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The best photos and runners up of the 2019 Nature Photographer Of The Year photo contest have recently been announced, and as always, the standards are incredibly high. The presentation of the award at the Nature Talks Photo Festival in the Netherlands marked the end of a photography contest at which over 14,000 stunning pictures were submitted by both amateur and professional photographers from 73 different countries.

Entries are divided into 11 nature photography categories including Birds, Mammals, Plants and mushrooms, Landscapes, Underwater, and Man and Nature. Category winners are then pitted against each other to decide the Grand Prize: the prestigious title of Nature Photographer Of The Year.

Scroll down below to see a comprehensive list of the beautiful photos from this year's competition, and let us know which ones you liked best in the comments below!

#1

Category Mammals Highly Commended: 'Colorful Night' By Mohammad Murad (Kw)

Category Mammals Highly Commended: 'Colorful Night' By Mohammad Murad (Kw)

Mohammad Murad Report

This year's overall winner was Hungary's Csaba Daróczi, who scooped the prize with a beautifully-timed black and white capture of two rabbits leaping playfully through the air. Nature Talks explained that the jury chose this image because of the atmosphere, the timing, the beautiful light and the perfect sharpness and composition. 

“This photo proves once again that you don't have to put rare or exotic animals in front of the lens to make a perfect nature photo. If you have a good idea and a vision of nature photography, you can also make a great album close to home," said Keith Wilson, chairman of the jury. "It is also remarkable that it is a black and white photo, but it is precisely because of this that the energy pops out of the photo."

#2

Overall Winner And Black And White Category Winner: 'Jump' By Csaba Daroczi (Hungary)

Overall Winner And Black And White Category Winner: 'Jump' By Csaba Daroczi (Hungary)

Csaba Daroczi Report

#3

Category Mammals Highly Commended: 'Climbing To The Sweet' By José Juan Hernández (Es)

Category Mammals Highly Commended: 'Climbing To The Sweet' By José Juan Hernández (Es)

José Juan Hernández Report

The photographer himself explained that while he is not particularly passionate about rabbits, he found their lively, leaping behavior to be well worthy of capturing. “I took this photo in Kiskunsag, near my village of Bócsa,"he told Bored Panda.

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"I found a colony of rabbits when I went out taking pictures. I was watching them for a while, and I found out where was the best spot to take photos of them. I gave them a little food to come closer to me and they got more and more confident. In 2018 I spent 72 mornings taking photos of them. I made a few good ones."

While watching the rabbits I realised that sometimes they jump at each other in the air. I knew in the moment, that I have to take a picture of this scene. So I gave them food, and the stronger rabbits were protecting their share from the others.That's what caused this scene.”

#4

Category Birds Winner: 'Greeting The Sun' By Peter Cech (Cz)

Category Birds Winner: 'Greeting The Sun' By Peter Cech (Cz)

Peter Cech Report

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#5

Category Plants And Fungi Winner: 'The Fallen Idol III' By David Frutos Egea (Es)

Category Plants And Fungi Winner: 'The Fallen Idol III' By David Frutos Egea (Es)

David Frutos Egea Report

#6

Category Underwater Winner: ' Up In The Air' By Alexey Zozulya (Ru)

Category Underwater Winner: ' Up In The Air' By Alexey Zozulya (Ru)

Alexey Zozulya Report

#7

Category Youth Winner: 'Symphony N°5' By Giacomo Redaelli (It)

Category Youth Winner: 'Symphony N°5' By Giacomo Redaelli (It)

Giacomo Redaelli Report

#8

Category Mammals Highly Commended: 'Wolf Attack' By Martin Steenhaut (Be)

Category Mammals Highly Commended: 'Wolf Attack' By Martin Steenhaut (Be)

Martin Steenhaut Report

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#9

Category Birds Runner-Up: 'Golden Eagle Landing' By Audun Rikardsen (No)

Category Birds Runner-Up: 'Golden Eagle Landing' By Audun Rikardsen (No)

