2026 British Wildlife Photography Awards: A Stunning Toad Portrait Takes Top Prize

The 2026 British Wildlife Photography Awards have officially revealed their winners, and this year’s top image is a breathtaking reminder that sometimes the most extraordinary photographs come from the quiet corners of nature. Out of more than 12,000 entries, one photograph rose above the rest—a striking portrait of a toad gliding through the reflective surface of a woodland pond.

Captured by Paul Hobson in Sheffield, England, the winning image offers a perspective most of us rarely see. Shot from the bottom of a pond looking upward, the photograph reveals the toad swimming through mirrored reflections of trees and sky above. It’s one of those images that instantly pulls you in, making you pause and appreciate the hidden drama unfolding beneath the water’s surface.

Hobson explained that he was fortunate to have access to a nearby pond with unusually clear water. During breeding season, toads gather there in large numbers, and he saw an opportunity to experiment with an underwater perspective. The result? A mesmerizing photograph that feels almost dreamlike—nature viewed from a completely unexpected angle.

Meanwhile, the Young British Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 title went to Ben Lucas, whose heartwarming photograph captured a mute swan cygnet peacefully napping on the back of its sibling. Lucas described the moment perfectly, noting that while nature can sometimes be harsh, these gentle moments remind us of its softer side.

The British Wildlife Photography Awards (BWPA) continue to stand as one of the most respected showcases of nature photography in the UK. With photographers competing across 11 diverse categories, including Animal Behaviour, Animal Portraits, Urban Wildlife, Wild Woods, and Coast & Marine, the competition celebrates both familiar wildlife and rare, magical encounters.

As BWPA Director Will Nicholls shared, this year’s winners highlight the beauty, diversity, and personality of Britain’s wildlife—while reminding us why protecting these ecosystems matters more than ever.

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#1. Overall Winner – British Wildlife Photographer of the Year: "A Toad Swims Across Its Woodland Pond" by Paul Hobson, England

"I am lucky to have a pond close to my house that has relatively clear water, especially in late winter and early spring before the algae starts to grow. Toads use this pond to breed in and I decided I wanted to try to capture an image looking up from the bottom of the pond. To try to do this I built a glass box to house the camera and keep it dry. I had to add ballast to make sure it would sink and used old tripod legs glued to its sides to keep the box level. I worked out the depth the box would be and set the focus so that it would capture a toad, if one swam across the surface. I triggered the camera using an adapted long cable release. I had to wait quite a long time until a toad swam across the surface – most of them would usually swim below it and rest on the glass."

Captured with: Canon EOS 5D Mark III with Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM lens. 22mm; 1/1,000s; f/16; ISO 1,600.

#2. Animal Behaviour – Winner: "Nemesis" by Mark Parker, England

"Because the sparrowhawk had never gone to ground before on previous visits to the garden and not knowing how long it would stay, I just wanted to get an image to record the event before then concentrating on my settings. The story I think the image portrays, is evident in the eye contact between the two subjects and the vice-like grip they have on each other, however, the eye contact and grip of the juvenile starling is out of pure fear whilst that of its nemesis is one of dominance and relief in finally catching a much needed meal."

Captured with: Nikon Z 9 with Nikon Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S lens. 600mm; 1/2,500s; f/4; ISO 400.

#3. Animal Behaviour – Runner-up: "The Fur Flew" by Sarah Darnell, England

"It was an exciting start to my early morning when I was able to witness the agility and effort of a pair of hares boxing. They were so close that I could hear the puffs and pants as they performed in front of me. As the activity became more intense, fur was lost, and I loved how it stayed on top of the hare’s head throughout this frenetic time. So intent were they to win the battle of wills they ignored my presence lying on the ground in plain sight."

Captured with: Canon EOS R3 with Canon RF 600mm f/4 L IS USM lens and 1.4x teleconverter. 840mm; 1/1,000s; f/5.6; ISO 12,800.

#4. Animal Portraits – Winner: "Standing Tall" by Alastair Marsh, Scotland

"I’ve been visiting Ardnamurchan in Scotland for 10 years now and it keeps me coming back. I visit every year in the hope of seeing pine martens. In the summer of 2024 I had one of my best visits up north with plenty of sightings, tempted by a small amount of peanuts I left out each evening. Every so often this young male would stand up to get a better view above the heather in front of him."

Captured with: Canon EOS R3 with Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM lens. 300mm; 1/800s; f/2.8; ISO 1,600.

