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.
9. Battle stations by Ekaterina Bee, winner of the Young Wildlife Photography of the Year 10 Years and Under category at the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.
Battle stations by Ekaterina Bee, winner of the Young Wildlife Photography of the Year 10 Years and Under category at the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. The overall winners, including the Grand Title winner, will be announced on October 11, with the exhibition of the 100 award-winning images opening at the Natural History Photo: Ekaterina Bee/Wildlife Photograp
10. Museum of Puff perfect by Jose Juan Hernandez Martine
Museum of Puff perfect by Jose Juan Hernandez Martine, winner of the Animal Portraits category at the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. The courtship display of a Canary Islands houbara bird was caught in the light of the moon by Jose Juan Hernandez Martinez, of Spain. He dug himself a low hide and caught the bird’s puffed-out profile as it took a brief rest. Photo: Jose Juan Hernandez Martine/Wild
11. Heavenly flamingos by Junji Takasago, winner of the Natural Artistry category
Junji Takasago/Wildlife Photographer of the Year. Heavenly flamingos by Junji Takasago, winner of the Natural Artistry category at the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. There were 38,575 entries from 93 countries which were judged on their originality, narrative, technical excellence and ethical practice. Photo: Junji Takasago/Wildlife Photogra
12. The listening bird by Nick Kanaki, winner of the Behaviour: Birds category at the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.
The listening bird by Nick Kanaki, winner of the Behaviour: Birds category at the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. An exhibition of the top images submitted to the competition opens at the Natural History Museum in London on October 14, before going on a UK and international tour. Photo: Nick Kanaki/Wildlife Photographe