Audun Rikardsen Report

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emiamohler avatar
SirPatTheCat
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh I remember seeing how they got this shot basically they created a perch that looked optimal for sitting on for the eagle and just waited until it sat on it (which I believe took a while-in the days range?) and put a camera on it. Anyways it sounds a lot less dramatic when I explain it but that’s what happened

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#10

Category Birds Highly Commended: 'Fjord Fight' By Bernt Østhus (No)

Category Birds Highly Commended: 'Fjord Fight' By Bernt Østhus (No)

Bernt Østhus Report

#11

Category Underwater Runner-Up: 'Dancing In The Light' By Domenico Tripodi (It)

Category Underwater Runner-Up: 'Dancing In The Light' By Domenico Tripodi (It)

Domenico Tripodi Report

#12

Category Man And Nature Highly Commended:' Sunsets' By Pedro Narra (Pt)

Category Man And Nature Highly Commended:' Sunsets' By Pedro Narra (Pt)

Pedro Narra Report

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Daria B
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

First sight: "awwwww...." Second thought: "wait? Isn't it chlorinated water?" It's such a powerful image, really.

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#13

Category Black And White Highly Commended: 'Brothers' By Luke Massey (Es)

Category Black And White Highly Commended: 'Brothers' By Luke Massey (Es)

Luke Massey Report

#14

Category Landscape Winner: 'A Stormy Day' By Ales Krivec (Si)

Category Landscape Winner: 'A Stormy Day' By Ales Krivec (Si)

Ales Krivec Report

#15

Category Mammals Highly Commended: 'Deer On The Crest' By François Nowicki (Fr)

Category Mammals Highly Commended: 'Deer On The Crest' By François Nowicki (Fr)

François Nowicki Report

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Alatheia Eunomia
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is that really a deer? The antlers resemble those of an elk. I don't even know if the picture was taken in North America.

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#16

Category Fred Hazelhoff Portfolio Award Winner: 'Cuejdel My Lake' By Gheorghe Popa (Ro)

Category Fred Hazelhoff Portfolio Award Winner: 'Cuejdel My Lake' By Gheorghe Popa (Ro)

Gheorghe Popa Report

#17

Category Underwater Highly Commended: 'Duck Photo Bomb' By Paul Colley (UK)

Category Underwater Highly Commended: 'Duck Photo Bomb' By Paul Colley (UK)

Paul Colley Report

#18

Category Plants And Fungi Highly Commended: 'Survivor III' By David Frutos Egea (Es)

Category Plants And Fungi Highly Commended: 'Survivor III' By David Frutos Egea (Es)

David Frutos Egea Report

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#19

Category Youth Highly Commended:'poplar Stars' By Carlos Perez Naval (Es)

Category Youth Highly Commended:'poplar Stars' By Carlos Perez Naval (Es)

Carlos Perez Naval Report

#20

Category Landscape Highly Commended: 'Flower Power' By Brandon Yoshizawa (Us)

Category Landscape Highly Commended: 'Flower Power' By Brandon Yoshizawa (Us)

Brandon Yoshizawa Report

#21

Category Birds Highly Commended: 'La Dama Blanca' By Stanislao Basileo (It)

Category Birds Highly Commended: 'La Dama Blanca' By Stanislao Basileo (It)

Stanislao Basileo Report

#22

Category Other Animals Highly Commended: 'Hunting Ants' By Petr Bambousek (Cz)

Category Other Animals Highly Commended: 'Hunting Ants' By Petr Bambousek (Cz)

Petr Bambousek Report

#23

Category Plants And Fungi Highly Commended: 'Frozen Spring' By Csaba Daroczi (Hu)

Category Plants And Fungi Highly Commended: 'Frozen Spring' By Csaba Daroczi (Hu)

Csaba Daroczi Report

#24

Category Other Animals Runner-Up: 'Gorgon' By Alena Shevtsova (Ru)

Category Other Animals Runner-Up: 'Gorgon' By Alena Shevtsova (Ru)

Alena Shevtsova Report

#25

Category Other Animals Highly Commended: 'Hunt In Sun' By Wei Fu (Th)

