Rod Williams / Peacock praying mantis (Pseudempusa pinnapavonis) female in defensive display with colourful wings. Captive, found in Thailand.

Rod Williams / Yellow-banded Poison Dart Frog (Dendrobates leucomelas) sitting on colourful variegated leaves. Captive, found in Brazil, Guyana, Venezuela

Guy Edwardes / Seljalandsfoss falls, Southern Iceland, June 2009

Guy Edwardes / Sunset over Val D'Orcia, Tuscany, Italy April 2010

Guy Edwardes / Sunrise over "The Belvedere" (Tuscan farmhouse) and the Val d'Orcia, San Quirico d'Orcia,Tuscany, Italy April 2010

Guy Edwardes / Superb Starling (Lamprotornis superbus) with wing raised as a threat to nearby rival. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, Africa, February

Alex Hyde / Helmet Vanga (Euryceros prevostii) on nest incubating eggs. Masoala Peninsula National Park, north east Madagascar. IUCN Vulnerable Species.

Georgette Douwma / Golden damselfish (Amblyglyphidodon aureus) swimming past coral reef wall with colourful soft corals. Bali, Indonesia.

Edwin Giesbers / Deep blue carpet of Bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta / Endymion scriptum) flowering in Beech wood with Sycamore sapling, Hallerbos, Belgium, April

Graham Eaton / Snake Pipefish (Entelurus aequoreus) head portrait in profile in weed, Cardigan Bay, Wales, May.

Mary McDonald / Chestnut-mandibled Toucan (Ramphastos ambiguus swainsonii) adult bird perched on the edge of the forest. Laguana del Lagarto, Costa Rica, Central America.

Bryan and Cherry Alexander / Tourist photographing group of Sami men in traditional costume. Kautokeino, Norway, 1972.

Michael D. Kern / Rainbow millipede (Aulacobolus rubropunctatus) captive

Michel Roggo / Underwater landscape in mountain creek, Swiss Alps, Gruyre, Fribourg, Switzerland, January

Michel Roggo / Underwater landscape in mountain creek, Swiss Alps, Gruyre, Fribourg, Switzerland, December

Michel Roggo / Underwater landscape in Verzasca River, Ticino, Switzerland, February

Michel Roggo / Underwater landscape beneath ice in Aare river tributary, Canton of Berne, Switzerland, January

Laurent Geslin / Rabbit grooming, on grass in park, with the Arc de Triomphe behind, Paris, France, April 2010.

Nick Garbutt / Three Mossy Leaf-tailed Geckos (Uroplatus sikorae) in differing colour morphs. From forest understorey at night. Masoala National Park, Madagascar. Photographed on white background

Georgette Douwma / Loki whip goby (Bryaninopss loki) on Sea pen (Virgularia gustaviana). Komodo National Park, Indonesia

Georgette Douwma / Purple sea pen (Virgularia gustaviana) on sandy sea bed. Rinca, Indonesia

Georgette Douwma / Sea pen (Virgularia gustaviana) with a small porcelain crab on sandy sea bed, purple form. Rinca, Indonesia.

Anup Shah / Grey / Southern Crowned crane (Balearica regulorum) head portrait with crest raised, Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya. March.

Ross Hoddinott / Burton Bradstock beach at sunset, looking toward West Bay, West Dorset, UK. January 2010.

Paul Hobson / Mallard drake (Anas platyrhynchos) portrait of male on water, with autumn colours reflecting. Lancashire, England, UK. November.

Paul Hobson / Mallard drake (Anas platyrhynchos) male on water, with autumn colours reflecting. Lancashire, England, UK. November.

Paul Hobson / Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) perched on snow covered tree branch, Yorkshire, England, UK. December.

Konstantin Mikhailov / Trumpeter Swans (Cygnus buccinator) on lake, during migration through Denali mountainous tundra area, Denali Road in Alaska, North America. September.

Konstantin Mikhailov / Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) on lake, during migration through Denali mountainous tundra area, Denali Road in Alaska, North America. September.

Russell Cooper / Six Spot Burnet Moth (Zygaena filipendulae) at rest on flowering Ragwort, South London, England, UK.

Andy Rouse / Wood Warbler (Phylloscopus sibilatrix) close up, perched on branch in Oak (Quercus) woodlands, Snowdonia NP, Wales, UK, May.

Andy Rouse / Wood Warbler (Phylloscopus sibilatrix) perched on branch in Oak (Quercus) woodlands, Snowdonia NP, Wales, UK, May.

Andy Rouse / Wood Warbler (Phylloscopus sibilatrix) perched on branch in Oak (Quercus) woodlands, Snowdonia NP, Wales, UK, May.

