Doug Perrine / Bryde's whale {Balaenoptera brydei / edeni} with throat pleats expanded after feeding on baitball of Sardines {Sardinops sagax} off Baja California, Mexico, Eastern Pacific Ocean. Veolia Environnement...

Peter Cairns / 2020VISION / Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) at surface of a loch after diving for a fish, Cairngorms National Park, Scotland, UK, July.

Denis-Huot / African Elephant (Loxodonta africana) tusks being burnt after confiscation from poachers. Nairobi National Park, Kenya, 1990.

Aflo / Composite image of tick showing how its body expands after feeding

XI ZHINONG / Grey wolf (Canis lupus) chasing a wounded tibetan wild ass (Equus kiang) Kekexili, Qinghai, China, December.

Mark MacEwen / Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas) returning to sea after Egg laying, Raine Island, Australia. Raine Island is the largest and most important green sea turtle nesting area in the world, with over 14,00...

Mark Carwardine / Stephen Fry and Mark Carwadine after a mud bath in Borneo, filming for BBC TV series 'Last Chance to See', March 2009

Andy Trowbridge / Cathedral Cove just after sunrise, Hahei, Coromandel Peninsula, Thames-Coromandel District, Waikato Region, New Zealand. November, 2006.

Paul D Stewart / 1881 portrait of Charles Robert Darwin (12 February 1809 - 19 April 1882) English Naturalist and author of the Origin of Species. 1922 Hand coloured portrait aquatint of Darwin by G. Sidney Hunt after...

Nick Upton / 2020VISION / Flock of young Common / Eurasian Cranes (Grus grus) walking and flying after two surrogate parents dressed in grey holding model adult crane heads. The Great Crane Project, Somerset, UK, September 201...

Cheryl-Samantha Owen / Cape Gannet (Morus capensis) juvenile released at sea near Robben Island, Table Bay, after hand rearing and rehabilitation at the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SAN...

Cheryl-Samantha Owen / Cape Gannet (Morus capensis) released after hand rearing and rehabilitation at the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) this Cape gannet is released at sea near...

Cheryl-Samantha Owen / Cape Gannet (Morus capensis) juvenile being transported by boat in a cardbord box. To be released after hand rearing and rehabilitation at the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coast...

Cheryl-Samantha Owen / Cape Gannet (Morus capensis) juvenile being transported by boat in a cardbord box. To be released after hand rearing and rehabilitation at the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coast...

Cheryl-Samantha Owen / Cape gannet (Morus capensis) drying after a swim in the pool. Its feathers are still coated in oil and once the bird is strong enough it will be washed. Southern African Foundation for the Conservatio...

Cheryl-Samantha Owen / Cape gannet (Morus capensis) drying in a heated pen (a heat lamp illuminates the pen with a red light) after its first wash, which removed some of the oil that coated its feathers. Some oil remains on...

Cheryl-Samantha Owen / Cape Gannet (Morus capensis) being rinsed after a wash with soap to remove the oil that coated its feathers at the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB). Vulnerab...

Cheryl-Samantha Owen / Black footed penguin (Spheniscus demersus) about to be released at sea near Robben Island in Table Bay, after rehabilitation at Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCC...

Cheryl-Samantha Owen / Cape gannet (Morus capensis) being washed to remove the oil that coats it feathers. After it will be hand reared in rehabilitation at the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal B...

Andrew Parkinson / Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) adult with feather of collared dove in beak, after making kill. Derbyshire, UK, November. (Non-ex)

Mark Hamblin / 2020VISION / Barley straw bales in field after harvest, Inverness-shire, Scotland, UK, October

Juergen Freund / Crate of Spectacled flying fox (Pteropus conspicillatus) babies just arrived by plane from Brisbane after months of care, ready to be returned to the Tolga Bat Hospital for release back to the wild, A...

Jack Dykinga / Life returning after seasonal rains to burnt forest, Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest devastation of the 'Wallow Fire', Arizona, USA August 2011

Peter Cairns / 2020VISION / Forest of scots pine after heavy snowfall, Cairngorms National Park, Scotland, March 2012. Did you know? Like many orchids, Scots pine trees have a symbiotic relationship with fungi - while the tree p...