#5. Animal Portraits – Runner-up: "Through the Lavender" by Felix Belloin, England

"In summer 2024, I had an unexpected visit from a neighbourhood fox who decided to come by my garden. Probably attracted by the commotion around the bird feeder, she sat on the lawn and allowed me to get close. I grabbed a medium telephoto lens with a very wide aperture and took her portrait through a gap in the lavender. Later in June, after multiple visits, and considering the prevalence of mange in my area, I decided to get a mange deterrent from the National Fox Welfare Society, which I administered to her in a small portion of cat food!"

Captured with: Canon EOS R5 with Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM lens. 70mm; 1/640s; f/2; ISO 100.

#6. Botanical Britain – Winner: "Slime Moulds and a Water Droplet" by Barry Webb, England

"These 1mm-tall Lamproderma scintillans were found on a tiny fragment of wood, on a very wet woodchip pile. When the water droplet evaporated on the two fruiting bodies on the right, they dried out and reverted to their original blue colour. It is thought that the iridescent surface of these fruiting bodies may act as a water repellent in order to protect the spores within the sporocarp. A total of 87 shots were focus bracketed and then focus stacked to create the final image."

Captured with: OM System OM-1 with M.Zuiko 90mm f/3.5 Macro lens and 2x teleconverter. 180mm; 0.6s; f/14; ISO 200.

#7. Botanical Britain – Runner-up: "The Algaeverse" by David Higgins, Wales

"I left my 42-month contract in the Falkland Islands for a short contract working as a Tern Warden for the RSPB on The Skerries off Anglesey. The kind of job I’d dreamed of since I was eight years old, now over fifty and with one hip replaced, my chances of living the dream were finally becoming a reality. Two of us lived in the lighthouse and spent more time with birds than with other humans. Every day the Arctic and common terns would attack us, mess on our clothes and display a distinct seabird rage towards us. They also brought in a huge mass of marine nutrients, deposited across the island in the form of faeces which spattered our clothes for the season. The nutrients also created briny soups of nourishment in the pools and puddles, where algae bloomed. This pool was on the flight path of a favourite route the terns take when spooked and dread out to sea as a choreographed flock. It’s an incredible experience being so close to nature and seeing these interconnections and nutrient transfers. This is a look-down view of one of the algae masses as it created its own ‘universe’ or ‘synapse’ of connections. It’s the only time I’ve seen algae form these patterns. I was mesmerised by the connected network of the community created."

Captured with: Canon EOS R6 Mark II with Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM lens. 100mm; 1/100s; f/8; ISO 640.

#8. Black & White – Runner-up: "Emerging in the Light" by Chris Wardell, England

"I set up a single flash hoping that I could photograph a local fox, with the tiling of the pavement visible. After a few hours, I was lucky enough that all the ingredients came together and the fox walked across the path of the flash. I used a tiny piece of chicken as bait for the rough area. I had to time it right to use the fox’s body to block the flash so as not to blow out my photo. I have followed this urban fox family for some time and they are relaxed with my use of lighting."

Captured with: Canon EOS 1200D with Canon EF 28-90mm f/4-5.6 USM lens. 28mm; 1/640s; f/4; ISO 200.

#9. Coast & Marine – Winner: "Glowing Bright" by James Lynott, Scotland

"A spiny squat lobster captured fluorescing during a night dive in Loch Fyne, in November 2024. Image taken using two Sea&Sea YS01-Solis strobes with Nightsea excitation filters. A FireDiveGear gel barrier filter was used behind the 8mm fisheye lens."

Captured with: OM System E-M1 Mark III with Panasonic Lumix G Fisheye 8mm f/3.5 lens. 8mm; 1/20s; f/4.5; ISO 800.

#10. Coast & Marine – Runner-up: "Silhouetted Puffin" by Julian Terreros-Martin, Wales

"On Skomer Island in Wales, puffins are often the star attraction, drawing visitors from around the world who come to photograph these iconic seabirds. After several
visits, I aimed to capture more unique and creative photos of these birds, challenging myself technically to stand out from the crowd. During the middle of the day, when the light is much harsher, I decided to experiment with manual focus. I discovered a unique effect when focusing between a puffin and the sun reflecting off the sea in the background. This created shimmering reflections on the water. By positioning myself just right, I was able to align the silhouette of the puffin against the water, but the result was a scattered effect, where the image appeared as multiple puffins reflected in the water and various angles. By making the image monotone, I was able to take advantage of the harsh daylight, using the contrast between the subject and the bright, reflecting sun on the water to create a striking visual."