Jouan & Rius / Wave rock, an eroded granite plateau, Hyden area, Western Australia. August 2009

Jouan & Rius / Wave rock, an eroded granite plateau, Hyden area, Western Australia. August 2009

Bence Mate / Head portraits of King vulture (Sarcoramphus papa) right, and Black vulture (Coragyps atratus) left. Santa Rita, Costa Rica. WINNER: Eric Hosking Award portfolio image 6/6 - Wildlife Photographer of t...

Shattil & Rozinski / Broad-tailed hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus) hovering over Rocky Mountain Irises (Iris missouriensis) flowering in pasture, Wyoming, USA, North America

Rolf Nussbaumer / Yellow Waterlily (Nymphaea mexicana) flowers, with reflections, Fennessey Ranch, Refugio, Coastal Bend, Texas, USA

Rolf Nussbaumer / Single White Prickly Poppy (Argemone albiflora) flower, in wildflower meadow, Fennessey Ranch, Refugio, Coastal Bend, Texas Coast, USA

Rolf Nussbaumer / White Prickly Poppy (Argemone albiflora) flowering in wildflower meadow, Fennessey Ranch, Refugio, Coastal Bend, Texas Coast, USA

Rolf Nussbaumer / Wine-Cup (Callirhoe involucrata) in flower, Fennessey Ranch, Refugio, Corpus Christi, Coastal Bend, Texas Coast, USA

Rolf Nussbaumer / Texas horse crippler cactus (Echinocactus texensis) in flower, Coastal Bend, Texas Coast, USA

Rolf Nussbaumer / Texas Paintbrush (Castilleja indivisa) in field of Huisache Daisies (Amblyolepis setigera) Fennessey Ranch, Refugio, Coastal Bend, Texas Coast, USA

Rolf Nussbaumer / Close up of Texas Paintbrush (Castilleja indivisa) flowering, Fennessey Ranch, Refugio, Coastal Bend, Texas Coast, USA

Rolf Nussbaumer / Texas Bluebonnet (Lupinus texensis) flowering in wildflower field, Fennessey Ranch, Refugio, Coastal Bend, Texas Coast, USA

Rolf Nussbaumer / Texas Bluebonnet (Lupinus texensis) flowering in wildflower field, Fennessey Ranch, Refugio, Coastal Bend, Texas Coast, USA

Rolf Nussbaumer / Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) female feeding on flowering Texas Paintbrush (Castilleja indivisa) Fennessey Ranch, Refugio, Coastal Bend, Texas Coast, USA

Rolf Nussbaumer / Detail of Pointed Phlox (Phlox cuspidata) flower, Fennessey Ranch, Refugio, Corpus Christi, Coastal Bend, Texas Coast, USA

Rolf Nussbaumer / Painted Bunting (Passerina ciris) and an Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) feeding on Manchurian wild rice (Zizania latifolia) Port Aransas, Mustang Island, Coastal Bend, Texas Coast, USA

Rolf Nussbaumer / Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) male perched on branch of Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia) New Braunfels, San Antonio, Hill Country, Central Texas, USA

Rolf Nussbaumer / Blue-throated Hummingbird (Lampornis clemenciae) male feeding on flowering Claret Cup Cactus (Echinocereus triglochidiatus) Chisos Basin, Chisos Mountains, Big Bend National Park, Chihuahuan Desert, W...

Rolf Nussbaumer / Buff-bellied Hummingbird (Amazilia yucatanenensis) feeding on Tropical Sage (Salvia coccinea) Sinton, Corpus Christi, Coastal Bend, Texas Coast, USA

David Woodfall / Pile of scrap cars prior to being recycled. England, UK July 2009

David Woodfall / Pile of scrap cars prior to being recycled. England, UK July 2009

Edwin Giesbers / Alkanet flowers (Anchusa sp) Menorca, Balearic Islands, Spain, Europe

Edwin Giesbers / Map lichen (Rhizocarpon geographicum) on rock, Menorca, Balearic Islands, Spain, Europe

Tim Laman / Wild orchid (Phalaenopsis pantherina) in flower from the rainforest of Borneo. Sabah State, Malaysia.

Tim Laman / Wild orchid (Phalaenopsis pantherina) in flower from the rainforest of Borneo. Sabah State, Malaysia.