Category Other Animals Highly Commended: 'Hunt In Sun' By Wei Fu (Th)

Wei Fu Report

#26

Category Mammals Winner: 'Under The Snow…' By Stefano Quirini (It)

Category Mammals Winner: 'Under The Snow…' By Stefano Quirini (It)

Stefano Quirini Report

#27

Category Mammals Runner-Up: 'Tapir Diver' By Marcio Esteves Cabral (Br)

Category Mammals Runner-Up: 'Tapir Diver' By Marcio Esteves Cabral (Br)

Marcio Esteves Cabral Report

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james_fox1984 avatar
Foxxy’s #1 fan
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well how bout that, I had no idea that Tapir could swim especially underwater.

#28

Category Other Animals Highly Commended: 'Fly' By Radomir Jakubowski (De)

Category Other Animals Highly Commended: 'Fly' By Radomir Jakubowski (De)

Radomir Jakubowski Report

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#29

Category Youth Highly Commended: 'Little Curious Learner' By John Peter Wewin Pandian (In)

Category Youth Highly Commended: 'Little Curious Learner' By John Peter Wewin Pandian (In)

John Peter Wewin Pandian Report

#30

Category Other Animals Winner: 'Golden Rain' By Norbert Kaszás (Hu)

Category Other Animals Winner: 'Golden Rain' By Norbert Kaszás (Hu)

Norbert Kaszás Report

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xXKittensweetXx
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

aw poor dragonfly!!! it could kill the poor guy! once an insects wings are wet and damaged, it leaves them vulnerable for quite a while as they wait for their wings to dry :(

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#31

Category Landscape Highly Commended: ' Under Aurora Bridge' By Yevhen Samuchenko (Ua)

Category Landscape Highly Commended: ' Under Aurora Bridge' By Yevhen Samuchenko (Ua)

Yevhen Samuchenko Report

#32

Category Black And White Highly Commended: 'Passing Through' By Shane Kalyn (Ca)

Category Black And White Highly Commended: 'Passing Through' By Shane Kalyn (Ca)

Shane Kalyn Report

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#33

Category Fred Hazelhoff Portfolio Award Winner: 'Cuejdel My Lake' By Gheorghe Popa (Ro)

Category Fred Hazelhoff Portfolio Award Winner: 'Cuejdel My Lake' By Gheorghe Popa (Ro)

Gheorghe Popa Report

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#34

Category Black And White Highly Commended: 'Reservoir_dogs' By Mario Suárez (Es)

Category Black And White Highly Commended: 'Reservoir_dogs' By Mario Suárez (Es)

Mario Suárez Report

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#35

Category Landscapes Of The Lage Landen Highly Commended: 'Thunderstorm At Schier' By Theo Bosboom (Nl)

Category Landscapes Of The Lage Landen Highly Commended: 'Thunderstorm At Schier' By Theo Bosboom (Nl)

Theo Bosboom Report

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#36

Category Youth Runner-Up: 'A Close Meeting Above The Treeline' By Tobias Gjerde (No)

Category Youth Runner-Up: 'A Close Meeting Above The Treeline' By Tobias Gjerde (No)

Tobias Gjerde Report

#37

Category Nature Highly Commended: 'Wings' By Bence Mate (Hu)

Category Nature Highly Commended: 'Wings' By Bence Mate (Hu)

Bence Mate Report

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#38

Category Man And Nature Highly Commended:'cub And Crab' By Noel Guevara (Ph)

Category Man And Nature Highly Commended:'cub And Crab' By Noel Guevara (Ph)

Noel Guevara Report

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#39

Category Landscapes Of The Lage Landen Highly Commended: 'Reflections' By Erik Steen Redeker (Be)

Category Landscapes Of The Lage Landen Highly Commended: 'Reflections' By Erik Steen Redeker (Be)

Erik Steen Redeker Report

#40

Category Fred Hazelhoff Portfolio Award Winner: 'Cuejdel My Lake' By Gheorghe Popa (Ro)

Category Fred Hazelhoff Portfolio Award Winner: 'Cuejdel My Lake' By Gheorghe Popa (Ro)

Gheorghe Popa Report

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#41

Category Nature Art Winner: 'Happiness Grows In Trees' By Simone Baumeister (De)

Category Nature Art Winner: 'Happiness Grows In Trees' By Simone Baumeister (De)

Simone Baumeister Report

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Harold Summer
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I doubt this is a composite image combined in Photoshop. It appears to be a reflection shot, probably of smooth clear water pool over clover and plants that is reflecting trees above it.

