30 Of The Most Impressive Images From The 2024 Nature “inFocus” Photography Contest

Location: Sundarganj, Bangladesh

"A damselfly peers through a hole in a vibrant green leaf, offering a glimpse into its delicate world. The contrast between the insect’s form and the leaf’s texture highlights the small yet intricate wonders hidden in the undergrowth."

Location: Kolsa, Tadoba

"Kuwani, the legendary tigress of Kolsa, still reigns at 14. A wild boar strays too close, unaware of the danger nearby. In a flash, she launches forward, muscles tensed, claws unsheathed. The jungle falls silent as she makes her move."

Location: Baja California Sur, Mexico

"Mobulas scatter in all directions as a k****r whale cuts through their ranks, looking for its next meal. In the chaos, the photographer becomes part of the frenzy, feeling the brush of fins as the rays rush past."

Location: Jaipur, Rajasthan

"A leopard peers from behind a window frame in an abandoned Jaipur building. While a testament to its adaptability, this scene also underscores the loss of natural habitats. As forests shrink, leopards venture into human settlements, increasing the risk of conflict between humans and wildlife."

Location: Hokkaido, Japan

"In the icy waters of Japan’s Nemuro Strait, a Steller’s sea eagle teeters on a drifting ice floe, wings spread wide to steady itself. A sudden wave nearly topples the bird, highlighting the risks of winter life at sea. If submerged, the weight of wet feathers could make escape nearly impossible, turning a simple misstep into real danger."

Location: Wilpattu National Park, Sri Lanka

"In the still waters of Wilpattu National Park, a water buffalo rises from its swim, crowned with a garland of floating weeds. This fleeting adornment adds an unexpected touch of elegance to the buffalo’s rugged presence."

Location: Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

"Midday in the savanna, a leopardess named Kazuri rested in the shade before climbing a hill to scan for prey. As she moved toward a tree, a perfectly positioned frame captured her against a smoky backdrop, creating a striking and dramatic scene."

Location: Northern Poland

"For years, a quiet pool has been the setting for countless bird encounters. One autumn, a photographer dedicated weeks to observing cranes, approaching only under the cover of night to avoid disturbance. On a morning when the forecast promised perfection, the rising sun remained hidden, its light diffused by mist. The cranes, enveloped in this ethereal glow, stood in perfect harmony against the backdrop."

Location: Athuruga, Maldives

"A school of hardyhead silversides moves in perfect sync, twisting and turning to escape a squad of blacktip reef sharks. The fish react in waves, each shift an attempt to stay just out of reach. But the sharks are relentless, weaving through the silvery mass, waiting for a mistake to strike."

Location: Hokkaido, Japan

"At sunrise in Hokkaido, red-crowned cranes move through a veil of mist, their graceful forms almost like brushstrokes on a canvas."

Location: Andean Mountains, Ecuador

"High in the Andean mountains of Ecuador, Tony, a large male Spectacled Bear, sought refuge from the midday heat in the embrace of a century-old fig tree. Draped in Spanish moss, the tree swayed gently with the rhythm of the canyon’s breath. As a light rain began to fall, he stood and turned his face skyward, as if welcoming the cool relief."

Location: Cape St. Mary's Ecological Reserve, Canada

"Standing on a cliff, the photographer observed the relentless motion of a Northern Gannet colony in action. To do justice to this scene of organized chaos, he used a stack of 50+ photographs, capturing the swirling mass of birds in flight—a striking portrayal of the colony’s ceaseless energy."

Location: Kuman National Park, Sri Lanka

"A leopard’s gaze cuts through the dappled light of Kumana National Park. Perfectly concealed against the rough bark of a tree, it waits, watching quietly before vanishing into the forest once again."

Location: Mangalore, Karnataka

"Hidden in the soil, a tiger beetle larva lay in wait, its burrow both shelter and hunting ground. Anchored by tiny hooks on its back, it remained motionless until the perfect moment. Then, in a flash, it struck, pulling its unsuspecting prey underground."

