The fearless Gurung tribesmen of Nepal, known as master honey hunters, brave dizzying heights of around 300 feet in the Himalayan foothills. Armed only with handmade rope ladders and long sticks called tangos, they risk life to collect precious honeycomb.

In the turquoise waters of Teahupo'o, French Polynesia, Australian surfer Olivia Ottaway dives under a towering wave. Teahupo'o has been a legendary host to the WSL Tahiti Pro for over two decades, and it will set the stage for the prestigious surfing event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

I've seen mating behaviors in the wild, but never have I witnessed a more unique and intimate moment. This shot was taken in the stunning landscapes of Maasai Mara, Kenya, during a morning game drive in December 2023.

In the Gaza Strip, smoke and flames fill the sky as Israeli illumination flares light up the night over the Al-Shati refugee camp on November 6, 2023.

During a dive, Karim seized the chance to capture an extraordinary image. He was documenting a rare phenomenon: the abandoned swirl of milk floating in the depths as the humpback whale calf missed it. Just as he prepared to resurface for air, he spotted the calf rising in the background. Suppressing his urge to breathe, Karim managed to capture a few photographs of this unique moment.

A rare moment of harmony unfolds as a dragonfly gracefully lands on the nose of a turtle. Instead of seizing its prey, the turtle seems to enjoy the unexpected encounter, sharing a peaceful moment amidst the dim waters of the swamp.

Amidst the chaos in Kramatorsk, Donetsk Region, Irina, a waitress at Ria Pizza, becomes trapped under rubble after a devastating Russian Iskander K missile. The bustling restaurant, a beloved gathering spot, falls victim to the horrors of war, claiming the lives of 13 civilians and leaving 61 others wounded.

At 72 years old, Einar Njiokiktjien defies age with a backflip. As the global median life expectancy reaches 72 years, Earth's population is on the verge of becoming the oldest it has ever been. By 2030, 1 in 6 people will be over 60 years old, marking a historic shift in demographics.

Boys will be boys: their curiosity begins in childhood. As best friends Harald and Marcus glide through their hometown of Steyr, a poster on the city's outskirts ignites their imagination.

A bait ball of this size is a mesmerizing showcase of rhythm, lightning reflexes, and collaboration, all without central intelligence. Tightening into a compact mass to minimize volume, it can disperse and surround you in a split second as predators charge from the opposite side.

Sang Hyang Jaran is a mesmerizing and sacred Balinese dance ritual, blending mysticism with artistic expression. Originating from the island of Bali in Indonesia, this dance pays tribute to the mighty and compassionate spirits that reign over both the seen and unseen worlds.

In recent years, Pasquale has directed his focus towards studying the response of marine organisms to environmental pollutants, showcasing the results of his work in this portfolio. However, these images serve as mere windows into the extensive impact we impose on our oceans. Some shots reveal marine organisms grappling to adapt to the waste we discard. It's a stark reminder: our oceans are suffocating under the weight of plastic pollution, with projections suggesting it may outweigh marine life by 2050.

Amidst the chaos, male cactus bees (Diadasia rinconis) fiercely contend for the attention of a single female, engaged in a high-stakes battle for mating rights. In this dangerous dance of nature, only the strongest will seize their chance to mate.

In their Antarctic feeding grounds, humpback whales gorge on fat-rich krill for months, building up their blubber reserves for the challenging journey to tropical breeding grounds. Using a remarkable technique known as 'bubble netting', they skillfully trap their prey with precision.

The starting line, the first hurdle—the moment brimming with anticipation and connection. Here, the unbreakable bond between human and dog is palpable, radiating through a magnetic gaze. Agility Dog embodies trust, respect, and unity.

Few insects have captured our collective imagination quite like the Monarch Butterfly. Their annual migration is a breathtaking wildlife spectacle, filled with fascinating natural mysteries. From their multi-generational life cycle to their remarkable GPS navigation abilities, every aspect of their journey is intriguing. Yet, this majestic species faces a significant challenge as its wintering population has declined by a remarkable 90% over the past three decades. Nevertheless, across North America, dedicated individuals are tirelessly working to reverse this alarming decline and pave the way for a brighter future for the Monarchs.

As the Mediterranean sun sets, it sparks the senses for those who contemplate it: scents, breezes, colors, water, salt. Amidst the harsh beauty of Mar Menor, Murcia, behold the mesmerizing dance of a jellyfish during this enchanting hour.

On October 14th, 2023, a rare annular solar eclipse occurred. After months of planning, Larin embarked on a journey to capture birds silhouetted against the eclipse. Despite traversing for hours to find breaks in the clouds, he successfully aligned these two majestic Glaucous-winged Gulls with the eclipse.