Paul Harris / 2020VISION / Stubble left in fields after harvest, Haregill Lodge Farm, Ellingstring, North Yorkshire, England, UK, September. Did you know? The unique culture, history and dialect of Yorkshire is celebrated on th...

Konstantin Mikhailov / The upper forest belt in Altai Mountains after first snowfall, Katunsky Range with Siberian larch trees (Larus sibirica rufous) and Siberian pine trees (Pinus sibirica) Mt.Belukha Nature park, South-...

Mark Hamblin / 2020VISION / Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) alighting at pool to collect mud for nest building. Inverness-shire, Scotland, June .Did you know? Due to the distances that Swallows travel, it was traditional for sail...

Mark Hamblin / 2020VISION / Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula artica) adult on breeding cliffs. Hermaness NNR, Shetland, UK, June. Did you know? After the breeding season puffins lose their bright beaks and the colourful markings arou...

Martin Dohrn / Cardinal fish (Apogon sp) moments after it has mistakenly tried to eat an ostracod. The ostracod then releases glowing mucus that is so bright that it can be seen through the body of the fish. This gi...

David Tipling / 2020VISION / Soon to fledge Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) chick after being ringed by Tim Appleton, Site Manager at Rutland Water. UK, June.

Nick Upton / Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) drake sliding on fresh snow after landing on frozen lake surface, Wiltshire, UK, February

Erlend Haarberg / Muskox (Ovibos moschatus) shaking off snow after snowstorm, Dovrefjell-Sunndalsfjella National Park, Norway, March

Erlend Haarberg / Male Long-tailed duck (Clangula hyemalis) in flight, just after taking off, Myvatn, Iceland, June

Roland Seitre / Mauricio dos Santos with a captive bred Spix's macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii), critically endangered species, site of the first attempts to breed Spix's macaw after their extinction in the wild, Recife, P...

Ernie Janes / Cley Beach with retreating wave patterns, after sunset, Norfolk, UK January

Rob Jordan / 2020VISION / Signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) in a defensive posture after being caught by The Tweed Foundation monitoring the species population and spread on the River Till, Northumberland, England, UK...

Rob Jordan / 2020VISION / Signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) in a defensive posture after being caught by The Tweed Foundation monitoring the species population and spread on the River Till, Northumberland, England, UK...

Andy Sands / Glow Worm (Lampyris noctiluca) female glowing after dark. Hertfordshire, England, UK, July.

Andy Sands / Glow Worm (Lampyris noctiluca) female glowing after dark. Hertfordshire, England, Uk, July.

Roy Mangersnes / Polar bear (Ursus maritimus) holding piece of ice after licking off freshwater, Spitsbergen, Svalbard, Norway, August

Roy Mangersnes / Person stretching after waking up on the Pulpit Rock, 604 meters above the Lysefjorden, Rogaland, Norway, Scandinavia, Model released

Chris Gomersall / 2020VISION / Dark-bellied brent goose (Branta bernicla) feeding on shore just after high water, The Wash, Norfolk, England, UK, January 2012

Andrew Parkinson / 2020VISION / Two Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) ducklings standing up to shake their wings after bathing, Derbyshire, England, UK, June

Brent Stephenson / Weddell Seal (Leptonychotes weddellii) with wet fur after hauling onto a beach. Neko Harbour, Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica, December.

Nick Upton / 2020VISION / Black slug (Arion ater), brown form, crawling over patio after rain, with house and garden bench in the background, Wiltshire, UK, July . Property released.

Alex Hyde / African moon moth (Argema mimosae) digital composite sequence, showing wings expanding after emerging from cocoon, photographed against a white background, orginating from Africa. Captive.

Mark Hamblin / 2020VISION / Mountain hare (Lepus timidus) in winter coat coming to a stop after running, Scotland, UK, February

Gary K. Smith / Domestic sheep (Ovis aries) being moved from pen at livestock market after auction, Hawes Mart, Yorkshire, UK, September 2011

Nick Garbutt / Mist and low cloud hanging over lowland rainforest, just after sunrise, with Menggaris Tree (Koompassia excelsa) prominent in the foreground. Danum Valley, Sabah, Borneo.

