One of the few photos that grabbed the attention of many was ‘Maldives 01,’ which depicted a floating tortoise underwater. 

Alain Schroeder, the photographer, won the Photographer of the Year 2023 award. A statement by the Nature Photo Contest expressed: 

“This image is just a small sample of the different photographs with which Alain Schroeder has proven to be worthy of this Photographer of the Year award.”

The site added that the photographer featured in this first edition has been designated to decide the allocation of 400 trees to be planted. “Thanks to your support and participation, will help to take care of our planet a little bit,” stated the contest. 

The photograph is named ‘Burning Flower’ and was captured by Marek Biegalski, who won the Natural Landscape category award. 

The image depicts just as the name says – a burning flower. The color hues of the shot make it stand out. The photographer says Burning Flower was captured in Iceland while exploring “the incredible glacial river perspective” observed from high up.

“They’re called ‘braided river’ systems, as they often resemble an intricate jumble of patterns, intertwining in an almost inexplicable fashion,” Biegalski described. “These networks of river channels flow from the glaciers toward the sea, carrying vital nutrients for the ecosystem along the way, in the form of sediment.”

He added that the colors are original and look mesmerizing as they result from a scenario when the rivers’ flow decreases, the sediment is deposited on the river bed, which “leaves behind small temporary islands of dark volcanic sand that cause the channels of the rivers to split.”

The capture titled ‘Stories in the sand,’ taken by Soumya Ranjan Bhattacharyya, depicts a scorpion in the dunes in Jaisalmer, India. 

“The scorpion is widely distributed across various terrains in India. In Jaisalmer once the evening falls, the scorpions emerge across the dunes to feed for the night,” says Bhattacharyya. 

“The scorpions when lighted by faint UV light, emit bright blue luminescence from their body. The image was captured using a flashlight which lit up the wind and created streaks of the dunes. The scorpion was illuminated by a UV flashlight.”

Adrian Truchta shot ‘The Dreamer – Philaeus chrysops‘ – a photograph winning the Macrophotography award category at the 2023 Nature Photography Contest. 

The photo illustrates a Philaeus chrysops female walking near her nest.

“Morning dew, sun, and beautiful Philaeus chrysops female walking around her nest. Photoshoot in natural environment. Natural light,.” expressed Truchta. 

家 住 captured an image of moray eel fish, rarely found in freshwater but rather in brackish water. 

“Larval Moray Eel when feeling threatened,” the photographer expressed.

Alessio Calviani photographed a Puffin, a seabird that feeds by diving into the water. 

“Puffin walking on the cliff in Iceland,” stated Calviani.

As per the Wildlife Trust, the puffin nicknamed the ‘sea parrot’ for its vibrant bill in breeding plumage, has a serrated bill that can hold multiple fishes. A record noted 83 small sand eels in one puffin’s bill. 

The photo ‘Pandora,’ shot by Marcio Cabral, showcases an illuminated scene of Chapada dos Veadeiros, a Brazilian national park renowned for its diverse wildlife and stunning landscapes.

He says the white flowers in the foreground are a rare species of Paepalanthus, a genus of plants endemic to the region.

“They were illuminated by a scurion lamp to create a contrast with the dark sky.”

Stretching across the hills in the backdrop, the Milky Way unveils the hues and forms of stars and nebulae.

“This pano was taken with a specialized camera for astrophotography, which allows capturing more details of the universe,” Cabral said. 

The shot titled – ‘Los arcos y la cueva’ depicts a panoramic view of the Milky Way forming an arch in the sky behind a natural arch made of limestone – Es Pontàs located in the island of Mallorca in Spain

“Panoramic night photograph in which I could capture the arch of the Milky Way passing behind the natural arch called Es Pontàs. In the photograph I could also capture a small cave in front of the arch,” said the photographer – Marc Marco.

Muhammad Hossain, a photographer, shot ‘Fatigue Sleep,’ an image in Bangladesh depicting a woman sleeping on a huge pile of garbage, mainly plastic, floating in the ocean. 

“Many homeless people in Bangladesh have lost their homes and properties due to frequent floods, river erosion, and other natural calamities,” the photographer said. “They were forced to migrate to Dhaka city in search of a better future. These people have no place to take shelter in big cities.”

Describing the lives of homeless individuals in South Asia, he added that their day usually begins in dump hills and streets on roads or boats to nowhere.

“The concrete-covered street and dirt hills is a flower bed for these refugees who practically do not have any identity. They live by working as street hawkers, boatmen, laborers, and doing other odd jobs.”

‘Saving Orangutans 01’ was captured in Sibolangit, SOCP Quarantine Centre, North Sumatra, Indonesia, illustrating a three-month-old female orangutan named – Brenda who has no teeth yet. She is being prepped for surgery. 

The photographer describing the scene says: “A sedative is administered, the arm is shaved, her temperature is taken, while others hold her head or her hand out of compassion for the baby.”

“During the three-hour procedure, Dr. Andreas Messikommer, a renowned orthopedic surgeon invited from Switzerland, will place a pin and screws to secure the damaged humerus. Brenda was confiscated from a villager in Blang Pidie on the west coast of Aceh who was keeping her as a pet,” added Alain Schroeder, the photographer.

Panisara Sripratoom spotted an owlet – Athene brama, emerging from a hollow within a yellow flame tree situated on the university campus, the photographer said.

This owl species is known for its petite size, mainly nocturnal feeding habits, and common presence in urban settings.

“Without a sharp eye, this spotted owlet goes unnoticed. The meaning of this photograph is in the presence of the large trees around the campus,” said Sripratoom. 

“All branches from these trees were cut and removed as a precautionary measure to prevent potential dangers, such as branch breakage during the rainy season, which could cause risks to passersby. Despite this, these spotted owlets, somehow, have shown their adaptability, finding a habitat within this modified urban environment.”