In the waters near Pietarsaari, along the western coast of Finland, on May 3, 2023, during late spring as the sea ice was slowly melting, several herring died after becoming entangled in plastic packaging netting.

A grey-headed flying fox plunges into a cool pool, swiftly refreshing and quenching its thirst, as it laps water off its wet fur in mid-flight and as it drips down from its belly upon landing.

In the dynamic world of lion mating, interactions are intense, especially among the females. Over two days, William observed the same pair, anticipating the perfect moment for a close-up shot. Their response, however, exceeded all expectations.

On the peaks of the Simien Mountains in Ethiopia, a Gelada family gazes over the precipice. Against the backdrop, gathering clouds foreshadow an imminent storm during August's rainy season.

A King Penguin cradles its newborn chick just moments after hatching. After patiently waiting for two days, from the first crack to the triumphant emergence, this image captures the essence of life's delicate start. It showcases the profound beauty and resilient spirit of the Southern Hemisphere's wildlife.

Orangutans are forced to perform in shows across Asia, as seen here at Safari World in Bangkok. Afterward, they are exploited for selfie sessions, despite the potential for disease transmission. In the past, orangutans were seized from Safari World after DNA tests confirmed they were being illegally trafficked.

Following the Israeli airstrikes on October 19, 2023, a visibly distraught woman wanders amidst the debris of residential buildings in Gaza City's al-Zahra neighborhood. Her face mirrors the anguish and despair of her community.

Dr. Richard Harvey, wary of losing sight of the rest of the elephant herd, climbs onto the highest point he can find—the elephant bull he is fitting with a GPS collar—to make contact with the spotter plane. In 2023, 126 animals from 12 species were collared in South Sudan.

Collaborating with the Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change, my photographs highlight the critical connection between biodiversity loss and the illegal wildlife trade.

While wandering the streets of Rome, Fabio was captivated by the graphics on a billboard and the way the light streamed through. Envisioning the shot, he waited patiently to capture a moment of intriguing juxtaposition.

During a dive in Antarctica, a leopard seal approached Filippo with curiosity, drawn by his camera. For several minutes, it showed him its incredible mouth and, most notably, its formidable set of teeth.

A stargazer fish (Uranoscopus scaber) blends seamlessly into the sandy seabed, awaiting its prey. Through a cascade of turquoise water, a monstrous mask appears to shimmer, as if death were patiently lurking for its next victim. This image was captured using flash and a slow shutter speed.

This tiny crab found refuge in a sponge, where it carefully guards its precious orange eggs. The eye contact, its perch atop the sponge, and the eggs cradled by its claws all come together to create this compelling environmental portrait.

A man, standing with his hyena, is getting ready before the show, in one of the small villages of the desertic north-eastern Nigeria. He is a traditional storyteller, weaving a mesmerizing street circus that blends ancient mystique with the art of storytelling.

A solitary fisherman casts his net under the enchanting glow of golden hour, creating a mesmerizing scene captured from a drone's perspective. The soft, warm tones of the sunlight paint a stunning backdrop as the fisherman tends to his catch, destined to be transformed into the rich flavors of fish sauce.

An adult male Agile frog (Rana dalmatina), likely taking a well-deserved rest after mating. Surrounding him are the masses of eggs, a testament to his contribution to the cycle of life.

Intrigued by Mount Etna's subtle activity suggesting a potential new eruption, Gianluca journeyed to the site for a close-up observation. Arriving just in time, he documented the breathtaking eruptive spectacle on December 1, 2023. The event was marked by powerful explosions and mesmerizing lava flows.

In Norway, I climbed Gjertvasstind for the grand finale of the Light Lines Project, set against the rugged backdrop of Hurrungane. On May 4th, under ideal conditions and a radiant full moon, we seized the perfect moment to immortalize the beauty of Hurrungane through three synchronized ski descents.

A blue crab navigates the currents of an underwater river system in Yucatan, illuminated by the soft glow filtering down from the Cenote above. The water takes on a golden tint, infused by the rich concentration of tannic acid from the surrounding mangrove forest.

Witnessing a battle between two bull elephants is an unforgettable experience. The sheer power displayed is similar to two heavyweight boxers battling in the ring, where every move is calculated and nothing is wasted. These intense confrontations typically occur when a bull elephant enters musth, a period marked by increased testosterone production.

An Arctic Tern repeatedly flies back and forth in front of a glacier. When glaciers break off and calve into the sea, they churn up a significant amount of sea plankton and small fish, providing an ideal opportunity for the Tern to dive and feed.

