John Shaw / Violet-tailed sylph hummingbird (Aglaiocercus coelestis) in flight, about to land. Ecuador, May.

SCOTLAND: The Big Picture / Turnstones (Arenaria interpres) and Purple sandpipers (Calidris maritima) over wintering on the beaches of the Orkney Isles, Scotland, UK, April.

Marie Read / Abstract patterns of reflected sky and clouds on the ocean with a silhouetted Red-faced cormorant (Phalarocorax urile) in flight, St. Paul Island, Pribilof Islands, Alaska, USA, July.

Paul Hobson / Violet sabrewing hummingbird (Campylopterus hemileucurus) nectaring on Orchid. Costa Rica.

Thomas Marent / Sparkling Violet-ear (Colibri coruscans) hummingbird bathing, Bogota, Colombia

Ann & Steve Toon / Orange-breasted sunbird (Anthobaphes violacea), Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Cape Town, South Africa, September

Juergen Freund / Timelapse of a Scolymia coral (Mussidae) feeding, lit with a UV light, Cairns, North Queensland, Australia.

Bernard Castelein / Waterviolet / featherfoil (Hottonia palustris) at sunset, Groot Schietveld, Wuustwezel, Belgium

Glenn Bartley/ BIA / Green Violet-ear (Colibri thalassinus) hummingbird, Colombia

Melvin Grey / Violet sabrewing hummingbird (Campylopterus hemileucurus) hummingbird male flying, feeding from flower, Juan Castro National Park Costa Rica.

Melvin Grey / Violet-tailed sylph hummingbird (Aglaiocercus coelestis) hummingbird adult male, approaching flower to feed, Tandayapa, Ecuador

Philippe Clement / Long-spurred violet (Viola calcarata) in flower, Val Veny, Italian Alps, Italy, June