Art / Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Inside The Wildlife Photographer of the Year 61
Bristol Museum & Art Gallery is hosting the 61st edition of The Wildlife Photographer of the Year, from now until April 2026.
This year’s chosen images were whittled down from over 60,000 entries in 113 countries and territories around the world.
“These photographs are more than just stunning visuals”, organisers say – “they are windows into the complex, fragile, and magnificent ecosystems we share.
“From intimate glimpses of rarely seen animal behaviour to sweeping landscapes that stir the soul, each image invites you to reflect on your connection to the natural world.”
Bristol24/7 takes a look inside at some of the featured images in this year’s exhibition.
A Tale of Two Coyotes by Parham Pourahmad, USA – Highly Commended, 11-14 Years
A Tale of Two Coyotes by Parham Pourahmad, Wildlife Photographer of the Year – photo: © the artist
Once a common sight but then largely disappearing, coyotes are now starting to come back to San Francisco.
Pourahmad captures the steely amber-eyed gaze of a male coyote, with the black-tipped tail of a female in the foreground.
Nikon Z8 + 180–600mm f5.6–6.3 lens at 600mm; 1/1250 at f6.3; ISO 800
Location: Bernal Heights Park, California, USA
No Place Like Home by Emmanuel Tardy, France – Highly Commended, Urban Wildlife
No Place Like Home by Emmanuel Tardy, Wildlife Photographer of the Year – photo: © the artist
Having slowly crossed a road – which these animals are increasingly forced to do, as their habits decline – a brown-throated three-toed sloth clings to a barbed wire fence.
“The Costa Rican government is working with local NGOs to establish biological corridors”, outline the exhibition notes, “including aerial bridges that reconnect their forest homes.”
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV + Sigma 24mm f1.4 lens; 1/1600 at f7.1 (+0.33 e/v); ISO 800
Location: El Tanque, San Carlos, Alajuela, Costa Rica
Fragile River of Life by Isaac Szabo, USA – Highly Commended, Wetlands: The Bigger Picture
Fragile River of Life by Isaac Szabo, Wildlife Photographer of the Year – photo: © the artist
It’s mating season, and longnose gars are spawning in the crystal waters of a Floridian river.
Szabo, who had to wrap his feet around a submerged tree in order to capture this shot, was delighted to find a turtle also swimming around the scene. It was, for him, “the icing on the cake”.
Sony α7R II + Nikonos RS 13mm f2.8 lens; 1/30 at f8; ISO 200; Inon Z-240 strobes
Location: Columbia County, Florida, USA
Ice Edge Journey by Bertie Gregory, UK – Highly Commended, Animals in their Environment
Ice Edge Journey by Bertie Gregory, Wildlife Photographer of the Year – photo: © the artist
Emperor penguin chicks are pictured walking along the edge of a 15m high ice shelf.
Gregory went on to see them making the jump into the icy waters below, in search of food.
DJI Mavic 3 Pro + Hasselblad L2D-20c 24mm f2.8 lens; 1/50 at f3.5; ISO 100
Location: Ekström Ice Shelf, Atka Bay, Antarctica
Rutting Call by Jamie Smart, UK – Highly Commended, 10 Years and Under
Rutting Call by Jamie Smart, Wildlife Photographer of the Year 61 – photo: © the artist
10-year-old Smart, from Llandrindod Wells, may only have been taking photos for four years, but she has already caught the attention of global wildlife photography enthusiasts.
This image shows a red deer stag giving “a mighty bellow” during the autumn rut.
Nikon Z9 + 800mm f6.3 lens; 1/800 at f6.3; ISO 450
Location: Bradgate Park, Leicestershire, England, UK
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Wildlife Photographer of the Year 61 is at Bristol Museum until April 26, 2026. Tickets can be purchased through Bristol Museums. Booking a time slot in advance is recommended, to guarantee entry.
Wildlife Photographer of the Year is developed and produced by the Natural History Museum, London.
Main photo: © Amit Eshel (Inside The Pack)
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