Near the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa, Will Gadd and Sarah Hueniken climb on glacial ice. These unique ice features rest on rock and sand located within the crater of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Following the powerful February 2023 earthquake in Hatay, Turkey, a woman walks past a collapsed building as demolition teams work nearby. The 7.8-magnitude quake caused widespread devastation, claiming over 50,000 lives and injuring more than 100,000 people.

On March 29, 2023, a migrant child is tossed in the air in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, as migrants cross the Rio Grande into the United States from Mexico. Among the thousands making the journey that day, many are from Venezuela.

A woman stands inside her damaged house, surrounded by rubble. The earthquake, combined with over 12 years of civil war, has only added to the suffering of the Syrians. Even areas previously spared by the war are now destroyed, with many inhabitants losing their lives and homes.

A Guarani Indigenous young man wields a bow and arrow during a protest against the "Marco Temporal" bill, which threatens to restrict the recognition of new Indigenous reservations. Environmentalists and human rights advocates view this decision as a significant setback.

During 'Flag Day' festivities in Scheveningen, a local woman playfully hides behind her Vogue bag upon noticing the camera, resulting in a surreal blending of two faces: her own and that of the model on the bag.

A Captivating Portrait of Siblings playing together is the streets of Aflou.

When it rains, the frog pairs come down to the river to spawn.
After fleeing attacks from other males, they finally reach their spawning site.
Once they lay eggs, they return to the mountains, leaving behind a brief but captivating story that unfolds over just one week.

A mother and calf humpback whale interact closely near the surface just off the coast of Tahiti's island. These whales migrate to the islands of French Polynesia all the way from Antarctica, to mate and give birth. Renee captured the scene with an over-under image to showcase both the whales and this unique environment.

As Alessandro snapped photos in the mudflat by Lake Porta in Tuscany during lunchtime, an extraordinary sight unfolded: an Italian green frog, with a lightning-fast leap, captured a centipede and began devouring it.

During a nighttime freedive in the waters of Bacoli in the Gulf of Naples, Salvatore managed to capture the image of a white spotted octopus gliding beneath the sea’s surface. By tilting his camera, he immortalized its enchanting reflection.

Two young sea lion pups frolic in their 'pup pond' at Los Islotes, the southernmost rookery of California sea lions in Mexico's Baja Peninsula. Here, amidst the safety of this protected rocky pool, the new pups learn to swim and socialize, ensuring a fun and playful environment for all!

In Andalusia, there's a saying: "An Andalusian man without a horse is like a matador without a cape." Horses are an integral part of the culture and daily life of this region. From a young age, children begin to familiarize themselves with these magnificent animals. Here, a boy soothes his horse amidst the bustling festivities of La Línea in southern Andalusia.

Adam Chasey, once a biologist in the Everglades, paddleboards amongst weather-beaten cypress trees under the light of a full moon. Nighttime often offers the best opportunity to explore swamps and encounter unique wildlife such as alligators and snakes.

Ryan Gosling immortalized within a meticulously crafted laboratory conceived and constructed by Dan. Dan's vision for this image was to evoke the ambiance of the "Blade Runner" universe, while avoiding direct references to the film. He personally curated every prop and detail of the set, striving to capture the iconic atmosphere of the saga.

At El Rosario sanctuary, within the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, during the harsh winter months, millions of monarch butterflies gather in a warm embrace, transforming the oyamel fir trees into a vibrant mosaic of colors. The golden rays penetrating the forest create a magical atmosphere.

A storm rages over the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Biosphere Reserve in Mexico. This arid realm, home to the planet's richest variety of cacti, faces a dangerous threat from climate change.

As the sun sets, the enchanting 'blue hour' descends upon N'gouja Beach, home to green turtles. These majestic creatures, abundant in the Mayotte lagoon of the Indian Ocean, are familiar with human company, often approachable by day, yet they vanish as night falls.

A glimmer of hope radiates from this turtle as it returns to the ocean after laying its eggs in the turtle reserve in Oman. With the ongoing threat of extinction looming over its species, there is a sense of optimism that its efforts will contribute to the survival and proliferation of its kind.

A common vampire bat (Desmodus rotundus) flying out of its roost just before sunrise. The photo was captured using a sensor while I was sleeping next to the tree, fortunately without any loss of bodily fluids.

Alexis Holmes of the USA sprints to victory in the 4x400m mixed relay, setting a new world record time of 3:08.80. Meanwhile, Femke Bol of the Netherlands falls just short of the finish line during day one of the World Athletics Championships at the National Athletics Centre in Budapest, Hungary.

