20 Incredible Winning Photos Of The Wildlife Photographer Of The Year 2023

Here are the incredible winning photos of the Wildlife Photographer Of The Year 2023. In a stunning victory, a captivating photograph capturing a golden horseshoe crab emerged triumphant among nearly 50,000 entries in the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition hosted by the Natural History Museum. Renowned French underwater photographer and marine biologist, Laurent Ballesta, skillfully captured this mesmerizing moment in the Philippines, showcasing the tri-spine horseshoe crab accompanied by a trio of golden trevallies.

This ancient species, safeguarded by its robust shell, holds a remarkable lineage dating back 100 million years but faces imminent threats due to habitat destruction and overfishing. Ballesta embarked on a journey to the protected waters off Pangatalan Island in the Philippines, meticulously documenting these majestic creatures. His dedication and artistry were duly rewarded with this coveted competition win. Notably, this victory marks Ballesta’s second Photographer of the Year title, a rare feat in the competition’s 59-year history, underscoring his exceptional talent and commitment to capturing the natural world’s beauty.

Entries for next year’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition, the 60th edition of the renowned photo contest, will open on October 16, 2023. The competition will feature a new special prize and some important rules changes. The full details are available on the Natural History Museum’s website. Entries close on December 7, 2023.

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#1 Wildlife Photographer of the Year Winner: “The ancient mariner” by Laurent Ballesta

A tri-spine horseshoe crab moves slowly over the mud. Its golden protective carapace hides 12 appendages. Above the horseshoe crab, a trio of juvenile golden trevallies are poised to dart down for edible morsels plowed up by its passage. Laurent Ballesta went looking for horseshoe crabs in the protected waters of Pangatalan Island in the Philippines. Marine biologist and photographer Laurent Ballesta has dedicated his life to exploring the oceans and revealing their wonder through art. He has led a series of major expeditions, all involving scientific mysteries and diving challenges, all resulting in unprecedented images. The tri-spine horseshoe crab has survived for more than 100 million years but now faces habitat destruction and overfishing for food and for its blood, used in the development of vaccines. But, in the protected waters off Pangatalan Island, there is hope for its survival.

#2 Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year Winner: “Owls road house” by Carmel Bechler

Carmel Bechler discovered several barn owls in an abandoned concrete building near a busy road. Returning to where he had spotted a barn owl the previous year, Carmel and his father used the family car as a hide. He made the most of the natural light and used long exposure times to capture the light trails of passing traffic. Israel has the densest barn owl population in the world. A national project has provided nesting boxes near agricultural fields, encouraging owls to nest near farmland. Because the owls hunt rodents that eat seeds and crops, this arrangement has reduced the use of pesticides on farms.