Water pistol standoff and UFO jellyfish take top honours in wildlife photo competition

A young girl pointing a water pistol at a monkey and a celestial squadron of jellyfish saucers have clinched top prizes at the 50th European Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.

The captivating collection, featuring mischievous animals and breathtaking landscapes, drew over 1,000 entries from professionals spanning 36 countries, overwhelming judges with a staggering 19,000 submissions.

Organised by the German Society for Nature Photography, the winners emerged from eight diverse categories, ranging from Birds and Mammals to the intriguing Nature’s Studio. The event showcased the sheer beauty and diversity of Earth’s extraordinary life forms.

Taking centre stage was Spanish photographer Angel Fitor, whose mesmerising Medusa Ballet depicted giant jellyfish resembling a formation of extraterrestrial flying saucers. This enchanting image, captured in Europe’s largest saltwater lagoon, Mar Menor, secured Fitor the prestigious title of European Wildlife Photographer of the Year.

Photo courtesy of Angel Fitor via PetaPixel

Underwater virtuoso Mike Korostelev played the Spielberg card with a jaw-dropping shot of a whale ascending vertically towards a diver, reminiscent of a certain cult action movie poster. Meanwhile, British photographer Danny Green triumphed in the mammals category with his striking image After the Rain, freezing a red stag deer in mid-motion as it vigorously shakes off water in Bradgate Park, Leics.

Photo courtesy of Danny Green Photography

In a hair-raising entry titled Hairy Scary, British snapper Kirsty Andrews presented a fish that could rival Freddy Krueger with its pink skin and eerie spines. Marco Gaiotti’s intimate photograph of a Walrus, seemingly enjoying a hot tub moment in Northern Spitsbergen, Svalbard, also earned accolades from the judges, reported The Sun UK.

Photo courtesy of Marco Gaiotti via Facebook

Nicholas Samaras earned a high commendation for his captivating photo of a Macedonian crested newt seemingly propelled by a burst of green gunk, while Daniel Florman’s chilling image titled Attack depicted a crocodile showcasing its ferocious fangs on the verge of snapping shut, earning commendation in the underwater world category.