It’s the ninth year that the California Academy of Sciences has held the BigPicture Natural World Photography Competition - one of the top wildlife and conservation contests in the world. Like previous years, the winners and finalists of the 2022 awards demonstrated extraordinary talent and mastery in capturing the rich diversity of life on Earth.
Judged by nature and conservation photography experts, the competition’s winners and finalists celebrate Earth’s biodiversity and illustrate the many threats that our planet faces. Scroll down and see for yourself the inspiring images below!
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#1 Aquatic Life Finalist - "Goliath In Lilliput" By Tom Shlesinger
Palm Beach, United States. "While capturing this image, the photographer was reminded of a moment in Gulliver’s Travels: When Gulliver arrives at Lilliput and sees how he towers above the inhabitants, he walks carefully so as not to hurt them. However, it is unlikely that this Goliath Grouper—typically the predator in any scenario—will tread lightly."
Image credits: bigpicturecompetition.org
These images originally appeared on bioGraphic, an independent magazine about nature and conservation powered by the California Academy of Sciences, and media partner of the BigPicture Natural World Photography Competition.
Check out previous articles on Bored Panda showcasing the winners and finalists from years 2021 and 2020.
#2 Aquatic Life Finalist - "Danger In The Mud" By Jens Cullman
Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe. "Though the Mana Pools National Park has been beset by an ongoing drought, this photographer managed to discover a captivating crocodile lying in wait in a nearly dried-out pool. These muddy pools are often the site of wildlife rescues, including two baby elephants in February of 2022."
Image credits: bigpicturecompetition.org
#3 Grand Prize - "Bee Balling" By Karine Aigner
Texas, United States. "A rare moment captured up close: Diadasia rinconis (Cactus Bees) swarming together in a mating ball, each male eager to become companions with a female. Native to America, these bees are considered a solitary species, meaning they live without the hierarchy and structure of their European counterparts—though they still work to pollinate cacti and help plants in the American southwest thrive."
Image credits: bigpicturecompetition.org
#4 Terrestrial Wildlife Finalist - "The Stoat's Game" By Jose Grandio
The French Alps. "Its formerly brown coat now completely white thanks to the cold climate, a stoat makes an unusual appearance from its underground burrow to give our photographer a glimpse during an unexpected wintry jump. Could it be joy?"
Image credits: bigpicturecompetition.org
#5 Human And Nature Finalist - "Dancing Bears" By David Hup
Comanesti, Romania. "Home to 60% of Europe's brown bears, Romania has a complicated relationship with these animals given their increasing presence in human environs. Between Christmas and New Year’s, several communities across Romania don ensembles made from these bears for a ritual aptly called the Dance of the Bears—a dance performed in hopes of chasing away evil spirits and welcoming in the new year."
Image credits: bigpicturecompetition.org
#6 Human And Nature Finalist - "Fox City" By Peter Mather
Whitehorse, Canada. "After working with them for months, this photographer got to know the behavior of the local red foxes well enough to anticipate this one's arrival at a favorite outcrop overlooking the city."
Image credits: bigpicturecompetition.org
#7 Winged Life Finalist - "Beautiful Wings" By Takuya Ishiguro
Osaki-shi Miyagi-ken, Japan. "Taken while the dragonfly rested in a swamp, this photographer’s close-up allows its magnificent wingspan to truly shine. Dragonflies in cooler climates tend to have more color in their wings than their warmer temperature counterparts, which makes a rainbow-winged dragonfly in the historically hot and humid July weather in Japan so dramatic."
Image credits: bigpicturecompetition.org
#8 Terrestrial Wildlife Finalist - "Ghost Of The Mountains" By Sandesh Kadur
Ladakh, India. "Snow leopards are masters of disguise, able to camouflage quickly in their harsh, mountainous habitats. Before technological advancements in trap photography, one could only catch a fleeting glimpse—thus earning them the nickname ‘ghost of the mountains’."
Image credits: bigpicturecompetition.org
#9 Terrestrial Wildlife Winner - "Spider Web" By Bence Mate
Kiskunsag National Park, Hungary. "Once nearing extinction, the European Beaver population now flourishes under new protections, allowing for renewed photography opportunities. However, this beaver’s presence is not the only moment that makes this shot special—a spider in its web clings to the nearly-gnawed-through tree, making for a spectacular, if short-lived, scene."
