This is already the 19th competition organized by the World Photography Organisation with the support of Sony, which is considered one of the most significant in the world of photography.
In 2023, over 430,000 works were submitted from more than 200 countries and regions.
The first place in the "Nature and Wildlife" category was awarded to photographer Klaus Hellmich.
Photo by Klaus Hellmich. Arctic fox in a snowstorm
The image features a blue Arctic fox taken on the Varanger Peninsula in Norway during a snowstorm.
Ten other remarkable works also made it to the competition's shortlist.
The photo captures a deer taken in Charlecote, Warwickshire, UK.
The stream brown frog, endemic to Japan, resides in the mountains until November, after which it moves to rivers for hibernation. Male bachelors, in search of mating opportunities, cling to anything that floats downstream, including yamame trout.
Creating this shot took the photographer over 40 hours and around 4,000 frames.
Weddell seals, living in one of the harshest environments on the planet, have a thick layer of fur and fat that serves as protection against the cold and a source of energy. These mammals rest on ice floes before diving into the icy waters of Antarctica.
The photograph captures a conflict between a vulture and a jackal in the mountains of Bulgaria.
The Torres del Paine region in Chile is known for its magnificent landscapes and is home to pumas, predators that primarily hunt guanacos. The photographer observed a female and her cubs for several days before capturing the moment of the hunt.
The photographer waited a long time for an African buffalo to reflect in the dark water. The strong backlight created a stunning silhouette and highlighted its horns, while a long exposure captured a bat, creating the illusion of a ghostly shape.
At dawn, the newly crowned "king of the milu" rises among a herd of females, letting out a loud roar. The rising sun emphasizes his majestic silhouette, as if crowning him with wild strength and glory.
Young elephant seal pups, separated from their mothers, gather at the natural stone pools of the Falkland Islands, using the calm waters to practice swimming and diving until they are ready for the open seas.
After a morning of play, a Pallas's cat mother returned with a rodent. The first to reach her took the prey. In this shot, the bright eyes of the kitten reflect its mischievous character.
