Winning Wildlife Images on Show

  • Author(s)
    Michelle Van Doninck
  • Published
    17 December 2014
  • Read time
    2 minutes

A stunning image of a bluebottle washed ashore is among the 100 award-winning images in the annual Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition, opening at the Australian Museum on 28 March 2015. 

The bluebottle image was captured by Matthew Smith from Stanwell Park, NSW - one of two Australian photographers honoured in the international competition. 

“I wanted to pick out the beautiful colouration and detail in the tentacles against the eerie darkness of a stormy morning,” said Mr Smith.
“The wild atmosphere adds testament to the lifestyle of this sailor of the open seas.”

Now in its 50th year, Wildlife Photographer of the Year is the most prestigious photography event of its kind, providing a global platform that showcases the diversity and wonder of the natural world.

Launching in 1965 and attracting just 361 entries, today the competition receives almost 42,000 entries from 96 countries highlighting its enduring appeal.

This year, the prize of Wildlife Photographer of the Year was awarded to American photographer, Michael ‘Nick’ Nichols for this serene black-and-white image of lions resting with their cubs in Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park.

Eight year old Carlos Perez Narval was awarded Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year for his image of a scorpion soaking up the sun near his hometown in Spain.

Keen photographers inspired by the images will have from 5 January – 26 February 2015 to submit their entries for next year’s competition. For details, see www.wildlifephotographeroftheyear.com.

EDITORS NOTE

  • “Wildlife Photographer of the Year is co-owned by the Natural History Museum and BBC Worldwide” must appear clearly in the editorial copy.
  • “[Photographer’s name] / Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2014” must appear alongside the image.
  • A maximum of 10 images can be used within a publication or website.
  • The Australian tour will comprise:

National Wool Museum, Geelong: 16 December 2014 – 1 March 2015

Australian Museum, Sydney: 28 March – 5 October 2015

Museum of Tropical Queensland, Townsville: 21 March – 17 May 2015

Newcastle Regional Library: 21 June – 8 August 2015

Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery, Launceston: 5 September – 1 November 2015