The image of a buzzing ball of cactus bees spinning over the hot sand on a Texas ranch has helped its creator to win the coveted Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.
The bee-level close-up was captured by US photographer Karine Aigner and makes her the fifth woman in the competition’s 58-year history to claim the grand title award.
The other main title of Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2022 was won by 16-year-old Katanyou Wuttichaitanakorn, of Thailand, for his image about the beauty of a whale.
Ms Aigner’s image was praised for its “sense of movement and intensity” by the judges at London’s Natural History Museum, who develop and produce the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.
All except one of the bees in the close-up are males, who are intent on mating with the single female at the centre.
Like most bees, they are threatened by habitat loss, pesticides and climate change, as well as farming practices that disrupt their nesting grounds.
Chairwoman of the judging panel, Roz Kidman Cox said: “Wings whirring, incoming males home in on the ball of buzzing bees that is rolling straight into the picture.
“The sense of movement and intensity is shown at bee-level magnification and transforms what are little cactus bees into big competitors for a single female.”
The success of Thai teenager Katanyou Wuttichaitanakorn in winning the Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year title was due to his fascination with the colours of a baleen whale.
. The big buzz. The winner of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition
The big buzz by Karine Aigner, overall winner and winner of the Behaviour: Invertebrates category at the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition The image of a buzzing ball of cactus bees spinning over the hot sand on a Texas ranch has helped its creator to win the coveted Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. Photo: Karine Aigner/Wildlife Photograp
. Ndakasi's passing by Brent Stirton, winner of the Photojournalism category at the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition
Ndakasi's passing by Brent Stirton, winner of the Photojournalism category at the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. Dr Doug Gurr, director of the Natural History Museum said: “Wildlife photographers offer us unforgettable glimpses into the lives of wild species, sharing unseen details, fascinating behaviours and frontline reporting on the climate and biodiversity crises. Photo: Brent Stirton/Wildlife Photograp
. Under Antarctic ice by Laurent Ballesta
Wildlife Photographer of the Year is developed and produced by the Natural History Museum, London. Undated handout photo issued by Natural History Museum of Under Antarctic ice by Laurent Ballesta, winner of the Portfolio Award category at the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. Photo: Laurent Ballesta/Wildlife Photog
. House of bears by Dmitry Kokh, winner of the Urban Wildlife category at the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.
House of bears by Dmitry Kokh, winner of the Urban Wildlife category at the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. Dr Doug Gurr, director of the Natural History Museum said: “Wildlife photographers offer us unforgettable glimpses into the lives of wild species, sharing unseen details, fascinating behaviours and frontline reporting on the climate and biodiversity crises. Photo: Dmitry Kokh/Wildlife Photographe
1. The big buzz. The winner of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition
The big buzz by Karine Aigner, overall winner and winner of the Behaviour: Invertebrates category at the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition The image of a buzzing ball of cactus bees spinning over the hot sand on a Texas ranch has helped its creator to win the coveted Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. Photo: Karine Aigner/Wildlife Photograp
2. Ndakasi's passing by Brent Stirton, winner of the Photojournalism category at the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition
Ndakasi's passing by Brent Stirton, winner of the Photojournalism category at the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. Dr Doug Gurr, director of the Natural History Museum said: “Wildlife photographers offer us unforgettable glimpses into the lives of wild species, sharing unseen details, fascinating behaviours and frontline reporting on the climate and biodiversity crises. Photo: Brent Stirton/Wildlife Photograp
3. Under Antarctic ice by Laurent Ballesta
Wildlife Photographer of the Year is developed and produced by the Natural History Museum, London. Undated handout photo issued by Natural History Museum of Under Antarctic ice by Laurent Ballesta, winner of the Portfolio Award category at the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. Photo: Laurent Ballesta/Wildlife Photog
4. House of bears by Dmitry Kokh, winner of the Urban Wildlife category at the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.
House of bears by Dmitry Kokh, winner of the Urban Wildlife category at the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. Dr Doug Gurr, director of the Natural History Museum said: “Wildlife photographers offer us unforgettable glimpses into the lives of wild species, sharing unseen details, fascinating behaviours and frontline reporting on the climate and biodiversity crises. Photo: Dmitry Kokh/Wildlife Photographe