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#42

Category Plants And Fungi Highly Commended: 'Leverbloempjes' By Piet Haaksma (Nl)

Category Plants And Fungi Highly Commended: 'Leverbloempjes' By Piet Haaksma (Nl)

Piet Haaksma Report

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WilvanderHeijden
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Liverleaves. But Liverflowers would be the more correct translation.

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#43

Category Nature Highly Commended: 'Mid Winter Colours' By Staffan Widstrand ( Se)

Category Nature Highly Commended: 'Mid Winter Colours' By Staffan Widstrand ( Se)

Staffan Widstrand Report

#44

Category Black And White Runner-Up: 'Exchange Wild' By Alain Ernoult (Fr)

Category Black And White Runner-Up: 'Exchange Wild' By Alain Ernoult (Fr)

Alain Ernoult Report

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Rowlie
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The lion look a bit like Morgan Freeman or it's just my cold medicine

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#45

Category Man And Nature Highly Commended: 'Help Us' By Tom Svensson (Se)

Category Man And Nature Highly Commended: 'Help Us' By Tom Svensson (Se)

Tom Svensson Report

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Desiré Yen
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wish God never created greed, then at least our beautiful planet would stand a chance😔

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#46

Category Fred Hazelhoff Portfolio Award Winner: 'Cuejdel My Lake' By Gheorghe Popa (Ro)

Category Fred Hazelhoff Portfolio Award Winner: 'Cuejdel My Lake' By Gheorghe Popa (Ro)

Gheorghe Popa Report

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#47

Category Plants And Fungi Runner-Up: ' In The Forest Kingdom' By Juan Jesús González Ahumada (Es)

Category Plants And Fungi Runner-Up: ' In The Forest Kingdom' By Juan Jesús González Ahumada (Es)

Juan Jesús González Ahumada Report

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#48

Category Underwater Highly Commended: 'Jewel Fairy Basslet' By Gabriel Barathieu (Fr)

Category Underwater Highly Commended: 'Jewel Fairy Basslet' By Gabriel Barathieu (Fr)

Gabriel Barathieu Report

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#49

Category Man And Nature Winner: 'Lonely' By Luke Massey (Es)

Category Man And Nature Winner: 'Lonely' By Luke Massey (Es)

Luke Massey Report

#50

Category Underwater Highly Commended: ' Close Inspection' By Wade Hughes (Au)

Category Underwater Highly Commended: ' Close Inspection' By Wade Hughes (Au)

Wade Hughes Report

#51

Category Nature Highly Commended: 'Turned Waterwaves' By Jeroen Scheffers (Nl)

Category Nature Highly Commended: 'Turned Waterwaves' By Jeroen Scheffers (Nl)

Jeroen Scheffers Report

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#52

Category Youth Highly Commended: 'Living On The Edge' By Carlos Perez Naval (Es)

Category Youth Highly Commended: 'Living On The Edge' By Carlos Perez Naval (Es)

Carlos Perez Naval Report

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#53

Category Birds Runner-Up: 'Disagreement' By Francis De Andrés De Miguel (Es)

Category Birds Runner-Up: 'Disagreement' By Francis De Andrés De Miguel (Es)

Francis De Andrés De Miguel Report

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Rowlie
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When You're mad as hell but still can't live without each other

#54

Category Landscape Runner-Up: 'Amoebe' By Luis Manuel Vilariño Lopez (Es)

Category Landscape Runner-Up: 'Amoebe' By Luis Manuel Vilariño Lopez (Es)

Luis Manuel Vilariño Lopez Report

#55

Category Man And Nature Runner-Up: 'White Rhino Trophies' By Britta Jaschinski (UK)

Category Man And Nature Runner-Up: 'White Rhino Trophies' By Britta Jaschinski (UK)

Britta Jaschinski Report

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Carol Emory
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Can we start banning big game hunting? It's no longer necessary and quite infuriating!!