Image credits: bigpicturecompetition.org
#10 Art Of Nature Finalist - "Hero" By Juan Jesús González Ahumada
Sierra Blanca Natural Park, Spain. "Agave leaves tend to become extremely heavy, sometimes even bending and producing a ‘wound’ that creates unusual textures when it dries. This photographer noticed this particular agave leaf and saw a superhero in the making, taking advantage of the curvature of the leaf, and lighting the scene with his flashlight to produce a single, watchful eye."
Image credits: bigpicturecompetition.org
#11 Landscapes, Waterscapes, And Flora Finalist - "The Forest Nymphs" By Juan Jesús González Ahumada
Sierra Blanca Natural park, Ojén, Málaga, Andalucía, Spain. "These mystical-looking mushrooms (mycelia seynii quél) grow almost exclusively on fallen pine cones. Set against the magical atmosphere of an autumn afternoon, the photographer felt the image evoked visions of fairies."
Image credits: bigpicturecompetition.org
#12 Aquatic Life Winner - "Sea Lion Fall" By David Slater
Monterey Bay, United States. "Batstars encompass a lifeless sea lion at the bottom of Monterey Bay. While this scene appears melancholic, rest assured the sea lion is giving back to the community with which it once swam. When the batstars have had their fill, any number of creatures big and small will be able to derive energy and shelter from what’s left behind for years to come."
Image credits: bigpicturecompetition.org
#13 Terrestrial Wildlife Finalist - "Prey" By Takuya Ishiguro
Osaki-shi Miyagi-ken, Japan. "Normally found in humid grasslands, this Chinese mantid (Tenodera aridifolia) makes an unexpected roadside appearance while devouring its mate—a not uncommon act sometimes, but not always, reserved for when prey is scarce and the female is very hungry."
Image credits: bigpicturecompetition.org
#14 Winged Life Finalist - "A Feathered Home" By Pallavi Laveti
Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, India. "In early November, this photographer went through a challenging process—from a distance, and on a moving boat— to capture images of these prehistoric-looking spot-billed pelican chicks. Her efforts paid off, as she’d hoped to produce a photo that evokes emotions of nurturing and safety."
Image credits: bigpicturecompetition.org
#15 Terrestrial Wildlife Finalist - "Road To Nowhere" By James Gifford
Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, Botswana. "Historically, Botswana's huge expanse of Makgadikgadi Salt Pans sees very little wildlife outside of the rainy season. In 2021, a combination of unusually heavy early rain and an increase in artificial waterholes enticed these wildebeests to embark on their annual migration much earlier than normal. Between the vastness of the salt pans and the network of gamepaths, this herd only appears to be on a road to nowhere. "
Image credits: bigpicturecompetition.org
#16 Art Of Nature Finalist - "The Last Frontier" By Florian Ledoux
Svalbard, Norway. "The dichotomy of sea ice scene, taken from above. On the right side is fast ice, where both man and polar bear can roam, to the left, a beautiful, yet precarious pattern of refreezing ice and drift."
Image credits: bigpicturecompetition.org
#17 Landscapes, Waterscapes, And Flora Finalist - "Ice Cream Cake" By Bart Heirweg
Disko Bay, Ilulissat, Greenland. "A fluffy iceberg set against a gorgeous purple sky, illuminated by a red-hued moon. The photographer hoped to show the soft (serve) side to icebergs, which are often presented as imposing, even threatening subjects. Nature has never looked more delicious!"
Image credits: bigpicturecompetition.org
#18 Landscapes, Waterscapes, And Flora Finalist - "City Of Angels" By Silvano Paiola
Pecinci, Obedska Bara, Serbia. "Spindly, spectral arms reach out as a drone flies overhead—is this a snow-coated black poplar forest or a ghostly retreat?"
Image credits: bigpicturecompetition.org
#19 Aquatic Life Finalist - "Shooting Star" By Tony Wu
Kagoshima, Japan. "An illuminating look at how sea stars reproduce—and it’s not by conjuring lightning! Sea stars spawn; releasing eggs and sperm simultaneously from their arms into the water, where fertilization occurs."
