During a rainforest expedition in Xishuangbanna in China, a huntsman spider, Barylestis saaristoi, was found blending seamlessly into lichen-covered bark. Its natural camouflage allows it to ambush unsuspecting prey. Captured with incredible detail, the spider’s intricate patterns create a mesmerizing fusion with its surroundings.
2. 2nd Place: "Hummingbird & Abutilon" by Jackie Kramer
This buff-tailed coronet, perched beneath a dangling Abutilon flower, offers a serene glimpse of nature’s harmony. The vibrant hues of the bird’s plumage and the flower evoke a sense of peace, frozen in time by the photographer’s lens.
3. 3rd Place: "Emerald Damselfly on Enchanter’s Nightshade" by Tony North
At Red Moss, an emerald damselfly was photographed resting delicately on an enchanter’s nightshade flower. Heather in the background enhances the dreamy atmosphere of the image, created by stacking multiple shots for sharp focus.
4. Finalist: "Glanville Fritillary" by Raheela Rafiq
Captured on cocksfoot grass, this Glanville fritillary glistens with morning dew. The image combines multiple exposures to highlight the butterfly’s fragile beauty, offering an up-close look at its intricate wing patterns.
5. Finalist: "Floral Fantasy" by Tony North
An artistic image of frozen geranium, pineapple lily, and buttercup flowers reveals stunning textures and colors. Photographed on a lightpad, the icy backdrop accentuates the delicate details of each petal and leaf.
6. Finalist: "Bioluminescent" by Luca Menotti
The vibrant core of a sunflower draws attention with its mesmerizing symmetry and bold colors. Inspired by fantastical worlds, the photographer applied post-processing techniques to enhance the natural patterns, transforming the image into a vivid masterpiece.
7. Finalist: "Flower Tower" by Claire Carter
The young buds of Daucus carota (wild carrot) glow with a soft pink hue in a garden meadow. Capturing the flowers at this stage reveals their understated elegance and the beauty of seasonal growth.
8. Highly Commended: "Purple Anemone" by Tony North
Taken at RHS Bridgewater Gardens in the UK, this overhead shot of a purple anemone highlights its intricate design. Captured handheld and focus-stacked, the image offers a striking view of the flower’s central patterns.
9. Highly Commended: "Aging with Attitude" by Claire Carter
A dried tulip flower, with its wrinkled petals, creates a striking visual through a high-key multiple exposure. Photographed in a studio, this image celebrates the beauty of decay with an almost sculptural quality.
10. Highly Commended: "Big Eyes" by Menglin Zhang
A tree frog resting on a low plant at China's Xishuangbanna Botanical Garden captivates with its large, reflective eyes. The macro shot captures not just the frog’s delicate features but also the world reflected in its gaze.
11. Highly Commended: "The White-legged Damselfly in Evening Dress" by Karin de Jonge
This white-legged damselfly, poised on a dried flower spike, appears as though draped in an elegant evening gown. The shot, comprising four stacked images, captures its delicate posture and piercing gaze.
12. Highly Commended: "Seductive Veins" by Claudia Gaupp
The intricate vein-like patterns on the petals of the 'Mint Fresh' iris create a stunning visual contrast against a warm garden backdrop. Illuminated by the soft light of an early summer evening, this flower exudes charm.
13. Commended: "Snake in Rock Imagery" by Minghui Yuan
A mountain wolf snake, blending into the textured rocks of the Dabie Mountains, becomes almost invisible until closely observed. The natural patterns of the rock mirror the snake’s colors, creating a harmonious and abstract composition.
14. "Sunlight Through Branches" by Jane Simmonds
In the Forest of Dean woodland in England, sunlight filters through bare branches, backlighting a beech tree. This atmospheric composite image blends three exposures, creating a dreamy glow reminiscent of a winter afternoon.
15. "Global Greenfinch" by Kevin Sawford
A greenfinch rests on a blooming globe thistle near a bird feeder, framed perfectly in its natural surroundings. This brief landing allowed the photographer to capture the bird and flower in stunning detail.
