherlands
"The long exposure traces the full movement of the wind turbines’ rotating blades, revealing huge, saw-like circles that show the space repeatedly swept by them. In front of the turbines, a vast flock of starlings moves above the line of trees. The image makes visible one of the potential conflicts between renewable energy and birdlife. While the transition to green energy is essential, these enormous structures become part of the same airspace used by birds. Delft, the Netherlands, November 2025"
#11. Carpathian Basin – 1st Place: Moonlight by Imre Potyó, Hungary
"The flight paths of winter moth trace delicate lines through a moonlit forest during a single 108-second exposure. Surprisingly, these moths can be found in the cold, dark forest in late autumn and winter, sometimes even flying during light snowfall. I have been photographing winter moths since 2016, but had never encountered conditions quite like these. I set up my camera beneath a huge beech tree just as the Moon moved into the right position, illuminating the last reddish leaves from behind and creating a remarkable backdrop for the flying moths. Only one successful image was made. The following night the Moon rose later, temperatures dropped, clouds arrived, and within days the last leaves had fallen. Börzsöny, Hungary"
#12. Carpathian Basin – 2nd Place: Mountain Peak by Tímea Ambrus, Hungary
"At first glance, it resembles a snow-covered mountain peak, but the image actually shows the shoreline of a salt lake from above. It was captured on a scorching summer day, when temperatures exceeded 40°C. Hundreds of greylag geese gathered in the shallow water, their movements drawing delicate lines across the surface. I photographed the scene from an altitude of more than 260 metres using a 3× zoom, allowing the drone to remain at a safe distance without disturbing the birds. Miklapuszta, Hungary"
#13. Young Photographers – 1st Place: Among the Tall Reeds by Marina Gavrikova, Russian Federation
"A rock bunting flies through tall, dry reeds in the golden backlight of sunrise. In the background, the cold, deep blue tones of a snow-covered mountainside create a striking contrast with the warmly illuminated reeds and the bird’s feathers. Walking along the lake, I noticed a flock of rock buntings feeding among the reeds, constantly moving as they searched for seeds. Before the restless flock moved on, I managed to capture the brief moment when one bird flew through the glowing reeds. Dagestan, Russia"
#14. Young Photographers – 2nd Place: Watching by Marina Gavrikova, Russian Federation
"An ant clings to a fern leaf, pausing for a moment in an unusual pose. I was watching the activity around an anthill when I noticed it on the fern directly in front of me. It remained motionless for a few seconds before moving down the stem. Just before disappearing, it paused briefly in this peculiar position — the moment captured in the photograph. Moscow Region, Russia"
#15. Stories or Portfolio – 1st Place: Saving Orangutans by Alain Schroeder, Belgium
"Sumatran orangutans are under severe threat from the continuing loss and fragmentation of their rainforest habitat. The expansion of palm oil and rubber plantations, logging, road construction, mining and hunting are forcing increasing numbers of orangutans out of their natural environment. The Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Programme (SOCP) cares for, rehabilitates and prepares rescued, injured and formerly captive orangutans for a return to the wild. This series documents daily life at its clinic and quarantine centre, where the ultimate goal is to reintroduce orangutans and establish viable populations in protected forests."
#16. Stories or Portfolio – 2nd Place: Perceptions on climate by Márton Kállai, Hungary
"Climate change is a much-discussed topic of our time, which affects all areas of life. Due to its importance, many people discuss the phenomenon with a variety of approaches, often interpreting it as a social construction, where values are also given space beyond the facts. I wanted to find out where the information that forms the basis of our knowledge comes from. I followed biologists, dendrologists, and ecologists whose work is closely related to learning about climate change. The findings they make strive for general validity and raise the responsibility of the interpreter in creating explanations. My series is a tribute to the sacrificial and complex intellectual work done to get to know the environment."
#17. Pure Nature, Water – Shortlist: Warrior’s rest by Javier Lafuente, Spain
"An aerial view of a polar bear resting in its natural habitat. It’s body bears the scars of previous fights. I used a drone equipped with low-noise propellers and kept a safe distance, allowing the bear to remain undisturbed while I composed the shot. Svalbard, Norway"
#18. Pure Nature, Water – Shortlist: David and Goliath by Vince Burton, United Kingdom
"Two grey herons fish at night in the pouring rain. One bird stood very close to the hide, its dark silhouette framing the second heron further in the distance. Illuminated by artificial light, the rain and the difference in scale transform an ordinary fishing scene into an almost theatrical encounter."
