Nature’s Best Photography (NBP) International Awards recently announced winning and highly honored photos that are absolutely captivating. Over 25 thousand images were entered to compete in 11 categories, all celebrating animals and nature.

The Grand Prize winner this year is Mangesh Ratnakar Desai from Pune, Maharashtra, India, with a photo of two Bengal tigers where the mother is play-fighting with her son to teach an important survival lesson. Another important mention is Alberto Román Gómez from Cádiz, Spain, who was recognized as the Youth Photographer of the Year.

In the list below, we showcased all the winners of single-submitted photos and some of the Highly Honored photos that captured our eyes the most. But if you want to see the complete collection of Winners and Top 100 finalists, as well as the Video category, make sure to check out NBP's website.

More info: Instagram | Facebook | naturesbestphotography.org

#1

Wildlife: Highly Honored - African Lion Cubs By Keith Bannerman

Wildlife: Highly Honored - African Lion Cubs By Keith Bannerman

Keith Bannerman / NBP Awards Report

Add photo comments
POST
RELATED:
    #2

    Wildlife: Highly Honored - Masai Giraffe And Calf By Thomas Nicholson

    Wildlife: Highly Honored - Masai Giraffe And Calf By Thomas Nicholson

    Thomas Nicholson / NBP Awards Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #3

    Landscapes: Winner - "Fireworks" By Marcio Cabral

    Landscapes: Winner - "Fireworks" By Marcio Cabral

    "A stunning field of Paepalanthus mirrors the rising sun’s rays, giving the impression of self-luminescence."

    Marcio Cabral / NBP Awards Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #4

    Grand Prize Winner: Bengal Tigers By Mangesh Ratnakar Desai

    Grand Prize Winner: Bengal Tigers By Mangesh Ratnakar Desai

    “Over the years, I have witnessed this young tiger on his path toward independence, starting with lessons from his mother teaching him to defend his territory.”

    Mangesh Ratnakar Desai / NBP Awards Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #5

    Polar Passion: Highly Honored - Emperor Penguin Chick By Stefan Christmann

    Polar Passion: Highly Honored - Emperor Penguin Chick By Stefan Christmann

    “I photographed this little chick on a calm, serene day after a snowstorm had passed. The thick cloud cover over the bay created an endless white canvas backdrop. The colony stood out like a painting, with this lone chick on the periphery. At a relatively warm -13°F, there was no need to huddle. The chick was struggling to stay awake as snowflakes fell gently. His eyes would close as he drifted into brief stages of sleep. Watching this peaceful scene was delightful, and I couldn’t help but chuckle at the adorable sight.” 

    Stefan Christmann / NBP Awards Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #6

    Landscapes: Highly Honored - Dancing The Sumba By Cyndy B. Waters

    Landscapes: Highly Honored - Dancing The Sumba By Cyndy B. Waters

    Cyndy B. Waters / NBP Awards Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #7

    Polar Passion: Highly Honored - King Penguins Under Full Moon By Levi Fitze

    Polar Passion: Highly Honored - King Penguins Under Full Moon By Levi Fitze

    Levi Fitze / NBP Awards Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #8

    Ocean Views: Highly Honored - Green Sea Turtles In Cave By Leighton Lum

    Ocean Views: Highly Honored - Green Sea Turtles In Cave By Leighton Lum

    Leighton Lum / NBP Awards Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #9

    Wildlife: Highly Honored - Bengal Tiger By Krishna Daga

    Wildlife: Highly Honored - Bengal Tiger By Krishna Daga

    Krishna Daga / NBP Awards Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #10

    Wildlife: Highly Honored - American Bison And Calf By Lara Ferraro

    Wildlife: Highly Honored - American Bison And Calf By Lara Ferraro

    Lara Ferraro / NBP Awards Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #11

    Animal Antics: Winner - Kit Fox Pair By Brian Clopp

    Animal Antics: Winner - Kit Fox Pair By Brian Clopp

    "The genuine tenderness between these wild animals made me smile and serves as a poignant reminder that each living creature has a unique value within our universe.”

