A stoat "dancing" over the snow, a David Bowie spider and a jaguar going for the kill are among the first images released from this year's Wildlife Photographer of the Year.
More than a dozen highly-commended images have been unveiled on Thursday by the Natural History Museum for this year's competition.
It comes ahead of the winners being announced at a ceremony hosted by TV presenters and conservationists Chris Packham and Megan McCubbin on October 8 .
Among the newly-released images, which received highly commended awards in their categories, are Jose Manuel Grandio's joyous image of a stoat jumping high into the air over fresh snow and young photographer Sasha Jumanca's shot of two curious tawny owlets.
"Over the decades, Wildlife Photographer of the Year has pushed the boundaries of wildlife photography as the competition evolved alongside technological advancements.
"But still today, the competition remains true to one of its founding objectives: 'to enhance the prestige of wildlife photography in the hope that ultimately the awards would benefit animals 'by creating greater public interest in them and in that all-important topic - conservation.'"
Wildlife Photographer of the Year is developed and produced by the Natural History Museum , London , supported by Associate Donor The William Brake Foundation .
9. Two Indian peafowl in Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan, India, which was Runner-Up in the 10 Years and Under section of the Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.
Shreyovi Mehta/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
10. Crabeater seals taking a nap among the sea ice in the Weddell Sea, Antarctica, which was Highly Commended in the Animals in their Environment section of the Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.
Tamara Stubbs/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
11. A ball of male Dawson's burrowing bees vying for access to a female Near Carnarvon, Western Australia, Australia , which was Highly Commended in the Behaviour: Invertebrates section of the Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.
Georgina Steytler/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
12. The bycatch of a requiem shark in International waters, South Atlantic Ocean, which was Highly Commended in the Oceans: The Bigger Picture section of the Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. I
Tommy Trenchard/Wildlife Photographer of the Year