Captured with: Canon EOS R3 with Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM lens. 300mm; 1/8,000s; f/2.8; ISO 100.

#11. Habitat – Winner: "Dipper Dream" by Marc Humphrey, England

"Dippers are creatures of habit, and after spending numerous days observing these entertaining birds I was able to discover many of their favoured rocks. I wanted to capture something different, encapsulating the stunning woodland and rushing white water that these birds are so at home in. For this photo I utilised a wide-angle lens, and so as to limit disturbance, I waded into the water, framed up my shot using a tripod, manually focussed on the rock and used a remote shutter whilst sat on the riverbank. To capture the painterly effect in the water, I used a shutter speed of 1/15s."

Captured with: OM System OM-1 with OM System 12-40mm f/2.8 lens. 32mm; 1/10s; f/8; ISO 250.

#12. Habitat – Runner-up: "Winter Touch" by Mario Suarez, Scotland

"A mountain hare photographed in the Cairngorms National Park, the UK’s largest National Park. Taken just in the middle of winter after climbing a steep slope on one of the hills, I was lucky enough to come across a solitary fox who seemed very curious when she saw me appear. I quickly threw myself to the ground and was very careful with my movements so as not to scare her. I over exposed 2 steps to melt this beauty with the snowy hill of that morning."

Captured with: Canon EOS 7D Mark II with Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens. 400mm; 1/800s; f/8; ISO 640.

#13. Hidden Britain – Winner: "New Life" by Julian Terreros-Martin by England

"During 2020, many of us around the world were isolating at home due to various lockdowns brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. My dad and I decided to build a reflection pool in our back garden as a way to continue photographing the wildlife around our house, which mainly consisted of birds and hedgehogs at night. Fast forward four years, and the reflection pool remains unused and unloved, at least by us. Over this time, however, it seems that various frogs have taken a liking to our pool, so much so that they have spawned in it. Using the Laowa 24mm Probe lens, I was able to partially submerge the lens into the pool and photograph what was happening underwater. The lights at the end of the probe illuminated the scene, allowing me to capture a close-up macro image of a single egg still attached to the rest but hanging on the edge of the spawn ball. Seeing the details of the developing embryo was an incredibly unique and special moment for me, both as a photographer and as a biologist. This experience also serves as a reminder that, given the chance, nature can bounce back. Even in our own gardens, we can find incredible wildlife moments."

Captured with: Canon EOS R3 with Laowa 24mm f/14 Probe lens. 14mm; 1/400s; f/14; ISO 5,000.

#14. Hidden Britain – Runner-up: "Surprising Meal" by Adam Ferry, England

"I often think of house spiders as one of the most imposing of spiders in the UK, however, this photo shows that even these large creatures can be food. Surprisingly, to this unsuspecting spider, the cellar spider, which is a master of taking down large prey thanks in part to its extremely long legs."

Captured with: OM System E-M1 II with OM System 60mm f/2.8 Macro lens. 60mm; 1/50s; f/5.6; ISO 200.

#15. Urban Wildlife – Winner: "Asleep at the Wheel" by Simon Withyman, England

"After discovering a family of foxes living on a trading estate, I initially used my car as a hide. Over several weeks, I gradually introduced myself and my camera equipment, allowing time for this young mother to become familiar with my presence and learn that I posed no threat. I often saw her resting in some unusual spots, but none more so than on this cushioned seat of an old vehicle. It was clearly a much more comfortable place to sleep compared to her hard, concrete surroundings."

Captured with: Canon EOS R5 with Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM lens. 67mm; 1/640s; f/4.5; ISO 400.

#16. Urban Wildlife – Runner-up: "Night Dweller" by Kyle Moore, England

"While working on a project photographing foxes in the urban environment, I was drawn to this particular security hut because of the neon lighting. The fox was used to receiving handouts from the night security workers and would frequently come up to the windows, waiting for an easy meal. I set up my camera and used a wireless remote so as not to disturb the fox. A subtle flashgun was used to illuminate the ghostly shape as the fox approached some litter left by the main door."

Captured with: Canon EOS 1D X with Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II lens. 50mm; 1/200s; f/18; ISO 2,000.

#17. Wild Woods – Winner: "Beams of Brightness" by Mark Richardson, England

"This photograph was taken at dawn on a frosty winter’s morning in South East England, just as the sunlight broke through the canopy of the woodlands. Using a telephoto lens, I framed the scene with a reasonably close crop to give a sense of energy and atmosphere to the emerging, dramatic light, and to emphasise the golden halo created around the tree in the centre of the image."