Colin Varndell / Early purple orchid (Orchis mascula) Hardington Moor, Somerset, UK

Stephen Dalton / Maple (Acer sp) leaves in autumn

Aflo / ic-10501 Scarlet macaw preening {Ara macao}

Aflo / ic-14206 Pair of Lovebirds perched {Agapornis sp}

Aflo / N-17405 Sunflower {Helianthus annuus}

Tim Laman / Rainbow lorikeets (Trichoglossus haematodus moluccanus) native to Eastern Australia, captive

Alan Watson / Alpine paintbrush (Castilleja rhexifolia) in an alpine meadow along the Rockwall trail, Kootenay National Park, British Columbia, Canada. (World Heritage Site)July 2009

Neil Lucas / Common poppies (Papaver rhoeas) and Corn marigold (Chrysanthemum segetum) growing in a Wheat field, UK

Jeff Rotman / Close-up of the eye of a Jewel Grouper / Coral hind (Cephalopholis Miniata) Red Sea, Egypt

Jeff Rotman / Detail of dorsal fin of Bluespine Unicornfish (Naso Unicornis) Red Sea, Egypt

Jeff Rotman / Jewel Grouper / Coral hind (Cephalopholis Miniata) with mouth open, Red Sea, Egypt

Jeff Rotman / Close up of Goggle eye / Bigeye fish (Priacanthus hamrur) Red Sea, Egypt

Georgette Douwma / Bigscale soldierfish (Myripristis berndti), Sweetlips, Philippine chromis with Blueline snappers in background. Komodo National Park, Indonesia

Georgette Douwma / Coral reef scenery with Gorgonian and shoal of Pygmy / Glassy sweepers (Parapriacanthus guentheri) Egypt, Red Sea

Miles Barton / Panamanian Golden Frog (Atelopus ziteki) Panama, Featured in BBC NHU series 'Life in Cold Blood'. Species now extinct in the wild

Gary K. Smith / Blue tit (Parus caeruleus) perching amongst crab apples, UK, November

Gary K. Smith / Miniature cultivated Autumn chrysanthemums, planted in galvanised containers on garden patio, Norfolk, UK, October

Thomas Lazar / Sunlight creating a rainbow in the spray of the Bridalveil Falls, Yosemite National Park, California, USA, June 2008

Bernard Castelein / Two children looking through decorated window of traditional building. Tamang ethnic group, Tamang heritage trail, Gadlang, Langtang region, Nepal. November 2009

Bernard Castelein / Two children looking through decorated window of traditional building. Tamang ethnic group, Tamang heritage trail, Gadlang, Langtang region, Nepal. November 2009

Peter Lewis / Six spot burnet moths (Zygaena filipendulae) on flower, Hampshire, England

Peter Lewis / Red Campion (Silene dioica) Pamp Hill, Dorset, England

Stephen Dalton / Green-winged macaw (Ara chloroptera) in flight, controlled conditions, from South America

Paul Hobson / Wild flower meadow in city centre, Sheffield, Yorkshire, UK, August 2009

Paul Hobson / Wild flower meadow in city centre, Sheffield, Yorkshire, UK, August 2009

Edwin Giesbers / Head portrait of male Mandrill (Mandrillus sphinx) Captive. Apenheul zoo; the Netherlands.

Nick Garbutt / Male Panther Chameleon (Furcifer pardalis) in aggresive posture, displaying at its own reflection in a mirror. Masoala National Park, north east Madagascar.

Inaki Relanzon / Baroque altar piece in Nativity of Durro Church, romanesque church from XII century, and UNESCO world heritage, in the Boí Valley, Pyrenees, Lleida, Catalonia, Spain.July 2009

Inaki Relanzon / Mixed forest colours in Autumm in the Ordesa and Monte Perdido National Park, Aragn, Pyrenees, Spain. October 2009

Patricio Robles Gil / Resplendent quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno) male dissapearing into nest hole in tree, El Triunfo biosphere reserve, Sierra Madre del Sur, Chiapas, Mexico

Patricio Robles Gil / Resplendent quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno) male at entrance to nest hole in tree, showing very long tail feathers, cloud forest El Triunfo biosphere reserve, Sierra Madre del Sur, Chiapas, Mexico

Patricio Robles Gil / Rear view of male Himalayan monal pheasant (Lophophorus impejanus) on rock, Sagarmatha National Park, Himalayas, Nepal, December

Patricio Robles Gil / Resplendent quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno) male perched, El Triunfo biosphere reserve, Sierra Madre del Sur, Chiapas, Mexico

Patricio Robles Gil / Resplendent quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno) male at nest hole in tree, El Triunfo biosphere reserve, Sierra Madre del Sur, Chiapas, Mexico

Patricio Robles Gil / Resplendent quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno) male at nest hole in tree, El Triunfo biosphere reserve, Sierra Madre del Sur, Chiapas, Mexico

Patricio Robles Gil / Matador in final stages of bullfight leaps over bull to pierce bull between horns with blade, Plaza de Toros, Mexico City, Mexico Sequence

Dietmar Nill / Hebe tiger moth (Arctia festiva) close up of wings, Germany

Dietmar Nill / Goats beard flower / Meadow salsify (Tragopogon pratensis) with poppies in the background, Germany