Terry Whittaker / 2020VISION / Red deer (Cervus elaphus) stag with steaming breath after fight, rutting season, Bushy Park, London, UK, October. Did you know? Red deer antlers are can grow 2.5 cm a day.

Mark Hamblin / 2020VISION / Research scientist replacing Hen harrier chick (Circus cyaneus) to nest after ringing, Glen Tanar Estate, Grampian, Scotland, UK, June 2011

Mark Hamblin / 2020VISION / Research scientists fitting satellite transmitter to Hen harrier chick (Circus cyaneus) for tracking movements after fledging. Glen Tanar Estate, Grampian, Scotland, UK, June 2011. Winner, documentary...

Nick Upton / 2020VISION / 'Minnie', 'Squidgy' and 'Vince', three of the flock of Common / Eurasian cranes (Grus grus) a year after release by the Great Crane Project onto the Somerset Levels and Moors, with adult plumage devel...

Graham Eaton / Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) covering her nest with sand after egg laying. Cayenne, French Guiana, July.

George Sanker / Limber Pine (Pinus flexilis). Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, USA, October 2010. Famous patriarch tree of the Grand Tetons just after fall snowstorm. Winner: World Landscapes category in the Outdo...

Laurent Geslin / African lion (Panthera leo) two cubs licking blood off their faces after feeding on Wildebeest carcass, Masai Mara reserve, Kenya

Andy Rouse / Grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) shaking dry after fishing for salmon, Katmai NP, Alaska, USA, August

Mark Hamblin / 2020VISION / Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) adult in breeding plumage, Scotland, UK, June. Did you know? Lapwings are able to run just moments after hatching.

Jeff Wilson / Crew member of the US coastguard ship 'Healy' standing on the sea ice in front of the ship's hull after the ship became stuck in the ice, Bering Sea, Alaska, USA, March 2008. Taken on location for the...

Klaus Echle / After being trapped in an empty shed, Badger (Meles meles) passes wall decorated with graffiti on its way back to the forest. Baden-Wuerttemburg, Germany, May 2010. Winner of the Man and Nature catego...

Kristel Richard / Konik horses (Equus caballus) - Two wild Konik young colts running one after the other, Millingerwaard nature reserve, Netherlands, April

Nigel Bean / Cheddar Gorge after snowfall. Somerset, UK, February 2009.

Georgette Douwma / Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) swimming down after taking a breath. Rinca, Komodo National Park, Indonesia.

Terry Whittaker / 2020VISION / Grey heron (Ardea cinerea) standing on ice feeding on fish bought by visitors from supermarket, Reddish Vale Country Park, Greater Manchester, UK. Photographer quote: "It's great to see herons in loca...

Mark Hamblin / 2020VISION / Mountain hare (Lepus timidus) in winter coat, running across snow, Cairngorms NP, Scotland, January 2010. Photographer quote: "After 4 hours of trudging through deep snow I was completely exhausted an...

John MacPherson / 2020VISION / Two Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) breaching, Moray Firth, Inverness-shire, Scotland, UK, August. Photographer quote: 'After several frustrating hours with too short a lens and dolphins too...

Juergen Freund / Island children playing in the sea after school. They spend the whole time there until it gets dark and are called home for dinner. M'buke Island, New Ireland, Papua New Guinea, June 2010.

Eric Baccega / Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus) mother with her 3-month cub, soon after emerging from their hibernation den. Wapusk National Park, Manitoba, Canada, March.

Diane McAllister / Mute swan (Cygnus olor) parent guiding its six cygnets back to the pond after feeding on grasses. Manzanita Lake, Reno, Nevada, USA, May

Juergen Freund / Siltation underwater from a river after the rains with diver, Papua New Guinea

LYNN M. STONE / Trumpeter Swans (Cygnus buccinator) with heads up after dipping to feed in shallow waters. Mississippi River, Minnesota, USA, February.