A breathtaking scene unfolds as the danish Jonas Vingegaard of Team Jumbo-Visma, wearing the Yellow leader jersey, leads the peloton through a picturesque sunflower field during stage eight of the 110th Tour de France 2023 on July 8th in Limoges.

Blackburn Rovers' Tyrhys Dolan celebrates scoring the winning goal against Blackpool FC by performing a backflip during the Sky Bet Championship match at Ewood Park, Blackburn. In this image, he appears to be levitating or being beamed up.

A family, with a young child, makes their way through razor wire along the border wall separating the US and Mexico in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. Originating from Venezuela, they are among the multitude of migrants seeking a new beginning in the United States.

In the heart of a bustling procession in Kathmandu, Karlynne sought solace in a blue-walled alley. As she patiently observed, silhouettes of passersby painted the scene. Suddenly, an elderly gentleman emerged, quietly witnessing the festivities, his reflection mirrored in a motorcycle. She seized a moment of calm amid Kathmandu's chaos.

Amidst a dengue disinfestation effort led by state personnel, two Indian men walk through the narrow alleys of Varanasi. The month of October brought a surge of dengue and Chikungunya cases in the state of Uttar Pradesh, prompting the district administration to establish a 24-hour helpline.

I captured this photo while kids were playing. At one moment, they kicked the ball high into the sky just as an airplane flew overhead. The kids were overjoyed, feeling as if they were soaring like the airplane.

A female paper nautilus or Argonaut, carrying her egg case, rides a small jellyfish during a blackwater dive. These otherworldly creatures, just 2 cm in size, rise to the surface at night to aerate their eggs and feed. Using their beaks, they extract nutrients from the jellyfish.

A group of adult Chinook salmon congregates in a small pool as they migrate to their spawning waters. This species is currently of conservation concern due to significant declines across its native range in Western North America.

A mirror carp and a scaly carp appear to be kissing in the lake, reminiscent of a romantic moment between a man and a woman. This enchanting moment was captured in Lake Čierna Voda, Slovakia.

Buryatian Shaman Vitali performs a ritual to connect with the spirits on frozen Lake Baikal, with the sacred Ogoi cape in the background. Lake Baikal is considered the most sacred place of Siberia’s shamanism.

Nestled in a remote hangar amidst the vast steppes of Kazakhstan rests a relic of Soviet space exploration: the "Buran" space shuttle. Nestled in a remote hangar amidst the vast steppes of Kazakhstan rests a relic of Soviet space exploration: the "Buran" space shuttle. After more than 30 years in obscurity, its condition is deteriorating. Eventually, it will fade away and return to the stars.

The Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico boasts the world's largest underground river system. Its vast network of tunnels showcases intricate and fragile formations carved over 20 glaciation cycles.

The rivers of Iceland flow from the glaciers to the oceans, carving paths across the volcanic terrain that resemble the veins of the land when viewed from above. Along their journey, they carry essential nutrients for the ecosystem in the form of sediment.

In June 2019, while shooting the Milky Way at Capo Spartivento in southern Sardinia, Italy, I noticed a distant storm approaching from Africa, presumably Tunisia, with lightning striking every 2 minutes. Quickly setting up my tripod, I seized the opportunity to capture some shots. What a fantastic stroke of luck to witness and film the Milky Way alongside the lightning storm!

This photo was taken on the island of Hokkaido, Japan, capturing swans bathing in a sea on the verge of freezing.

Christopher O'Connell of Australia plays a forehand against Jiri Vesely of Czech Republic in the Men's Singles second round match during day five of The Championships Wimbledon 2023 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 07, 2023.

This image was captured on the beach of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer in the picturesque south of France, during the annual pilgrimage of the gypsies to honor Sainte Sara La Noire. Here, a family awaits the arrival of the procession to bless Sainte Sara in the tranquil waters of the sea.

As the wildebeest falls prey to the relentless pursuit of four cheetahs, the victorious hunters remain ever vigilant, their gaze speaking volumes about the untamed world around them.

During the Budapest Athletics World Championships, an athlete exults mid-air with a triumphant gesture, right after clearing the bar, satisfied and aware of having secured victory in the pole vault, one of the ten events in the Decathlon.

A heartbreaking death once again due to humans and pollution. I found this dead black crow while photographing in a controlled regional park area in Italy. It was likely trapped by a net abandoned by trout fishermen. The crow probably got caught while trying to eat an insect inside the net. Unfortunately, I arrived too late.