Captured with: Sony A7 IV with Sony 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens. 200mm; 1/2,000s; f/8; ISO 640.

#18. Wild Woods – Runner-up: "Autumn Dancer" by Duncan Wood, Scotland

"This photograph was taken in Glen Affric during a week immersed in the autumn landscape. By the end of my stay, the obvious compositions were done, and I turned my attention to something more intimate. I approached this birch as if making a portrait of a character, concentrating on the textured bark, moss, lichens, and delicate leaves. The soft, diffused overcast light allowed subtle tones to emerge, stripping away distraction. By narrowing the frame, I sought to reveal a quiet intimacy where the colours and fine details speak of stillness and the understated beauty of the season."

Captured with: Sony A7R V with Tamron 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 lens. 186mm; 1/60s; f/9; ISO 320.

#19. Young British Wildlife Photographer of the Year and 15-17 Years Winner: "Feathery Pillow" by Ben Lucas, England

"This was such an adorable moment to witness. A whole family of mute swans swam up to me as I was quietly sitting on the bank of a beautiful lake. They all lay down for a rest right beside me. The five newly hatched cygnets curled up together in a fluffy grey bundle and I captured this photo as one lay its little head on the back of its sibling. Nature can often be so cruel, but tender moments like this warm my heart!"

Captured with: Canon EOS R10 with Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM lens. 359mm; 1/500s; f/8; ISO 250.

#20. 11 and Under – Winner: "Cutting Edge" by Jamie Smart, Wales

"I adore bees and have spent a lot of time this year studying them and finding out about what I can do to help the wild bees around our garden thrive. I designed and made a bee hotel using clay and have watched it flourish. One day, as I was walking past it, I spotted this leaf-cutter bee poking her head out of one of the clay holes and thought it would make a lovely photo, so I ran back inside to grab my camera and hoped that she would still be there when I returned – luckily, she was! Using my macro set up – the OM1 Mark II with a speed flash and Cygnustech diffuser – I managed to capture this image of her looking at me from inside the clay hole. It was quite tricky to get the light to penetrate into the hole, as she had gone a little deeper inside by the time I had returned and I didn’t want to disturb her too much by going too close, so I cropped in and adjusted the highlights and shadows in the editing phase to create this image."

Captured with: OM System OM-1 Mark II with OM System 90mm f/3.5 lens. 90mm; 1/125s; f/11; ISO 200.

#21. 12-14 Years – Winner: "Acrobatic Hobby" by Jack Crockford, England

This is the Eurasian hobby, a small yet remarkably agile bird of prey. They combine their speed with this agility for a unique trait; catching insects mid-air. The size of their prey doesn’t affect them, as it can vary from the smallest of flies to small birds. First, they lock on to their target. Next, they reach out with their super-sharp talons and snatch their prey. In this moment, a mayfly was unlucky as it became the hobby’s next snack.

Captured with: Nikon D500 with Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6 lens. 440mm; 1/6,400s; f/8; ISO 800.

FAQs

Who won the British Wildlife Photography Awards 2026?

Paul Hobson won the British Wildlife Photography Awards 2026 with a remarkable photograph of a toad swimming through a reflective woodland pond in Sheffield, England. The image was captured from the pond floor, creating a unique underwater perspective.

How many photographs were submitted to the BWPA 2026 competition?

The 2026 British Wildlife Photography Awards received more than 12,000 image submissions from both amateur and professional photographers. Participants competed across multiple categories, showcasing the diversity and beauty of wildlife throughout Britain’s natural landscapes.

Who won Young British Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026?

Ben Lucas won the Young British Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 award for his touching photograph of a mute swan cygnet peacefully sleeping on the back of its sibling, capturing a rare and heartwarming moment in nature.

What categories are included in the British Wildlife Photography Awards?

The competition features 11 adult categories including Animal Behaviour, Animal Portraits, Botanical Britain, Black & White, Coast & Marine, Habitat, Hidden Britain, Urban Wildlife, Wild Woods, and additional special awards like British Seasons and Documentary Series.

Why are the British Wildlife Photography Awards important?

The awards celebrate the incredible diversity of British wildlife while highlighting the importance of conservation. Winning photographs showcase rare behaviors, unique perspectives, and intimate moments that inspire appreciation and protection of natural ecosystems.

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