Andy Rouse / Mountain Gorilla (Gorilla beringei) male and female after mating. Rwanda, Africa

Juergen Freund / Anthea Melsen smiles shyly as she comes out of the water after looking at her grandfather's coral and clam gardens, Onma Lodge, Kolombangara, Western Province, Solomon Islands, July 2010

Andy Rouse / Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) running through water after salmon. Katmai, Alaska, USA, August.

Andy Rouse / Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) running through water after salmon. Katmai, Alaska, USA, August.

Andy Rouse / Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) chasing through water after salmon. Katmai, Alaska, USA, August.

Andy Rouse / Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos) on the move in late evening light after heavy rain. Alaska, USA, June.

Peter Cairns / 2020VISION / Pair of Gannets (Morus bassanus) mutual preening, Bass Rock, Firth of Forth, Scotland, UK, June. Photographer quote: 'I never get tired of watching gannets. This pair who momentarily lined up in perfe...

Peter Cairns / 2020VISION / Sunset over Loch Laggan, Creag Meagaidh NNR, Highland, Scotland, UK, December 2010. Photographer quote: "I've got to admit I wasn't happy after a fruitless flat grey day in the hills. And then, as if...

Anup Shah / Black-backed jackal (Canis mesomelas) male defending a kill from vultures after lions have finished - wide angle perspective, Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya. February

Anup Shah / Eastern White-bearded Wildebeest herd (Connochaetes taurinus) and Common / Plains zebra (Equus quagga burchellii) running away from the Mara River after crossing - wide angle perspective. Masai Mara N...

Anup Shah / Eastern White-bearded Wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus) herd running after crossing Mara river, wide angle perspective. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya. September

Marie Read / Taughannock Falls, near Ithaca, New York, in autumn after a day of heavy rainfall. October 2010. At 215 feet, Taughannock Falls is 33 feet taller than Niagara Falls.

Juan Carlos Munoz / Piebald / Commerson's dolphin (Cephalorhynchus commersonii) entering the water after a jump. Deseado River, Puerto Deseado, Patagonia, Argentina, Nov 2008

Juan Carlos Munoz / Southern right whale (Eubalaena australis / Balaena glacialis australis) entering the water after breaching. Valdes Peninsula, Patagonia, Argentina, Oct 2008

Juan Carlos Munoz / Great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) leaping out of the water after prey. False Bay, South Africa, July 2010

Anup Shah / Black-backed jackal (Canis mesomelas) male defending a kill from vultures after lions have finished Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya. February

Anup Shah / Topi female (Damaliscus lunatus jimela) with her new-born calf, eating the placenta after it has been delivered. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya. October 2009.

Charlie Summers / African Elephant (Loxodonta africana) baby running after the group to reunite with its mother. Etosha National Park, Namibia, Southern Africa

Doug Perrine / Bryde's whale (Balaenoptera brydei / edeni) expeling air and water from mouth through baleen plates after engulfing part of a baitball of Sardines (Clupeidae) with California sea lion (Tetreapturus au...

Roberto Rinaldi / Wreck of crude oil super-tanker "Amoco Milford Haven", populated by shoals Swallowtail anthias (Anthias anthias) and Bogues (Boops boops). The tanker sank on April 14th, 1991 after three days of fire....

Roberto Rinaldi / Stern of crude oil super-tanker "Milford Haven", which sank on April 14th, 1991 after three days of fire. Genoa, Italy, 2007.

Konstantin Mikhailov / Birch trees weighed down by weight of ice, which formed after rain in December, and was then covered with snow. Many trees have broken and branches are bent to the ground by the weight. This unusual...

Konstantin Mikhailov / Trees weighed down by weight of ice, which formed after rain in December, and was then covered with snow. Many trees have broken and branches are bent to the ground by the weight. This unusual phenom...

Floris van Breugel / Warm sunlight after a snowstorm reveals intricate patterns in the 'Painted Hills' caused by slowly eroding rich fossil beds, in the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Oregon, USA. December 2009

Floris van Breugel / Burnt trees after a station fire near Los Angeles, Southern California, USA, September 2009