Winners for the Best Wildlife Photos of the Year

01

Talk About a Shock to Your System

via Wildlife photographer of the year 2019 winners – in pictures | The Guardian

This moment in time captured by photographer Yongqing Bao, is called "The Moment." The scene is a Tibetan fox and a marmot that had ventured out of its hole. It was soon after the end of hibernation, so naturally the marmot was hungry. But the look on that rodents face says it all: "Oh @#$%"

02

Don't Mind Me I'm Just Going to Knaw On You a Bit

via Wildlife photographer of the year 2019 winners – in pictures | The Guardian

This Llama seems pretty chill for an animal that is about to be eaten. Then again how are you supposed to react when a big cat suddenly pounces and grabs you by the neck. This amazing interaction was captured in the area of Patagonia Chile, and one the award for the "Mammals Behavior Joint Winner."

03

Even Ants Have Gang Signs

via Wildlife photographer of the year 2019 winners – in pictures | The Guardian

These ants are absolutely incredible. Nomadic army ants will use their bodies to build nests during the day time, even creating massive chains of passiges and keep the structure sturdy by interlocking their claws. But the tunnels are used in order to transport the larvae and queen to a safe location with the "hive" It one the award for "Invertebrates Behavior."

04

Who Wants a Hug ?

via Wildlife photographer of the year 2019 winners – in pictures | The Guardian

05

Frogs Here Frogs There Frogs Were Jumping Everywhere

via Wildlife photographer of the year 2019 winners – in pictures | The Guardian

Manuel Plaickner is passionate about frogs. He has been following them for the last decade as they mass migrate after hibernating. Due to rising spring temperatures, the frogs emerge and have an immediate need to breed, and so they head for water, oftentimes the very breeding ground where their lives started. It one the "Amphibians and Reptiles Behavior" prize.

06

Patriotic Background is Patriotic

via Wildlife photographer of the year 2019 winners – in pictures | The Guardian

This shot just takes dedication. Audun Rikardsen of Norway set up his camera and equipment on a tree branch, hoping it would be a perfect lookout for golden eagles. Using road kill carrion and a lot of patience, over the course of 3 years an eagle from the area got comfortable enough to start using the branch as its perch. The result was this perfect capture in time. I wonder what its about to hunt?

07

Are We There YET?

via Wildlife photographer of the year 2019 winners – in pictures | The Guardian

Chiru are antelopes with incredible endurance. Found in China's Shan nature reserve, and living at altitudes up to 18,000 feet, these animals are not the most accessible to get up close with. There was once over 1 million of the amazing animals, but due to their unique underfur, they have been overhunted to nearly extinction, with only 70,000 chirus left.

08

If We All Bow Our Heads They Can't Tell the Difference

via Wildlife photographer of the year 2019 winners – in pictures | The Guardian

Here more than 5000 male emperor penguins huddle for warmth against the most brutal winter on the planet. Located in the Atka Bay of Antarctica, each male has one task, to keep a precious egg warm that their female partners entrusted to them. They then head for the sea, searching for food, while the men "play house," and nearly freeze.

09

Im Horny How About You?

via Wildlife photographer of the year 2019 winners – in pictures | The Guardian

These Dall Sheep aren't photoshopped, they are literally that white. In the Yukon Mountains of Canada, these creatures fight for dominance, smashing their horns together in an attempt to give each other a concussion, and have them end their football career years early. No they actually are fighting for ego and who gets first pick for mates, but the first reason seems more plausible.

10

Jaguar Trying On Zebra Camoflage

via Wildlife photographer of the year 2019 winners – in pictures | The Guardian

This is a projection of an image of a Jaguar on the US border wall. The meaning is quite symbolic. Up until the last century, jaguars, who are now known to roam the rain forest, also were found across the South-West US, but human impact has caused the practical extinction of the species in the US. Only 2 males are known to still roam the lands between New Mexico and Arizona.

11

The Invasion is Upon Us!

via Wildlife photographer of the year 2019 winners – in pictures | The Guardian

These cute little guys are just looking for food. Found in incredible numbers, these brown rats are checking in near some bin bags of food waste. What is insane, is that in NYC alone, there are more rats than people. Some estimates put the number as high as 33 million. This won the award for Urban Wildlife.

12

That's a Lot of Questions

via Wildlife photographer of the year 2019 winners – in pictures | The Guardian

This is a field of garden eels, nearly 2/3 of a football field in size. The largest one ever seen by the photographer, this is found off the coast of the Philippines, a cornerstone of the "coral triangle." These eels are not a danger to humans or even fish, as they focus on eating small plankton for their dinner.

13

Buffalo, Meet BuffaSnow

via Wildlife photographer of the year 2019 winners – in pictures | The Guardian

Winter whiteouts are incredible events. The sheer amount of snow and wind is palpable, and they are notorious in Yellowstone National Park. Whiteouts can reduce visibility to 0, and strand people and animals alike unlucky enough to get caught in them.

14

What A Scintillating Sight

via Wildlife photographer of the year 2019 winners – in pictures | The Guardian

This squid was actually just getting laid in this picture. Bigfin Reef Squid can be found all over off the coast of Indonesia. The cephalopod during its courtship lets off a wide variety of lines, spots, strips, and flashing colors. Though the female immediately scooted away as the photographers approached, the male waited around long enough before swimming after her to capture this shot.

15

The Monkey King is Back

via Wildlife photographer of the year 2019 winners – in pictures | The Guardian

This monkey in Ethiopia's Simien mountains is an incredible find. The Gelada huddle together on cliff ledges for warmth and safety at night, and go down to graze on the grassland below during the day. Protected in the area of a national park, these monkeys are also called "bleeding-heart monkeys," they are the only monkeys known to graze, instead of eating a wide diet, but this may also have to do with their location.