There’s nothing like a great nature photo to remind us how beautiful—and wild—our world can be. This year’s Nature’s Best International Photography Awards brings us just that, with breathtaking images that capture life on our planet from the skies to the depths of the ocean. Photographers from over 60 countries entered the contest, sharing moments of wonder, drama, and sheer beauty.
The Grand Prize went to Mangesh Ratnakar Desai for his photo of a young tiger learning life skills from his mother in India. From beluga whales in icy Canadian waters to monarch butterflies on their epic migration, each winner tells a unique story. Dive into these winning images and discover nature’s magic up close.
Related: There Is an Incredible Story Behind These Wildlife Photos
1. Grand Prize Winner. Bengal Tigers, IUCN Red List Status: Endangered, Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra, India (Photo: © Mangesh Ratnakar Desai of Pune, Maharashtra, India)
A young tiger learns survival skills from his mother in the waters of India’s Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve in India. This intense moment captures a critical life lesson as he begins his journey to independence.
2. Winner, Conservation Story. Saving the Monarchs, Mexico, USA, and Canada (Photo: © Jaime Rojo of Madrid, Spain)
A monarch butterfly prepares to settle in for the night at Mexico’s Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve. Gathering together in clusters, the butterflies stay close for warmth and protection.
3. Winner, Conservation Story. Saving the Monarchs, Mexico, USA, and Canada (Photo: © Jaime Rojo of Madrid, Spain)
Monarch butterflies create a breathtaking scene as they stream through trees in El Rosario Sanctuary, wintering in the same groves their ancestors once did.
4. Winner, Polar Passion. Beluga Whales, Hudson Bay, Churchill,Manitoba, Canada (Photo: © Brett Freliche of Morgan Hill, California, USA)
In the cold waters of Hudson Bay, a pod of beluga whales glides close, curious and calm. Over 50,000 belugas migrate here every year, creating unforgettable moments for those lucky enough to witness them.
5. Winner, Outdoor Adventure. Highliner During Annular Solar Eclipse, Bureau of Land Management Area Near Monticello, Utah, USA (Photo: © Belva Hayden of Waterbury Center, Vermont, USA)
A climber balances on a highline during an annular eclipse in Utah. The sun forms a dramatic “ring of fire” as the moon passes between it and Earth, adding an extra thrill to the scene.
6. Winner, Landscapes. “Fireworks,” Wildflowers at Sunrise, Alto Paraíso, Goiás, Brazil (Photo: © Marcio Esteves Cabral of Brasília, Brazil)
In the morning light of Brazil’s Alto Paraíso, a field of Paepalanthus flowers mirrors the sunrise. This delicate moment shows the natural beauty of the highland’s unique landscape.
7. Winner, Wildlife. African Leopard Fight, Mashatu Game Reserve, Botswana (Photo: © Kevin Dooley of Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA)
Two African leopards clash at Botswana’s Mashatu Game Reserve. After hours of patience, the photographer captured this intense scuffle, with dust and low light adding to the drama.
8. Winner, Art in Nature. Eye of Frozen Lake, Baingoin County, Nagqu, Tibet, China (Photo: © Lei Li of Taizhou, Zhejiang, China)
Seen from above, a frozen lake in Tibet forms a mesmerizing natural pattern. The intricate shapes in the ice create a stunning view that can only be fully appreciated from a high vantage point.
9. Youth Photographer of the Year. European Stonechat, Arcos de la Frontera, Cádiz, Spain (Photo: © Alberto Román Gómez, age 9, of Ubrique, Cádiz, Spain)
The “Bird Layout” in Toronto honors the lives of birds lost in window collisions. Volunteers arrange collected birds in a moving tribute that brings awareness to this silent tragedy.
10. Winner, Birds. Egret and Ladyfish, Yundang Lake, Xiamen, Fujian, China (Photo: © Xiaoping Lin of Xiamen City, Fujian Province, China)
An egret freezes in surprise as two fish leap from Yundang Lake. This quick, perfectly timed shot captures the excitement of the hunt in an urban lake environment.
11. Winner, Animal Antics. Kit Foxes, Onaqui Mountain Herd Management Area, Dugway, Utah, USA (Photo: © Brian Clopp of Huntsville, Utah, USA)
Two kit fox siblings share a tender moment outside their den in Utah. One wraps its tail around the other, showing a gentle side of life in the wild desert.
12. Winner, Ocean Views. Spinner Dolphins Superpod, Off Quepos, Costa Rica (Photo: © Cécile Gabillon of Toulouse, France)
A superpod of spinner dolphins creates a vibrant scene as they herd lanternfish to the surface. Free-diving among these dolphins, the photographer captured the beauty of their synchronized movement.
13. Highly Honored, Wildlife. African Lion Cubs, Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Botswana (Photo: © Keith Bannerman of Alamo, California, USA)
Lion cubs gather with their mothers at a watering hole in Botswana’s Kalahari Desert, enjoying a peaceful moment together under the afternoon sun.
14. Highly Honored, Wildlife. Masai Giraffe And Calf, Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya (Photo: © Thomas Nicholson of Easton, Massachusetts, USA)
A mother giraffe and her calf share a quiet moment in Kenya’s Maasai Mara, showing the gentle bond between parent and child in the animal kingdom.
15. Highly Honored, Birds. Bald Eagle Fight, Hood Canal, Kitsap County, Washington, USA (Photo: © Michael Despines of Bellevue, Washington, USA)
Two bald eagles clash over territory in Hood Canal, Washington. Their powerful wings and talons create a fierce and dynamic image in midair.
