Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2021: These pictures will transport you to a place of calm
From a 40-year-old gorilla to ravens during a courtship display
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A French biologist and underwater photographer has been named as this year’s Natural History Museum’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year.
Laurent Ballesta was selected as the winner of the competition following the submission of his “enigmatic image” Creation, which captures camouflage groupers exiting their milky cloud of eggs and sperm in Fakarava, French Polynesia.
Over the past five years, Mr Ballesta and his team returned to the lagoon, diving day and night so they did not miss the annual spawning that only takes place around the full moon in July.
His image was selected from more than 50,000 entries from 95 countries and was named the winner at a virtual awards ceremony at the Natural History Museum in central London.
Chairwoman of the judging panel, writer and editor Rosamund “Roz” Kidman Cox, said: “The image works on so many levels. It is surprising, energetic and intriguing, and has an otherworldly beauty.
“It also captures a magical moment – a truly explosive creation of life – leaving the tail-end of the exodus of eggs hanging for a moment like a symbolic question mark.”
Meanwhile, Vidyun R Hebbar was named Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2021 at the ceremony.
The 10-year-old’s colourful image, Dome home, shows a tent spider as a tuk-tuk passes.
The two winners were chosen from 19 categories in total which aim to celebrate the natural world.
Three new categories were introduced this year, including Oceans – The Bigger Picture and Wetlands – The Bigger Picture.
A total of 100 images from the competition will be on display at the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition at the Natural History Museum.
It opens on October 15 before touring across the UK and internationally.