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#56

Category Fred Hazelhoff Portfolio Award Winner: 'Cuejdel My Lake' By Gheorghe Popa (Ro)

Category Fred Hazelhoff Portfolio Award Winner: 'Cuejdel My Lake' By Gheorghe Popa (Ro)

Gheorghe Popa Report

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#57

Category Fred Hazelhoff Portfolio Award Winner: 'Cuejdel My Lake' By Gheorghe Popa (Ro)

Category Fred Hazelhoff Portfolio Award Winner: 'Cuejdel My Lake' By Gheorghe Popa (Ro)

Gheorghe Popa Report

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#58

Category Birds Highly Commended: ' In A Dream' By Krzysztof Wojciechowski (Pl)

Category Birds Highly Commended: ' In A Dream' By Krzysztof Wojciechowski (Pl)

Krzysztof Wojciechowski Report

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#59

Category Nature Runner-Up: 'Quassia Muse' By Bart Siebelink (Nl)

Category Nature Runner-Up: 'Quassia Muse' By Bart Siebelink (Nl)

Bart Siebelink Report

#60

Category Landscapes Of The Lage Landen Winner: 'Galloways Under The Bridge' By Karin De Jonge (Nl)

Category Landscapes Of The Lage Landen Winner: 'Galloways Under The Bridge' By Karin De Jonge (Nl)

Karin de Jonge Report

#61

Category Landscapes Of The Lage Landen Runner-Up: 'Snake' By Sam Mannaerts (Be)

Category Landscapes Of The Lage Landen Runner-Up: 'Snake' By Sam Mannaerts (Be)

Sam Mannaerts Report

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#62

Category Fred Hazelhoff Portfolio Award Winner: 'Cuejdel My Lake' By Gheorghe Popa (Ro)

Category Fred Hazelhoff Portfolio Award Winner: 'Cuejdel My Lake' By Gheorghe Popa (Ro)

Gheorghe Popa Report

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#63

Category Fred Hazelhoff Portfolio Award Winner: 'Cuejdel My Lake' By Gheorghe Popa (Ro)

Category Fred Hazelhoff Portfolio Award Winner: 'Cuejdel My Lake' By Gheorghe Popa (Ro)

Gheorghe Popa Report

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#64

Category Fred Hazelhoff Portfolio Award Winner: 'Cuejdel My Lake' By Gheorghe Popa (Ro)

Category Fred Hazelhoff Portfolio Award Winner: 'Cuejdel My Lake' By Gheorghe Popa (Ro)

Gheorghe Popa Report

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#65

Category Fred Hazelhoff Portfolio Award Winner: 'Cuejdel My Lake' By Gheorghe Popa (Ro)

Category Fred Hazelhoff Portfolio Award Winner: 'Cuejdel My Lake' By Gheorghe Popa (Ro)

Gheorghe Popa Report

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#66

Category Landscapes Of The Lage Landen Highly Commended: 'Erik Steen Redeker' By Michel Lucas (Nl)

Category Landscapes Of The Lage Landen Highly Commended: 'Erik Steen Redeker' By Michel Lucas (Nl)

Michel Lucas Report

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#67

Category Fred Hazelhoff Portfolio Award Winner: 'Cuejdel My Lake' By Gheorghe Popa (Ro)

Category Fred Hazelhoff Portfolio Award Winner: 'Cuejdel My Lake' By Gheorghe Popa (Ro)

Gheorghe Popa Report

#68

Category Fred Hazelhoff Portfolio Award Winner: 'Cuejdel My Lake' By Gheorghe Popa (Ro)

Category Fred Hazelhoff Portfolio Award Winner: 'Cuejdel My Lake' By Gheorghe Popa (Ro)

Gheorghe Popa Report

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