Africa Geographic has announced the winners and runners up of its annual Photographer of the Year competition. The competition was conducted in partnership with Ukuri and African Parks. It offers winners, runners up and their partners an Africa Geographic safari experience in the Odzala-Kokua National Park in the north of Congo-Brazzaville.
This year’s Photographer of the Year is Christina Schwenk, a German clinical psychologist and wildlife photographer.
See the photos below:
Casting Off. A soaked leopard emerges from slumber, casting off the night’s rain. Kruger National Park, South Africa. Christina Schwenck
Survival an Inch. A red-headed finch survives by an inch as a young lanner falcon strikes and misses. Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, South Africa. Ernest Porter
Shared Wonder. A mountain gorilla lies in quiet contemplation as an orange butterfly flutters – a fleeting moment of connection. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda. Mary Schrader
Tusks and Tempers. Caught in a dust-choked duel, these warthogs clashed for over half an hour. A pure operatic scuffle. Shompole Conservancy, Kenya. Alex Appleby
Lion’s Eye View. “This large male walked so close to our game drive vehicle, I had to stop down to f10 to get the whole eye in focus.” Sabie Game Reserve, South Africa. Benjamin Loon
Muddy Ambush. After hours lying in wait in the marsh, a lion erupts from the mud, claws first, onto the back of a buffalo. Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya. Eric Coiffier
Sandstorm Growl. “A lioness growls in defiance at the dominant pride male, signalling she is not yet ready to mate.” Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Botswana. Hannes Lochner
Vertical Feeder. Boswell, the famous vertical feeder of Mana Pools, stretches the laws of elephant anatomy. Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe. Jordan Fry
Desert Illusionist. The Namaqua chameleon pauses beside a rusted relic of desert life, its skin mirroring the metal’s mottled hues. Dorob National Park, Namibia. Marcio Lisa
Metamorphosis. “Three young cheetahs were learning to hunt while the mother was observing their behaviour. A difficult scene to photograph: difficult to show the raw nature. For me, there is a kind of poetry in the precise second the image was captured – the four faces together, what looks like serene stillness in the dik-dik and the contradiction with the reality of the moment.” Samburu National Reserve, Kenya. Marina Cano
Standing Tall. A bull elephant pauses mid-journey to test the air, Mount Kilimanjaro looming behind him. Amboseli National Park, Kenya. Nili Gudhka
Ambush. A lioness takes cover in an empty water trough – the perfect spot for launching an ambush. Tsavo East National Park, Kenya. Roan Carr-Hartley
Liquid Light. A dance of water and light captured in its purest form. An African spoonbill sends droplets scattering like tiny jewels as it enjoys a refreshing bath. Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa. Tania Cholwich
Warning Received. In the tangled forests of Gabon, a forest elephant mock charges – a display more warning than attack. Then, just as suddenly, she melts back into the forest. Loango National Park, Gabon. Turgay Uzer
First Gaze. “An adult cheetah lies in recovery after veterinary sedation for a health assessment. Translocated from Australia to South Africa to diversify the gene pool, this female had just reopened her eyes post-check-up when this photo was captured.” Mziki Game Reserve, South Africa. Wiki West
