14 moving images from the 2025 Nature Photographer of the Year awards

Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent every weekday. "A tender and poetic moment unfolds as a butterfly flutters gracefully beside a gorilla's face, its golden hues mirroring the warmth in the animal's eyes." That's how Nature Photographer of the Year Chairman Tin Man Lee artfully described the Animal Portrait category winner (seen above). "The contrast between the fragile insect and the powerful primate evokes a delicate balance between strength and gentleness. More than 24,000 entries from photographers in nearly 100 countries competed at this year's awards. From moments of brutality to tenderness, the contest beautifully showcases the stunning wildlife that calls Earth home. "As a photographer, I'm impulsive and never plan in advance what or how I'm going to photograph.