    Brian Clopp / NBP Awards Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #12

    Animal Antics: Highly Honored - Emperor Penguin By Thomas Vijayan

    Animal Antics: Highly Honored - Emperor Penguin By Thomas Vijayan

    Thomas Vijayan / NBP Awards Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #13

    Polar Passion: Highly Honored - "Treasure On Ice" By Marek Jackowski

    Polar Passion: Highly Honored - "Treasure On Ice" By Marek Jackowski

    Marek Jackowski / NBP Awards Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #14

    Birds: Highly Honored - Northern Hawk Owl By Liron Gertsman

    Birds: Highly Honored - Northern Hawk Owl By Liron Gertsman

    Liron Gertsman / NBP Awards Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #15

    Youth: Highly Honored - Atlantic Puffin By Andrés Domínguez Blanco (Age 14)

    Youth: Highly Honored - Atlantic Puffin By Andrés Domínguez Blanco (Age 14)

    Andrés Domínguez Blanco / NBP Awards Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #16

    Polar Passion: Winner - Beluga Whale By Brett Freliche

    Polar Passion: Winner - Beluga Whale By Brett Freliche

    Brett Freliche / NBP Awards Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #17

    Landscapes: Highly Honored - Hummocks By Alessandra Meniconzi

    Landscapes: Highly Honored - Hummocks By Alessandra Meniconzi

    Alessandra Meniconzi / NBP Awards Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #18

    Wildlife: Winnner - African Leopard Fight By Kevin Dooley

    Wildlife: Winnner - African Leopard Fight By Kevin Dooley

    "In addition to the difficulty of focusing on the action, dust was in the air; but it all added to one of my favorite memories as a nature photographer."

    Kevin Dooley / NBP Awards Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #19

    Animal Antics: Highly Honored - Mountain Hares By Andy Parkinson

    Animal Antics: Highly Honored - Mountain Hares By Andy Parkinson

    Andy Parkinson / NBP Awards Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #20

    Conservation Story, Single Image: Highly Honored - Chimpanzee Rescue By Marcus Westberg

    Conservation Story, Single Image: Highly Honored - Chimpanzee Rescue By Marcus Westberg

    Marcus Westberg / NBP Awards Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #21

    Ocean Views: Highly Honored - Humpback Whales Bubble Netting By Scott Portelli

    Ocean Views: Highly Honored - Humpback Whales Bubble Netting By Scott Portelli

    Scott Portelli / NBP Awards Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #22

    Polar Passion: Highly Honored - Emperor Penguins By Liwen Tao

    Polar Passion: Highly Honored - Emperor Penguins By Liwen Tao

    Liwen Tao / NBP Awards Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #23

    Outdoor Adventure: Highly Honored - Crossing Ice Lake By Alessandra Meniconzi

    Outdoor Adventure: Highly Honored - Crossing Ice Lake By Alessandra Meniconzi

    Alessandra Meniconzi / NBP Awards Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #24

    Youth Photographer Of The Year - European Stonechat By Alberto Román Gómez (Age 9)

    Youth Photographer Of The Year - European Stonechat By Alberto Román Gómez (Age 9)

    "When a stonechat was perched near a bolt on a metal gate, it appeared as if it were the guardian of the territory."

    Alberto Román Gómez / NBP Awards Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #25

    Outdoor Adventure: Highly Honored - Free Diver And Sperm Whales By Franco Banfi

    Outdoor Adventure: Highly Honored - Free Diver And Sperm Whales By Franco Banfi

    Franco Banfi / NBP Awards Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #26

    Youth: Highly Honored - Canvasback By James Fatemi (Age 17)

    Youth: Highly Honored - Canvasback By James Fatemi (Age 17)

    James Fatemi / NBP Awards Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #27

    Ocean Views: Highly Honored - Juvenile Driftfish In Moon Jellyfish By Michael Patrick O’Neill

    Ocean Views: Highly Honored - Juvenile Driftfish In Moon Jellyfish By Michael Patrick O’Neill

    Michael Patrick O’Neill / NBP Awards Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #28

    Outdoor Adventure: Winner - Highliner During Annular Solar Eclipse By Belva Hayden

    Outdoor Adventure: Winner - Highliner During Annular Solar Eclipse By Belva Hayden

    "The moon passing directly between Earth and Sun during an annular eclipse, made this highliner's experience even more extreme."

