In pictures: Wildlife Photographer of the Year finalists

A hungry Arctic fox, mating sea angels and playful brown bears are among the images on show at the Natural History Museum in London from October 20

Image 0 of 12

The power of the matriarch by David Lloyd (New Zealand/UK): In Kenya’s Maasai Mara national reserve, a herd of elephants trekked to their evening waterhole. The mellow light from the fast-setting sun emphasised every wrinkle and hair. The female leading the herd looked straight at the photographer, her eye a glowing amber dot in the heavy folds of skin. Her gaze was full of respect and intelligence. Finalist 2017, Animal Portraits. Photograph: David Lloyd/2017 Wildlife Photographer of the Year

Saguaro twist by Jack Dykinga (US): These emblematic saguaro cacti in Arizona’s Sonoran Desert National Monument tower at more than 12 metres. The roots weave a maze just below the surface, radiating as far as the plant is tall, to absorb precious rainfall. The saturated limbs are vulnerable to hard frost – their flesh may freeze and crack, while the mighty arms twist down under their loads. Finalist 2017, Plants and Fungi. Photograph: Jack Dykinga/2017 Wildlife Photographer of the Year

Sewage surfer by Justin Hofman (US): This tiny estuary seahorse ‘almost hopped’ from one bit of bouncing natural debris to the next, bobbing around on a reef near Sumbawa Island, Indonesia. As a brisk surface wind picked up, the seahorse took advantage of something that offered a stable raft: a waterlogged plastic cottonbud. Finalist 2017, The Wildlife Photojournalist Award: Single Image Photograph: Justin Hofman/2017 Wildlife Photographer of the Year

Saved but caged by Steve Winter (US): The back leg of this Sumatran tiger cub was so badly mangled by a snare it had to be amputated. He was trapped for four days before being discovered in a rainforest on the Indonesian island of Sumatra. It is likely the snare was set by oil-palm plantation workers. Finalist 2017, The Wildlife Photojournalist Award: Single Image. Photograph: Steve Winter/2017 Wildlife Photographer of the Year

Resplendent delivery by Tyohar Kastiel (Israel): Tyohar watched the pair of resplendent quetzals for more than a week as they delivered fruits to their two chicks. Resplendent quetzals usually nest in thicker forest, but this pair had picked a tree in a partly logged area in the Costa Rican cloud forest of San Gerardo de Dota. The additional light made it easier for Tyohar to catch the iridescent colour of the male’s dazzling emerald and crimson body plumage and tail streamers. Finalist 2017, Behaviour: Birds. Photograph: Tyohar Kastiel/2017 Wildlife Photographer of the Year

Wed Sept 13 2017 - 20:27

MORE GALLERIES

In pictures: John Bruton's funeral

In pictures: John Bruton's funeral

The State funeral of former taoiseach John Bruton took place at St Peter and Paul’s Church, Dunboyne, Co Meath,on February 10th, 2024.

Storm Isha

Storm Isha

A selection of pictures during Storm Isha from around the country

Pictures of the year 2023

Pictures of the year 2023

The best pictures of 2023

Major disorder erupts in Dublin in wake of serious stabbing incident

Major disorder erupts in Dublin in wake of serious stabbing incident

In Pictures: Irish designers at London Fashion Week 2023

In Pictures: Irish designers at London Fashion Week 2023

Irish designers at London Fashion Week 2023

LATEST STORIES

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE...

The Irish Times ePaper