17 pictures showcasing the harshness and allure of nature

From musk oxen shielding their calves from a hungry Arctic wolf to flamingos relaxing near Dubais skyline and a flying squirrel making a brief appearance, the 2025 Nature inFocus Photography Awards showcase extraordinary glimpses of wildlife across the globe. In Ugandas forests, a young male chimpanzee lounges on a twisted vine, observing the world below with calm curiosity.

This year, nearly 16,000 photographs were submitted by photographers from 38 countries. Awards were presented in eight categories: Animal Portraits, Animal Behaviour, Conservation Photography, Creative Nature Photography, Wildscape & Animals in Their Habitat, Portfolio, Coexistence, and Young Photographer (under 17).

Rohit Varma, co-founder of Nature inFocus, said: Every year, these submissions provide new perspectives on the natural world and highlight critical conservation issues. The increasing participation and worldwide reach demonstrate how global this platform has become.

Featured Captures

Race to the Forest by Danuja Palihawadana Arachchi

In Sri Lankas dry zone, a female elephant jumps over an electric fence as her herd follows, returning to the forest at dawn after raiding nearby fields. This image underscores how shrinking habitats force elephants to navigate human-made obstacles.
Location: Thammanawa Wewa, Sri Lanka

An Arctic wolfs recent hunt is revealed as a muskox herd forms a protective circle, horns outward to shield their young. Despite their defense, the wolf pack captures a few calves before moving on.

On Mongolias open steppes, six Pallass cat kittens, still reliant on their mother, cautiously explore their rocky surroundings at eight weeks old, offering a rare insight into this elusive species.

At Ras Al Khor, flamingos feed peacefully against Dubais skyscrapers. This urban wetland, home to over 25,000 migratory birds each winter, thrives amid urban expansion by filtering water, storing carbon, and supporting wildlife.
Location: Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary, Dubai

Edge of Two Worlds by Rajat Chordia and Vidhan Dwivedi Winner, Ramki Sreenivasan Conservation Photography Award

A young leopard feeds on a cow carcass beside roads and trash, highlighting how closely wildlife now lives alongside human settlements.

In a rare observation, several male Western Ghats tree frogs surround a female in a polyandrous mating ritual, increasing fertilization chances for her eggs.

The Rarest of the Rare by Sergey Gorshkov Special Mention, Wildscape & Animals in Habitat

In Russias Land of the Leopard National Park, an Amur leopard briefly emerges before vanishing into dense forest, a fleeting glimpse of one of the worlds rarest big cats.
Location: Land of the Leopard National Park, Russia

On Wrangel Island, a polar bear pauses after a successful hunt, leaving a trail of blood across the snow. In Hokkaido, Japan, a flying squirrel emerges briefly from its nest, offering a rare photograph of this small, nocturnal species.

Leopards in India increasingly interact with humans as towns expand and habitats shrink. One image captures a leopard slipping past an open doorway, illustrating the delicate balance between wildlife and human settlements.

When Torchlight Meets Tusks by Ramprasad Dutta Special Mention, Ramki Sreenivasan Conservation Photography Award

In Kaladai, elephants wade toward a river while villagers use torchlight and firecrackers to deter them, reflecting the shared dependence on natural resources and resulting tensions.

A grey heron, startled mid-flight by a fisherman in Aurangabad, Maharashtra, reveals unexpected patterns of nature in a playful moment.
Special Mention, Creative Nature Photography

In Kenyas Maasai Mara, two elephants entwine their trunks in gentle play. The black-and-white image emphasizes their textured skin and the quiet connection between them.
Location: Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya Special Mention, Wildscape & Animals in Habitat

At an abandoned Soviet airfield in Georgia, rodents thrive and barn owls have nested thanks to conservation efforts. One owl stands under the morning moon as a horseshoe bat crosses the sky.
Location: Shiraki Military Airfield, Kakheti, Georgia

Catch of the Day by Kashyap Naresh Raval

A fishing spider clutches its freshly caught prey at the edge of a waterbody, illustrating the remarkable hunting abilities of even the smallest creatures.

Author: Sophia Brooks