Location: Raja Ampat Regency, Indonesia

"Two blacktip reef sharks cruise through the shallow waters of the Raja Ampat Archipelago. Above them, the jagged islands rise in the distance, completing a striking scene that captures both the land and the life beneath the surface."

Location: Mysore, India

"A mother leopard scales a tree with effortless grace, her cub watching from below before following her lead. Captured on a camera trap set near Mysore, this moment reveals not just the intricate bond between a mother and her cub but also the instinctual behavior of the cat."

Location: Buriram, Thailand

"Three ducklings float gently on a golden pond, their silhouettes framed by the warm glow of the setting sun. A quiet moment of simple beauty, reflecting the softness of nature."

Location: Koh Losin, Thailand

"A sea turtle glides through vibrant blue waters, its beak wrapped around a delicate jellyfish. The jellyfish’s long tentacles resemble strands of spaghetti, adding to the visual drama of this underwater encounter—an age-old dance between predator and prey."

Location: Minneriya National Park, Sri Lanka

"In Minneriya National Park, the photographer scoured the landscape for the mighty elephant—surely, one of the largest land mammals couldn't be that hard to find. But after hours of searching, the first glimpse wasn’t of a towering silhouette, but a lone trunk emerging from the wilderness."

Location: Lembeh Strait, Indonesia

Location: Germany

"As darkness settles over the water, alpine newts begin their silent hunt. They drift between clusters of frog eggs, each one angling for a meal before the night ends. Competing with one another, they move deliberately, their sleek forms illuminated by a faint glow, revealing the quiet but ruthless nature of their feast."

Location: Hemya, Ladakh

"In November 2021, on the banks of the Indus, the photographer was met with an unexpected sight. After an unsuccessful attempt at hunting Bharal, a snow leopard paused to rest before making a bold move—crossing the river and vanishing into the rugged mountains. For a brief moment, the elusive ghost of the Himalayas revealed itself."

Location: Lucerne, Switzerland

"A wasp spider holds its struggling prey, its intricate web a trap woven with precision. Captured with a custom-built CCTV macro lens, this image offers an intimate, wide-angle view of a hunter at work."

Location: Bangalore, Karnataka

"Mantises are usually active hunters, seen on grasslands or perched on twigs. This one, however, remained still on a palm leaf, resembling a quiet prayer. The palm’s natural lines framed the scene beautifully, making for a striking composition against the sky."

Location: Tal Chhapar, Rajasthan

"In the arid expanse of Rajasthan, two spiny-tailed lizards engage in a battle of strength and strategy."

Location: Helgoland, Germany

"On Helgoland, among the northern gannet colonies, a mating pair briefly connected while another bird soared past in the background. Experimenting with an unconventional lens led to this intimate moment captured in motion."

Location: Madurai

"Most of the time I go for a walk near the famous Meenakshi Amman Temple of Madurai to do street photography. On that night I spotted that something big with white feathers was crossing from the trees to this majestic gopuram. On that day I forgot to setup my camera, eventually ran to the spot while setting up my camera and captured this beautiful creature standing like an ancient sculpture."

Location: Lake Magadi, Kenya

"From a helicopter over Lake Magadi, a mesmerizing sight unfolded—a group of lesser flamingos taking flight in the shape of a fish, framed by the lake’s striking patterns. These colors and formations result from chemical changes in the algae, creating a breathtaking natural canvas."

Location: Germany

"The winged fruit of Acer negundo came to life through the lens, its motion captured using a long exposure, continuous lighting, and a second-curtain flash. This technique preserved the delicate spin while the backlight created striking reflections."

Location: Northern Poland

"A soundless drone captures a family of wild boars deep in sleep, nestled within a reed bed. Their warmth and closeness reflect the quiet bonds of life in the wild, undisturbed and at peace under the open sky."