Image credits: bigpicturecompetition.org
#20 Human And Nature Finalist - "Cumbre Vieja Volcano" By Arturo Rodríguez
Canary Islands, Spain. "After chasing the opportunity for nearly two weeks, this photographer was able to accompany intrepid volcanologist Raul Pérez to collect liquid lava samples and measure temperature close to the volcano vent. Though its destruction potential is debated, the Cumbre Vieja Volcano is hypothesized to have the potential to create a megatsunami that could reach as far as North America, making any further discoveries about its volatility extremely important."
Image credits: bigpicturecompetition.org
#21 Human And Nature Finalist - "Blue Steel" By Matt Theophile
Australian National Botanical Gardens, Australia. "A male Bowerbird strikes a pose for a female in the background, surrounded by bright blue bottle caps. It’s all part of an elaborate mating ritual wherein these birds build bowers: two-structure columns made out of sticks and colorful objects. The males then take one or two of the objects in their mouth while dramatically displaying their feathers to the female."
Image credits: bigpicturecompetition.org
#22 Winged Life Winner - "Frame Within A Frame" By Sitaram Raul
Badlapur, India. "A fruit bat majestically makes its way to a custard apple tree for a feast, finding itself perfectly placed within the canopy opening. It’s no coincidence that the framing is so precise; the photographer spent nearly three weeks observing these bats’ behavior as they frequented the fruit tree, learning their habits and finally capturing this photo when the moment presented itself."
Image credits: bigpicturecompetition.org
#23 Winged Life Finalist - "Hey, Good Lookin'" By Benjamin Olson
Baudette, Minnesota, United States. "Perched on a log used to attract mates, this ruffed grouse is displaying for a female just out of frame. The photographer notes that normally the male would be drumming (beating his wings on his chest), but due to the camera trap delay, he instead captured a fanning display—something he’d never seen on a drumming log before."
Image credits: bigpicturecompetition.org
#24 Landscapes, Waterscapes, And Flora Finalist - "Oasis" By Nicolas Raspiengeas
Pelkosenniemi, Finland. "Tucked in the Arctic north of the Finnish Lapland, boreal forests such as these have often been subjects of photography. Hoping to bring a broader vision to a familiar space, this photographer set out to forefront the connection between the forest and nearby wetlands."
Image credits: bigpicturecompetition.org
#25 Winged Life Finalist - "Young Hunters" By Piotr Naskrecki
Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique. "Managing to catch some young saddle-billed storks during an early morning hunt, this photographer found they were a little shy, and thus difficult to photograph. Still, in the early stages of learning to feed themselves, he noticed that as one young stork successfully caught a fish, it would be immediately mobbed by other young storks."
Image credits: bigpicturecompetition.org
#26 Winged Life Finalist - "The Forest Elf" By Mario Cea Sánchez
Salamanca, Spain. "Though a common species in Spain, the Eurasian nuthatch or wood nuthatch (Sitta europaea) is agile and hard to photograph as it spends most of its life in the trees—thus earning the title ‘the forest elf’."
Image credits: bigpicturecompetition.org
#27 Human And Nature Finalist - "Face To Face" By Fernando Constantino Martínez Belmar
Río Secreto Nature Reserve, Mexico. "One of the most emblematic species in Mexico, this endangered jaguar comes face to face with a potential meal. Likely in such a location due to deforestation and habitat destruction, Mexican wildlife has gotten closer to human settlements—a fact which usually spells disaster for these creatures."
Image credits: bigpicturecompetition.org
#28 Landscapes, Waterscapes, And Flora Winner - "The Hidden Beauty Beneath Our Feet" By Tom St. George
Muyil, Quintana Roo, Mexico. "In taking this photograph, the photographer wished to highlight the incredible natural beauty found in the underwater cave systems of Mexico's Riviera Maya, but also to draw attention to threats to its fragile ecosystem. Even though these caves are an important part of the aquifer, they are under increasing tourism pressures leading to the over-development of the region. A large-scale rail link across the whole of the Yucatan Peninsula is currently in the process of being built, putting both jungle and cave in danger—as well as potentially displacing local Mayan communities. "
Image credits: bigpicturecompetition.org
#29 Photo Story: Taking Action Winner - "Coexistence With Predators 1/6" By Nayan Khanolkar
Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Mumbai, India. "A sobering look at the thin “divide” between the jungle and Mumbai, showing clearly how the leopards who roam the city can easily access it."