#19. Pure Nature, Water – Shortlist: River Hunters by Marcio Esteves Cabral, Brazil
"A rare moment in crystal-clear water: an anhinga and a green anaconda swim in opposite directions, both on the hunt. With its neck outstretched, the bird pursues its prey while the giant snake crosses the riverbed. A unique encounter capturing two predators in a single frame. Rio da Prata, Jardim, Brazil"
#20. Pure Nature, Land – Shortlist: The Guardian of Silence by Tibor Litauszki, Hungary
"A tawny owl rests in the hollow of an old oak tree in the cold winter forest. The image required careful planning: to achieve this unusual, close perspective, I positioned a GoPro action camera near the tree. The unconventional viewpoint offers a quiet, intimate glimpse into the owl’s hidden world."
#21. Pure Nature, Land – Shortlist: Waiting for Mother by Turgay Uzer, United States of America
"Two Amur tiger cubs wait for their mother to return. The Amur tiger is the world’s largest living cat, and with only a small population remaining in the wild, every new generation is vital to the species’ future. My camera trap captured these two healthy cubs in a rare and intimate moment — a hopeful sign for the survival of this remarkable species."
#22. Pure Nature, Land – Shortlist: The Gathering Storm by Turgay Uzer, United States of America
"A lioness stands on a rocky outcrop beneath gathering storm clouds, surveying the vast Serengeti plains. In this largely flat landscape, the scattered rocks provide valuable vantage points for predators, allowing them to scan the horizon and locate the great herds of wildebeest. Serengeti, Tanzania"
#23. Pure Nature, Land – Shortlist: Autumn Forest by Hanneke Van Camp, Belgium
"Autumn colours emerge through a sea of low clouds during an early morning temperature inversion. From above, the forest becomes a pattern of colour and texture, while the landscape below remains hidden beneath the clouds. Northern Sweden"
#24. Pure Nature, Air – Shortlist: Forest Frame by Alex Pansier, Netherlands
"The small, dark silhouette of a rook flies across an opening in the forest canopy. Photographed looking upwards from the forest floor in Friesland, the tall trees and dense foliage create a natural frame around the bright sky. The wide perspective makes the bird easy to overlook, while the surrounding canopy becomes the dominant element of the composition. Friesland, the Netherlands"
#25. Pure Nature, Air – Shortlist: The Brightest Bird by Alex Pansier, Netherlands
"Hundreds of northern gannets cover a dark cliff face in the Shetland Islands, their pale bodies forming a scattered pattern across the rock. Above the colony, a single bird flies through a narrow beam of light. Its glowing wings stand out sharply against the blue-black background, setting it apart for a brief moment from the hundreds of birds below. Shetland Islands, Scotland"
#26. Pure Nature, Air – Shortlist: The Attack by Damian Kwasek, Poland
"A white-tailed eagle attacks a red fox in a rare encounter in the wild. With wings spread and talons extended, the eagle swoops down as the fox prepares to defend itself. The image was captured in a completely natural situation, without bait or any other intervention, freezing a tense moment between two predators."
