John Chan / Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) feeding on a fish, perched on a dead branch, Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, California, USA, October.

John Chan / Honey bees (Apis mellifera) gathering at the entrance to their nest in a hollowed log, Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, California, USA, September.

John Chan / Honey bees (Apis mellifera) gathering at the entrance of their nest in a hollow log, with some returning workers carrying pollen baskets, Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, California, USA, October.

Murray Cooper / Mangrove (Rhizophora sp) aerial roots, Cayapas Mataje Ecological Reserve, Ecuador

Murray Cooper / Mangrove (Rhizophora sp) trees, Cayapas Mataje Ecological Reserve, Ecuador

Sebastian Kennerknecht / Snowy Plover (Charadrius nivosus) biologist, Ben Pearl, picking up chick from mud flat in salt pond, Eden Landing Ecological Reserve, Union City, Bay Area, California

Pete Oxford / Alpaca (Lama pacos) pair, Antisana Ecological Reserve, Ecuador

Nick Garbutt / Female Capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) swimming in line with young after escaping a Jaguar attack (Panthera onca palustris) in a lagoon off the Paraguay River. Taiama Ecological Reserve, Pantanal...

Marie Read / Western grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis) pair swimming, with reflections, Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, California, USA, February

Adrian Davies / Insect hotel / Artificial nest holes and shelter for insects and invertebrates, in garden, England, UK, August 2010

Adrian Davies / Insect hotel / Artificial nest holes and shelter for insects and invertebrates, in garden, England, UK, August 2010

Marie Read / Black Skimmer (Rynchops nigra), skimming with its open beak just below the water's surface in search of prey, Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, California, USA (Digitally retouched image - space added...