Image credits: bigpicturecompetition.org
#30 Human And Nature Finalist - "Greenwashing" By Marcus Westberg
Dalarna, Sweden. "A lone bird house tops one of the spared Scots pine trees in the vast, deforested expanse of Sweden. The photographer wanted to demonstrate what seemingly ‘conservationist’ tree-cutting actually looks like: leaving a few trees avoids the 'clear-cut'' label, and similar scenes include trees adorned with ribbons reading 'consideration' or 'nature conservation'."
Image credits: bigpicturecompetition.org
#31 Landscapes, Waterscapes, And Flora Finalist - "Behind The Veil" By Nell Dickerson
Sossusvlei Desert, Skeleton Coast, Namibia. "A photographer captures a stunning, seemingly interplanetary sunset scene during her first aerial photoshoot in the Sossusvlei Desert. Roughly translated to ‘dead-end marsh’, this desert serves as the southern end of the Namib, the oldest desert in the world. Due to COVID lockdowns in Africa, the photographer was alone for four weeks and felt she had the entire, expansive desert to herself, creating an image that reflects the magnitude of her solitude."
Image credits: bigpicturecompetition.org
#32 Photo Story: Taking Action Winner - "Coexistence With Predators 4/6" By Nayan Khanolkar
Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Mumbai, India. "A wide-eyed leopard is collared, a joint effort conducted by Wildlife Conservation Society, the Maharashtra Forest Department, and Wildlife Institute of India. This tracking project helps these organizations better understand the big cat’s behavior and movements, as well as their adaptations to the urban landscape."
Image credits: bigpicturecompetition.org
#33 Art Of Nature Winner - "Insect Diversity" By Pål Hermansen
Ski, Norway. "A tragically beautiful tapestry of insects— inadvertently killed after being drawn to an outdoor lamp with an unintentional opening. While cleaning the light, the photographer discovered a veritable treasure trove of dead insects and decided to create this collage demonstrating the expansive, if overlooked, diversity of small, winged insects."
Image credits: bigpicturecompetition.org
#34 Art Of Nature Finalist - "Abstract Painting" By Sergio Tapia
Huelva, Spain. "What might appear to be a de Kooning painting is actually a collection of common algae painstakingly captured in a Spanish reservoir. After a three-day wait for the water levels to drop and make the green algae visible, the photographer was rewarded with this dramatic image."
Image credits: bigpicturecompetition.org
#35 Art Of Nature Finalist - "Gold From The Bay" By Steve Mandel
San Francisco, United States. "Should you find these under your microscope, you’ve discovered something as valuable as gold– these diatoms absorb CO2 and help produce 20-30% of Earth’s oxygen. Collected from the San Francisco Bay, the photographer notes that these diatom’s colors are the result of the light being routed around the sides of the slide in the microscope, then refracted by the structure of the diatom wall."
Image credits: bigpicturecompetition.org
#36 Art Of Nature Finalist - "Crossing Paths" By Julie Kenny
Scaddan, Goldfields-Esperance Region, Australia. "Emu footprints taken from a drone above an Australian salt lake create a dramatic contrast of pattern and texture. While technology-enabled the photographer to capture such an image, she acknowledges that this perspective has been documented by Aboriginal people for thousands of years."
Image credits: bigpicturecompetition.org
#37 Terrestrial Wildlife Finalist - "Between Fennels" By ruben Perez Novo
Ares (La Coruña,) Spain. "When this caterpillar goes through metamorphosis, it will emerge as the gorgeous Papilio Machaon—named for a Greecian mythological figure from the Trojan War. For now, it will crawl among the fennels, occasionally munching on them for lunch."
Image credits: bigpicturecompetition.org
#38 Aquatic Life Finalist - "Curious Co-Parenting" By Domenico Roscigno
Taranto, Italy. "A male Goby Fish protects the female's eggs laid inside a shell alongside a pregnant Long-Snouted Seahorse. It remains unknown whether they are working together to protect their potential offspring."
Image credits: bigpicturecompetition.org
#39 Art Of Nature Finalist - "Life Vessels" By Armand Sarlangue
Highlands, Iceland. "While on location to shoot the Fagradalsjfall volcano, the photographer was determined to take an aerial photo of the Icelandic Highlands. During the last few days of his trip, he was finally able to secure a pilot and captured these brilliant green lines of vegetation sprouting through the black volcanic ground."