#27. Pure Nature, Air – Shortlist: The Decisive Moment by Turgay Uzer, United States of America
"A cormorant is about to catch a large spiny catfish it has tossed into the air. To swallow the fish safely, it must enter the bird’s throat headfirst and lengthwise. The cormorant had been tossing and repositioning its catch for more than an hour, trying to get it into exactly the right position. I captured the decisive moment from a boat on one of the side branches of the Rio Cuiabá on July 24, 2022. Pantanal, Brazil"
#28. Our Footprints – Shortlist: Pipe of Pollution by Julián Fernandez Quilez, Spain
"A common moorhen stands in murky water in front of a drain filled with waste. Photographed from inside the pipe using a wide-angle lens and remote trigger, the image places human waste and wildlife within the same perspective. Rubbish and polluted water have become part of this animal’s everyday environment. The image reveals both nature’s ability to adapt and the visible impact of human activity on its habitat. Hellín, Spain"
#29. Our Footprints – Shortlist: Please Help Me! by Audun Rikardsen, Norway
"A humpback whale struggles in the darkness of the polar night, entangled in a drifting sea anchor from a fishing vessel’s herring net. Unable to free itself, the desperate whale first approached my boat and then the nearest fishing vessel, almost as if asking for help. None of us had the equipment needed to release it, so I contacted the Norwegian fisheries patrol. They arrived with the necessary gear, and after a dramatic rescue operation, we finally managed to free the whale. Entanglement in fishing gear is a serious problem for whales worldwide, often resulting in severe injuries or drowning. This whale was one of the lucky ones. Northern Norway"
#30. Young Photographers – Shortlist: On the Ridge by Igor Bodnar, Poland
"Five young red deer stags stand together on a ridge in the early morning light. Their figures outlined against the elevated landscape create a simple, almost graphic composition within the quiet surroundings. The photograph was taken during an early morning wildlife observation session while watching deer in the meadows surrounding the Białowieża Forest. Białowieża Forest, Poland"
#31. Young Photographers – Shortlist: I Can See a Lot from Up Here by Marina Gavrikova, Russian Federation
"A tree frog climbs among the branches before pausing at a higher vantage point to survey its surroundings. Perhaps it is listening to the call of another tree frog from a nearby tree. The image was taken in the remarkable liana forest of the Samur River Delta. Fed by river branches and spring-fed streams, its wetlands, shallow lakes and lagoons support lush vegetation and an exceptionally rich diversity of wildlife. Samur River Delta, Dagestan, Russia"
#32. Young Photographers – Shortlist: Flying Alone by Marina Gavrikova, Russian Federation
"A barn swallow flies alone above the reeds. The small figure of the bird and the repeating vertical lines of the reed bed transform the landscape into a simple, graphic composition. The image was taken at Lake Papas near the Caspian Sea, where dunes, tamarisk thickets, reed beds and open water meet. Dagestan, Russia"
#33. Carpathian Basin – Shortlist: Autumn Patterns by László Tóth, Hungary
"Colourful fallen leaves cover the forest floor, while the trunks and lines of bare branches create lightning-like silhouettes among them. Seen from above, the familiar woodland landscape transforms into an almost abstract pattern. For me, it is an endlessly fascinating view that can only truly be discovered from the air."
#34. Carpathian Basin – Shortlist: Sun Worshippers by László Tóth, Hungary
"The low light of the rising Sun sweeps across the rolling landscape, illuminating the blossoming trees of spring. Although the morning air is still freezing, within minutes the first rays of sunlight fill the landscape with warmth."
#35. Carpathian Basin – Shortlist: Carp Family by Ferenc ifj. Lőrincz, Hungary
"A fully scaled carp and two mirror carp nestle side by side among submerged branches, as if gathering for a family portrait. Above their golden bodies and silent conversation, sunlight pierces the blue stillness of the water. I took this photograph underwater in the lake at Feketenyék (Čierna Voda) on 16 August 2026, using a Nikon Z8 with an 8–15 mm fisheye lens."
Frequently Asked Questions:
Who won Image of the Year at the OurNature Environmental Photography Award 2026?
Norwegian photographer Audun Rikardsen won Image of the Year at the OurNature Environmental Photography Award 2026 for his remarkable photograph, A Seal’s Nightmare, capturing a polar bear looking through a seal’s breathing hole in Arctic ice.
What is the title of the winning polar bear photograph?
The winning photograph is titled A Seal’s Nightmare. It shows a polar bear peering through a seal’s breathing hole, looking directly into a camera positioned beneath the ice to capture the scene from the seal’s perspective.
How did Audun Rikardsen capture the photograph?
Rikardsen placed his camera beneath a seal’s breathing hole at 83°N in the Arctic. After waiting eight hours, he captured a polar bear breaking through the thin ice and staring directly into his camera.
What is the OurNature Environmental Photography Award?
The OurNature Environmental Photography Award is an international competition celebrating visual storytelling about nature, environmental challenges, and sustainability. It welcomes photographers and filmmakers of all experience levels and showcases selected works through exhibitions and international exposure.
How many entries did the OurNature Environmental Photography Award 2026 receive?
The OurNature Environmental Photography Award 2026 received more than 2,100 images from 35 countries. Following an international jury process, the competition announced its finalists, celebrating outstanding photographers and filmmakers documenting the beauty and challenges of the natural world.
