Photographers celebrate diversity of animals from around the world
A WOLF killed in a fight for dominance and a bearded leaf chameleon were just two of the winning shots in the British Ecological Society’s photography competition.
The stunning photos, taken by international ecologists and students from around the world, capture all kinds of plants and animals to celebrate the diversity of ecology.
Subjects range from a standoff between a roadrunner and rattlesnake, flamingos feasting at sunset and baby octopi emerging from their egg sacs.
The overall winning shot, titled The art of flight, which shows a dalmatian pelican gliding over Lake Kerkini in Greece, was taken by Alwin Hardenbol, a PhD candidate at the University of East Finland.
Ms Hardenbol said: “I gave this image the title The art of flight because of how impressive this bird’s wings appear in the picture, you can almost see the bird flying in front of you despite it being a still image.
“I used a technique called panning which involves using a slow shutter speed and moving the camera along with the bird as it flies.
“In a perfect scenario, the background and most of the bird will show blurred movement but the head should be sharp. I took thousands of pictures and while most failed, I was very happy with this shot.”
A great dusky swift or waterfall swift on the steep rocky walls of the Iguazú falls, in Argentina, was the overall student winner. It was captured by Pablo Javier Merlo, a biology student at the Nacional University of Córdoba.
There were around 500 entries by members of The British Ecological Society from around the world. Judge Gabriela Staebler said: “The standout images show not only great photographic skills, but love and emotion for wildlife.”
The standout images not only show great skills, but love for wildlife. Gabriela Staebler, British Ecological Society competition judge.