wildlife photographer of the year

Hyderabad's summer mornings are alive with resident birds. Birdwatchers and photographers venture out before sunrise to observe kingfishers, owls, and peacocks. Organized groups like Hyderabad Birding Pals and Deccan Birders lead trails to lakes and parks. These early outings offer a peaceful escape from city life. Many find these moments essential for reconnecting with nature.

Renowned Indian photographer Raghu Rai, celebrated for capturing the nation's essence, has passed away at 83. His illustrious career spanned six decades, documenting pivotal moments like the Bangladesh refugee crisis and the Bhopal gas tragedy. Rai's lens also immortalized India's leaders and ordinary citizens, offering profound insights.

A hidden wildlife corridor in Kenya's Maasai Mara, previously unseen by tourists, has been revealed by photographer Will Burrard-Lucas. Using camera traps, he documented a secret daily parade of animals, including endangered black rhinos, elephants, and giraffes, using a remote river crossing.

An adult tiger in Pilibhit Tiger Reserve was spotted with a deep circular neck wound, possibly from a snare, raising concerns among forest officials. The injury, widely circulated on social media, has prompted efforts to track the tiger for rescue using camera traps and drones. Recent poaching incidents in the area add to the worry.

Goan bird photographer Shailendra Naik achieved the first 24/7 documentation of the oriental dwarf kingfisher's life cycle in the state over three years. His non-invasive CCTV approach captured a male kingfisher mating with three females, raising 12 young, and revealed insights into incubation, feeding, and predator challenges.

A recent photoshoot in Jaipur featuring a pink-painted elephant has ignited outrage among animal lovers. The elephant, Chanchal, reportedly died of natural causes at 65, but the incident has prompted a probe and calls to end elephant rides due to alleged mistreatment and exploitation of captive elephants.

Nine individuals were apprehended in Mayurbhanj district following the suspected poaching of a rare melanistic Royal Bengal Tiger. Forest officials discovered and seized the tiger's skin, believed to be about a month old, near Kuliana village.

In 1979, Jadav Payeng began planting trees on a barren sandbar in Assam, transforming it into Molai Forest. His decades of patient work, driven by the sight of dying animals, created a thriving ecosystem. This remarkable conservation story highlights the power of individual action and consistent stewardship in environmental restoration.

A teenager in Assam, Jadav Payeng, began planting trees on a barren sandbar in 1979. He single-handedly transformed the area into Molai Forest, now spanning 550 hectares. His persistent efforts created a vital habitat for wildlife. Payeng's dedication demonstrates how one person's consistent action can lead to significant environmental restoration.

Three years after the Mark II became Canon's bestselling mirrorless body, the Mark III arrives with a proposition that sounds almost greedy—more resolution, faster burst speeds, cinema-grade video, and autofocus that feels borderline telepathic. At Rs 2,43,995, it asks for a meaningful investment. The unchanged viewfinder and closed RF ecosystem are real trade-offs. But for photographers who need one camera to do everything well, this is it.

The winners of the wildlife photographer of the year 2023 competition have been announced, featuring stunning images of a horseshoe crab, a beached orca, and battling Nubian ibex. The top prize went to Laurent Ballesta for his underwater photograph capturing a horseshoe crab with golden trevally fish.

Over 41,000 giant South American river turtles were found nesting along the Guaporé River, marking the largest known site for this endangered species. Researchers from the University of Florida and WCS utilized drones and statistical models to achieve this accurate count, crucial for conservation efforts. This innovative method offers a less disruptive way to monitor wildlife populations.

Fourteen-year-old Rithved Girish has won the Young Close-up Photographer of the Year 7 for his striking image, "Guardians of the Hive." The photograph, taken in Kerala, India, features stingless bees protecting their nest entrance. This achievement highlights the importance of these vital pollinators and the incredible detail captured by young talent.

In addition to the winning image, four other photographs were highly commended in the wildlife photographer of the year People's Choice Award. All five images, including "Ice Bed," will be on display at the Natural History Museum in London until June 30.

A photographer's viral post highlighting the garbage problem in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands sparked a nationwide debate. The photographer expressed disappointment, emphasizing that the islands' pristine beauty is threatened by visible waste, calling for shared responsibility between authorities and individuals to address the issue.

Hikmet Kaya transformed 10,000 hectares of barren land in Turkey into a thriving forest over two decades, planting 30 million saplings. This immense reforestation effort, involving local villagers and state backing, restored soil, brought back wildlife, and stabilized the landscape. Kaya's patient, long-term commitment, despite initial failures, highlights the power of sustained environmental restoration.

The Canada-based shutterbug won the prestigious award for a picture of an orangutan taken in the forests of Borneo