The year's best wildlife photos

[n2doc]

This image of an Iberian wolf landed José Luis Rodríguez the overall prize.

The Iberian wolf is a subspecies of grey wolf and inhabits the forest and plains of northern Portugal and north-western Spain. The wolf is rare, with between 1000 and 2000 thought to exist in the wild. Iberian wolves have been persecuted and hunted by humans because they can attack farms and livestock when food becomes scarce.

This image captures the "wolf's great agility and strength", says Rodríguez. It also implies a relationship with humans as the wolf jumps effortlessly over the fence into a farmer's enclosure.

Judging the image, wildlife photographer Jim Brandenburg noted that "thousands of years of history are frozen in this masterfully executed moment".

(Image: José Luis Rodríguez/Veolia Environnement Photographer of the Year 2009)



Clash of the Yellowhammers

These two male yellowhammer birds are fighting over food. This image was taken in the back garden of young photographer Fergus Gill in Scotland and was an overall runner-up.

This image was selected from the under-17 category and was deemed a "joy" by Judge Mark Carwardine. Carwardine added, "Split-second timing has captured the perfect wildlife moment."

Gill began planning for this image in the summer but it was as the snow began to fall that he set up a hide in the garden and awaited the arrival of the birds. At one point there were up to 32 yellow hammers on display. However, it was only when he started spotting spontaneous spats between the birds that he shifted his focus to these behaviour patterns.

On the third day he captured this unique image.

(Image: Fergus Gill/Veolia Environnement Wildlife Photographer )



The Full Lion

A male lion has just finished feasting in the Masai-Mara National Reserve, Kenya. After filling himself up he walked close to the car in which photographer Marc Slootmaekers was travelling and laid down to rest, content.

The blood-soaked mane and flies add to the image's effect, completed by the soft morning light and direct glance from a full and happy lion.

(Image: Marc Slootmaekers/Veolia Environnement Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2009)


More (you have to click around to view)

http://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit-us/whats-on/temporary-exhibitions/wpy/onlineGallery.do

[sinkingfeeling]

1. Thanks. The winning picture is truly awesome.

[Jane Austin]

2. Wow - thanks

for these amazing photos.