Captivating Creatures: European Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2023
A captivating masterpiece by a Spanish biologist, the winning photograph of the European Wildlife Photographer of the Year depicts an awe-inspiring moment of maternal affection between a stink bug and its young
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In the depths of our forests, tree branches may appear uneventful to the naked eye. However, a closer observation through a camera lens reveals a heartwarming tale of maternal affection.
The winner of the 2023 European Wildlife Photographer of the Year award captured a remarkable moment. Biologist Javier Aznar González De Rueda took a photo in Ecuadors Yasuní National Park, showcasing a female stink bug tending to her eggs and recently hatched larvae. This maternal behavior was witnessed in the country's largest protected area, a dense jungle.
The Spanish photographer emphasized the significance of a mother's protection in enhancing her offspring's chances of survival, considering the presence of numerous predators in close proximity. In a press release, he described the ecosystem as intricate and interconnected, comprising an abundance of organisms in a vast web of life.
Captivating photograph of a horseshoe crab secures the title of Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2023.
The insects captured in Aznar's photographs are called antiteuchus tripterus and are part of the stink bug family. These particular bugs are found in South and Central America, primarily in southern Brazil. Measuring approximately 14 millimeters in length and no more than 2 centimeters in width, Aznar was able to provide a detailed view of these bugs. The competition, organized by the German Society for Nature Photography, received entries from photographers in 42 countries. Prizes were given in various categories such as birds, mammals, landscapes, and the underwater world.
Two octopuses tangle their tentacles around one another, unusual behavior, according to photographer Francisco Javier Murcia Requena.
Jury member Mark Littlejohn stated in regards to the judging process that recent research has revealed that the rate of species extinction in insects is eight times greater than in mammals, birds, and reptiles. Interestingly, despite this alarming statistic, it is important to recognize that the world as we currently understand it would not be possible without the presence of insects.
"With this in mind, the long, hard task of selecting one winner out of 18,000 entries was surprisingly easy."
Photographed here by Petr Bambousek, brookesia, also known as leaf chameleons, are one of the smallest chameleons in the world, measuring only 10 centimeters long on average.
Petr Bambousek
The finalists for the Comedy Wildlife Photo Award 2023 have been announced. Sabine Riewenherm, the president of the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation and the competition's patron, expressed the significance of raising awareness about insects as a means of their protection. She emphasized the role of traditional nature photography in evoking emotions, which in turn contribute to conservation efforts.
"They foster interest in various species, habitats, and the interconnectedness of nature, while also raising awareness for the conservation of our natural environment."
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