Most types of photography are pretty amazing if done right. However, there seems something a little extra special about wildlife photography. Maybe it’s because we’re seeing these amazing creatures in their natural habitat and they’re largely unaware of the camera, but there’s just something so mesmerising and awe-inspiring in a well-taken photograph of a wild animal.
The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) recently announced the winners and runners-up of their annual Animal Photography Prize and, as you’d expect, the photos are absolutely stunning. They had over 450 entries across six categories – ‘The Perfect Moment’, ‘Weird and Wonderful’, ‘Deep and Meaningful’, ‘The Last Chance To See’, ‘Size Matters’ and ‘The Birds and the Bees’. The competition judges included wildlife experts Bill Oddie and Kate Humble.
Related: Amazing Photos from the Environmental Photographer of the Year Awards
An exhibition featuring the winners, runners-up and more is open to ZSL London Zoo visitors until 28th February 2016. Check out just some of the winners and runners up below…
Junior winner in Size Matters category – Parenthood by Alex Wendelken
Adult runner up in Size Matters category – The Biggest Traffic Jam by Cathy Withers-Clarke
Judges’ Choice & adult winner of Size Matters category – Timeless by Andy Skillen
Adult runner-up in Perfect Moment category – The Strongest Bond by Tom Way
Adult runner-up in Perfect Moment category – Anoura Geoffrey’s Tailless Bat by Nicolas Reuse
Judges’ Choice & junior winner of Perfect Moment category – Droplets by Gideon Knight
Runner-up in Birds and the Bees category – Orange Tipped Butterfly by Samuel Bayliss
Adult winner of Birds and the Bees category – A Present For My Love by John Gooday
Junior runner-up in Weird & Wonderful category – Lost in a Crowd by Connie Beith
Adult winner in Weird & Wonderful category – Bright Eyes by Carolyn Collins
Runner-up in Last Chance To See catgeory – Sleeping Beauty by Tianha Williams
Adult runner-up in Deep and Meaningful category – Turtle Portrait by Michael Gallagher
So what do you think? Which photos are your favourite? Let us know in the comments below.