Location: Germany

"A bat returns to the safety of its tree hollow after a night of hunting. For the photographer, capturing this image took over 50 nights of observation. Using manual focus, strobe flash, and in-camera multiple exposure, the shot was framed from inside the hollow, showing the bat’s precise approach toward its refuge."

Location: Sri Lanka

"As Sri Lanka's wild elephants lose their habitats, can they survive in a human-dominated landscape?"

Location: Kole Wetlands, Kerala

"A barn swallow gliding effortlessly over the sprouting Wetlands."

Location: Aurangabad, Maharashtra

"A barn owl roosts in the geometric confines of an apartment complex near a city flyover. The stark contrast between its dark shelter and the white building evokes a sense of confinement, yet the owl remains undisturbed—a silent observer in an urban maze."

Location: Barasat, West Bengal

"With the strength of a warrior, a weaver ant hauls a dragonfly wing, a prize nearly twice its size. Step by step, it follows an invisible trail home. A slow shutter speed captures its determined march, highlighting the precision and teamwork that make ants some of nature’s most efficient and tireless workers."

Location: Austria

"A few snails rest delicately on blades of grass, their fragile forms highlighted against the soft glow of a backlit setup."

Location: Northern Poland

"Drought and human activity have devastated this floodplain, leaving only shallow pools. As water vanishes, fish struggle to survive, while birds seize an easy meal."

Location: Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh

"At 14,000 feet in Spiti, the woolly hare blends seamlessly into its snow-covered surroundings. Camouflaged beneath a rock, it rests in the extreme cold, perfectly adapted to its high-altitude home."

Location: Hungary

"Nature crafts mesmerizing patterns across the saline lakes of Akasztó. While composing an aerial shot, a dozen geese took flight beneath the drone, aligning perfectly within the scene. Definitely a photo that takes one a few minutes to understand."

Location: Bankura, West Bengal

"A common house gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus) clings to a car window, its wide, unblinking eyes peering through the glass. Found across Asia and Oceania, these adaptable reptiles thrive in human spaces, often appearing in the most unexpected places—like this one, hitching a ride."

Location: Surla, Goa

"These Dipthera larvae are a unique kind of glow worm, using their bioluminescence not just to shine but to lure unsuspecting prey. Known to be predatory, they remain largely understudied, especially in India."

Location: New Delhi

"A devotee stands in the Yamuna River, offering prayers to the sun. Once revered, the river now ranks among the world’s most polluted, choked by industrial waste, sewage, and agricultural runoff."

Location: Bengaluru, India

"The tiny mosquito holds the distinction of being Earth's deadliest creature, transmitting diseases like malaria and dengue. Yet, under a microscope, its wings reveal a delicate, intricate beauty. This image was created using a 20X objective under polarized light and focus stacking to bring out every fine detail."

Location: Arunachal Pradesh, India

"The Aran Festival reflects the Adi tribe’s deep cultural traditions, where hunting has long played a role in rituals and sustenance. Species like the Grey Peacock-Pheasant and Kalij Pheasant are part of these customs, highlighting the evolving dialogue between heritage and conservation in an ever-changing landscape."

Location: Aurangabad, Maharashtra

"A common myna guards its nest while an Indian palm squirrel waits patiently behind a nesting hole, hoping to steal some nesting material. Captured in an ancient Mughal garden in Aurangabad, this scene plays out among coconut trees that are home to parakeets, mynas, and owls. The stark tree trunks, the curve of the squirrel’s tail, and the simple yet compelling interaction come together in this high-contrast black-and-white frame."

Location: Chennai, India

"A boat glides through oil-streaked waters in Ennore Creek, days after Cyclone Michaung. The spill, a toxic aftermath, stains the water and threatens marine life, livelihoods, and ecosystems."

Location: Welikanda, Sri Lanka

"Another elephant falls victim to a train accident in Sri Lanka, a tragic reminder of the ongoing conflict between wildlife and infrastructure. This spot has seen many such losses, highlighting the urgent need for stronger protective measures. Without action, these gentle giants will continue to pay the price for human negligence."