Image credits: bigpicturecompetition.org
#40 Landscapes, Waterscapes, And Flora Finalist - "Beauty Is Ephemeral " By Ellen Woods
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, United States. "Tucked under umbrella-like leaves, mayapple flowers typically remain hidden from the view of human onlookers. Because they often escape the attention of pollinators too, mayapples rely on a different strategy: having attractive friends. Mayapple plants neighboring nectar-producing species bear more fruit and seed than those further away, indicating that infrequent, incidental visits by nectar-searching pollinators are integral to mayapple’s reproductive success. After pollination, mayapple plants go on to produce their namesake: a small green fruit."
Image credits: bigpicturecompetition.org
#41 Winged Life Finalist - "Table Manners" By Bence Mate
Pusztaszer, Hungary. "After hours of observing spot-billed pelicans diving in for a bite, this photographer determined the best possible shooting angle. The resulting photograph captures a very unconventional silhouette of a spot-billed pelican dropping in for lunch."
Image credits: bigpicturecompetition.org
#42 Terrestrial Wildlife Finalist - "Embryology" By Jaime Culebras
Yanayacu Biological Station, Napo Province, Ecuador. "A gelatinous mass of developing glass frog embryos hangs from a leaf over a stream. Unfortunately, not much is known about nymphargus wiley; in fact, this species is listed as data deficient on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species."
Image credits: bigpicturecompetition.org
#43 Aquatic Life Finalist - "Underwater Colorful Snowstorm" By Tom Shlesinger
Eilat, Israel. "Catching a coral spawning is tricky business! Occurring only once a year and determined by the lunar cycle, this spectacular event can last anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks depending on the coral’s species and location. This photographer spent years attempting to get the timing just right during free-diving efforts, finally snapping an image of this magical underwater snowstorm— during a June dive."
Image credits: bigpicturecompetition.org
#44 Human And Nature Winner - "Sickening Delicacy" By Bence Mate
Covasna, Romania. "While traveling in Romania’s Carpathian region, this photographer happened upon frogs being hunted at spawning time. After their legs are removed for consumption, the frogs’ remains are thrown back into the water— a horrific swirl of spawn and viscera, expertly composed into a heart-breakingly tragic scene."
Image credits: bigpicturecompetition.org
#45 Aquatic Life Finalist - "Weedy Scorpionfish" By Magnus Lundgren
LongDong, Taiwan. "Nocturnal hunting sensibilities and the ability to camouflage make sightings of the brilliantly colorful Weedy Scorpionfish ironically rare. This stealthy species attracts prey by blending in with their surroundings all while remaining completely still. You might say this makes them the perfect photography subject—but only if you can find them!"
Image credits: bigpicturecompetition.org
#46 Photo Story: Taking Action Winner - "Coexistence With Predators 6/6" By Nayan Khanolkar
Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Mumbai, India. "A wildlife researcher from the Wildlife Conservation Society and a staff member of the Maharashtra Forest Department with one of the tools used to track a collared leopard.."
Image credits: bigpicturecompetition.org
#47 Photo Story: Taking Action Winner - "Coexistence With Predators 3/6" By Nayan Khanolkar
Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Mumbai, India. "In 2004 there were numerous attacks on humans by leopards in Mumbai, forcing the need for their capture and rehoming in the National Park. Of these leopards was the pictured Radhika, though it is unknown if she was among the leopards who attacked people."
Image credits: bigpicturecompetition.org
#48 Photo Story: Taking Action Winner - "Coexistence With Predators 5/6" By Nayan Khanolkar
Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Mumbai, India. "Dinesh Barap, a Warli artist from Mumbai, stands proudly in front of an artwork of the Waghoba, a half leopard, half-tiger deity worshiped by the Warlis—and believed to protect them from the downsides of sharing space with big cats. This indigenous community has lived side-by-side with leopards and other cats for centuries, and the photographer believes much can be learned from them about coexisting with these creatures."
Image credits: bigpicturecompetition.org
#49 Photo Story: Taking Action Winner - "Coexistence With Predators 2/6" By Nayan Khanolkar
Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Mumbai, India. "This leopard is making a midnight move, the lights of Mumbai creeping close behind it."
Image credits: bigpicturecompetition.org
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