The World Nature Photography Awards celebrate the beauty of nature as captured by photographers around the globe, with enthusiastic contenders vying for top honors in various categories. In 2021, Amos Nachoum from the United States won the grand cash prize of $1,000 for his striking photograph depicting a leopard seal poised to catch an unsuspecting gentoo penguin. Even four years later, this powerful image remains memorable.
Capturing this fleeting moment was no simple feat. Nachoum had to patiently wait for hours on the isolated Plano Island, situated off the Antarctic Peninsula, for the opportune moment during low tide when seals ventured into the lagoon to hunt. Tragically, the photo illustrates one of the young penguin’s last moments. Nachoum reflected, “The frightened penguin attempted to flee as the hunt unfolded. But inevitably, the end came.”
World Nature Photographer of the Year and Gold Winner in “Behavior – Mammals” — Amos Nachoum, USA
Nachoum elaborated on his photo: “For hours, I awaited low tide along a shallow lagoon on a distant island off the Antarctic Peninsula. Just before low tide, the leopard seal appeared in the lagoon. It resembled a rock partly submerged in the retreating water. The young Gentoo penguins venture into the water only when it is shallow. As they approached, the seal’s head turned swiftly, catching one penguin by its foot and dragging it to deeper waters. I followed it into open waters, witnessing its actions closely. To my astonishment, the seal released the penguin twice, only to chase it again, seeming to relish the game. The terrified penguin tried to evade capture, but eventually, it met its fate.”
Other notable winners from the competition featured a phenomenal shot of a humpback whale near New York City, a stunning capture of an orangutan in a river, and an arctic fox enduring the frigid tundra in Iceland. These photographs exemplify the passion and dedication of nature photographers while highlighting the necessity of environmental stewardship.
The World Nature Photography Awards were established with the belief that even small actions can positively influence the future of our planet, and that photography can change perspectives, leading individuals to reconsider their habits for the sake of nature. The 2021 competition attracted entries from 20 nations across six continents, according to a press release from the Awards.
For detailed information on the latest World Nature Photography Awards contest and its winners, visit worldnaturephotographyawards.com.
This article was originally published four years ago.