    Belva Hayden / NBP Awards Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #29

    Outdoor Adventure: Highly Honored - Hiking In Norway By Aleksander Myklebust

    Outdoor Adventure: Highly Honored - Hiking In Norway By Aleksander Myklebust

    Aleksander Myklebust / NBP Awards Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #30

    Birds: Highly Honored - Bald Eagle Fight By Michael Despines

    Birds: Highly Honored - Bald Eagle Fight By Michael Despines

    Michael Despines / NBP Awards Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #31

    Landscapes: Highly Honored - Poplar Reflections On The Po River By Gianluca Gianferrari

    Landscapes: Highly Honored - Poplar Reflections On The Po River By Gianluca Gianferrari

    Gianluca Gianferrari / NBP Awards Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #32

    Ocean Views: Highly Honored - Giant Pacific Octopus By Mayumi Takeuchi-Ebbins

    Ocean Views: Highly Honored - Giant Pacific Octopus By Mayumi Takeuchi-Ebbins

    Mayumi Takeuchi-Ebbins / NBP Awards Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #33

    Art In Nature: Highly Honored - Spotted Eagle Ray By Joaquin Fregoni

    Art In Nature: Highly Honored - Spotted Eagle Ray By Joaquin Fregoni

    Joaquin Fregoni / NBP Awards Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #34

    Birds: Highly Honored - Parakeet Biting Monitor Lizard By Hira Punjabi

    Birds: Highly Honored - Parakeet Biting Monitor Lizard By Hira Punjabi

    Hira Punjabi / NBP Awards Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #35

    Animal Antics: Highly Honored - Barred Owlets By Glenn Nelson

    Animal Antics: Highly Honored - Barred Owlets By Glenn Nelson

    Glenn Nelson / NBP Awards Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #36

    Ocean Views: Highly Honored - Blenny In Brain Coral By Pietro Formis

    Ocean Views: Highly Honored - Blenny In Brain Coral By Pietro Formis

    Pietro Formis / NBP Awards Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #37

    Birds: Winner - Egret And Ladyfish By Xiaoping Lin

    Birds: Winner - Egret And Ladyfish By Xiaoping Lin

    "I caught the fleeting moment as two fish leaped out of the water and passed by an egret."

    Xiaoping Lin / NBP Awards Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #38

    Art In Nature: Highly Honored - Sandstone Cliff By Adrian Klein

    Art In Nature: Highly Honored - Sandstone Cliff By Adrian Klein

    Adrian Klein / NBP Awards Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #39

    Outdoor Adventure: Highly Honored - Free Diver And Silky Sharks By Wayne Lai

    Outdoor Adventure: Highly Honored - Free Diver And Silky Sharks By Wayne Lai

    Wayne Lai / NBP Awards Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #40

    Polar Passion: Highly Honored - Gentoo Penguins By Clive Burns

    Polar Passion: Highly Honored - Gentoo Penguins By Clive Burns

    Clive Burns / NBP Awards Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #41

    Art In Nature: Winner - Eye Of Frozen Lake By Lei Li

    Art In Nature: Winner - Eye Of Frozen Lake By Lei Li

    Lei Li / NBP Awards Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #42

    Outdoor Adventure: Highly Honored - Diver With Giant Oceanic Manta Ray By Christian Horras

    Outdoor Adventure: Highly Honored - Diver With Giant Oceanic Manta Ray By Christian Horras

    Christian Horras / NBP Awards Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #43

    Conservation Story, Single Image: Winner - Northern Gannets By Khurram Khan

    Conservation Story, Single Image: Winner - Northern Gannets By Khurram Khan

    "To me, this picture signifies the future of our planet, literally ‘hanging by a thread’ without our conservation action."

    Khurram Khan / NBP Awards Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #44

    Ocean Views: Winner - Spinner Dolphins Superpod By Cécile Gabillon

    Ocean Views: Winner - Spinner Dolphins Superpod By Cécile Gabillon

    "Being surrounded by this superpod while free diving was one of the most amazing encounters of my life."

    Cécile Gabillon / NBP Awards Report

    Add photo comments
    POST