European Wildlife Photographer of the Year Reveals Its Stunning Winners

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Jamie Rojo has been crowned European Wildlife Photographer of the Year for his image, In the Forest of the Monarchs, showing millions of monarch butterflies weighing down fir trees.

The competition is organized by the German Society for Nature Photography (GDT) which received over 18,000 photographers across 38 countries.

The international judging panel picked Rojo’s image for its beautiful illustration of monarch butterflies captured in Mexico’s El Rosario butterfly sanctuary which they travel thousands of miles from North America to overwinter there.

One juror notes that Rojo’s picture offers “a slow awakening to its majesty … a testament to the power of photography.” Rojo’s exact same photo, which he took while on assignment for National Geographic Magazine, also won the California Academy of Sciences BigPicture Photography Competition.

Sunlight filters through a dense forest, illuminating tall trees and casting soft rays through the branches. The trees are covered in thick, dark green foliage, creating a serene and natural atmosphere.

A black-and-white image of a bird in mid-flight with wings spread wide. The bird is approaching a tree trunk on the right. Leaves frame the top, and the background is a blurred abstract pattern.

A wet, yellow and black bird with a white face perches on a wet, car side mirror against a blurry urban background, including a building and a road. Raindrops can be seen on the mirror, indicating rainy weather.

A vast flock of birds soars over a foggy seascape. The sky is filled with their silhouettes, creating a dynamic pattern. Below, cliffs dusted with snow frame a dark, wintry ocean.

A black and white image depicting a bird in the foreground, standing on the ground. In the blurred background, three deer are visible amidst a misty forest setting. The overall atmosphere is serene and mysterious.

A dark forest scene with tall trees silhouetted against a deep blue night sky. The ground is dimly lit, casting subtle shadows. Sparse foliage and a serene atmosphere contribute to the mysterious mood.

A polar bear stands on a snowy rocky terrain, surrounded by a swirling snowstorm. The wind blows snow around its fur, creating an ethereal, wintry scene. The bear appears calm amidst the harsh elements.

A silhouette of a lynx stretching in the rain against a dark night background. The outlines of the lynx are highlighted by backlighting, with raindrops visible around it.

A lakeside scene with trees covered in white webs, resembling silk. The ground is blanketed in web-like structures over lush green grass, creating a surreal and eerie atmosphere. The calm lake and bright sky are visible in the background.

A group of red ants is clustered on a branch, captured in sharp detail. Water droplets are visible, falling and splashing around the ants against a dark background, creating a dynamic and lively scene.

Close-up of a mushroom's gills, illuminated with warm orange and yellow light. The lines and curves create an abstract pattern, resembling flowing fabric. The lighting highlights the texture and depth of the gills.

Sparse bushes with red berries and dried yellow grass are illuminated by sunlight against a shadowy background, creating a striking contrast between light and dark.

A desert landscape with rippled sand dunes under a purple and pink sky. The smooth curves and gentle shadows create a serene and tranquil atmosphere.

Wind-blown sand creates a soft, golden wave pattern over a dune. The light and shadow highlight the gentle curves and texture, evoking a serene and ethereal desert landscape.

A dimly lit image of an octopus with dark, textured skin featuring orange spots, against a black background. Its arms spread out widely, creating a striking contrast with the dark surroundings.

Two frogs are clasped together underwater surrounded by clusters of frog eggs. The scene includes submerged branches and leaves, creating a natural aquatic environment.

A person wearing gloves uses a tool to interact with planarians in a glass tank filled with water. The background is dark, highlighting the focus on the tank and the person's careful observation.

A duck leads ducklings across a road as a traffic officer in a yellow vest stops cars. A cameraman films the scene. A row of vehicles, including a bus and a car, is halted behind them.

Aerial view of a sandy beach with abstract shapes and patterns. Various small puddles create organic, colorful forms resembling paint splatters. Wavy lines at the bottom suggest tidal influences. Subtle footprints can be seen across the sand.

A blurred image of a flamingo with a focus on a spider web in the foreground, dotted with dew drops, against a white background. The flamingo's pink and gray colors are visible behind the web.

The winners were announced on October 25. An exhibition showing all the winning images will tour through Germany and several other European countries. Head to the GDT website to see all the runners and riders.

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