Here Are the Incredible Winners of the 2022 World Nature Photography Awards

Crocodile emerging from the mud in Zimbabwe

“Danger in the Mud” by Jens Cullmann (Germany). Grand Prize Winner, World Nature Photographer of the Year and Gold, Animal Portraits. Subject: Crocodile. Location: Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe

After receiving thousands of entries from photographers around the globe, the World Nature Photography Awards have announced their winners. The top prize goes to Jens Cullmann for his incredible image of a crocodile swimming through the mud at the Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe. The German photographer learned of his win while on location in Botswana and was thrilled about his victory.

From a satellite phone, he shared a bit about the story behind the winning photograph. “This photograph is the result of my staking out the largest pool in Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe, at a time when an extended drought had reduced the pool to rapidly drying mud. I had to be very careful not to disturb the crocodile, even though it was buried in dry mud. They will launch themselves with tremendous speed and power at any animal foolish enough to come too close.”

Cullmann also shed some light on why the hot temperatures cause the crocodile to cover itself in mud. “During the dry season, temperatures can reach 45 degrees Celsius and crocodiles will attempt to reduce their body temperature by burying themselves in mud. A giant crocodile such as this one could survive submerged for months without eating, by living off its fat reserves. This is a process known as aestivation.”

His efforts in taking the photo certainly paid off, as it rose to the top of a strong pool of photographers. They submitted their work to 14 different categories that explore wildlife and the natural world. Other standout imagery includes Hidetoshi Ogata‘s adorable photo of Japanese macaques huddled together for a cuddle.

“This photo captures a rare moment during the lactation season when three pairs of monkeys have formed a huddle after grooming,” explains the Japanese photographer. “Most Awaji monkeys are non-aggressive and when they are raising their babies, mothers create individual communities that have no social hierarchies.”

Wildlife was not the only subject celebrated by the awards. Norwegian photographer Virgil Reglioni won the People and Nature category for a photograph that takes us inside an Icelandic glacier. “Not many people would even dare to go in there, where it is dark, deep, cold, loud, and wet” he shares. “And that is the whole purpose of this photograph; pushing your limits to capture what only a few people will ever experience at night.”

See all the winning images, as well as some of our favorite runner's ups below. And, if you want to throw your hat into the ring, the 2023 awards are now open for entry.

Check out the winners of the 2022 World Nature Photography Awards.

Japanese macaques on Awaji Island

“Playgroup” by Hidetoshi Ogata (Japan). Gold, Behavior – Mammals. Animal: Japanese macaques. Location: Awaji Island, Japan

Harlequin shrimp in Indonesia's Lembeh Strait

“Harlequin Shrimps” by Adriano Morettin (Italy). Gold, Underwater. Animal: Harlequin shrimps Hymanocera. Location: Lembeh strait, Indonesia

Snow leopard in the Indian Himalayas

“The World is Mine” by Sascha Fonseca (UAE). Gold, Animals in their Habitat. Animal: Snow leopard. Location: Indian Himalayas

Photo from inside a glacier up toward the stars in Iceland

“The Guts” by Virgil Reglioni (Norway). Gold, People and Nature. Subject: Inside a glacier. Location: Solheimajokull, South Iceland

Common kestrels inside rusted out street lamps

“The Home of the Kestrel” by Vladislav Tasev (UK). Gold, Urban Wildlife. Animal: Common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus). Location: Stara Zagora, Bulgaria

Black and white portrait of a lesser antillean iguana in Grenada

“Thankfulness” by Alain Ernoult (France). Gold, Black and White. Animal: Lesser Antillean Iguana. Location: Grenada Island, West Indies

Grand Tetons with the Milky Way

“The Grand Tetons” by Jake Mosher (USA). Gold, Planet Earth's landscapes and environments. Subject: Grand Teton Peak. Location: Wyoming, USA

Praying mantis feasting on a lizard in Japan

“Prey” by Takuya Ishiguro (Japan). Silver, Behavior – Invertebrates. Animal: Praying mantis and lizard. Location: Miyagi, Japan

Japanese stream toads

“Ride on You” by Norihiro Ikuma (Japan). Gold, Behavior – Amphibians and Reptiles. Animal: Japanese stream toad. Location: Owase Mountains, Mie, Japan

Crepidotus fungus on a log

“Fungus Horizon” by Mr. Endy (Singapore). Silver, Plants and fungi. Subject: Crepidotus fungus. Location: Windsor Nature Park, Singapore

Male Hooded Merganser skimming over a lake

“I'm Coming for You” by Charles Schmidt (USA). Gold, Behavior – Birds. Animal: Male Hooded Merganser. Location: Huntley Meadows Park, Alexandria, VA, USA

Red-billed Oxpecker Resting on the Snout of an Animal

“Connection” by Tamas Aranyossy (Hungary). Silver, Behavior – Birds. Animal: Red-billed Oxpecker. Location: Zimanga, South Africa

Eucalyptus tree on Mount Barker, Western Australia

“Tree of Life” by Julie Kenny (Australia). Gold, Plants and fungi. Subject: Eucalyptus tree. Location: Mount Barker, Western Australia

Red Crab Crawling on Rocks on La Gomera Island

“The Ghost of the Rocks” by Javier Herranz Casellas (Spain). Gold, Behavior – Invertebrates. Animal: Red crab (Grapsus adscensionis). Location: La Gomera Island, Spain

Spawning coral in the Red Sea

“Underwater Colorful Snowstorm” by Tom Shlesinger (Israel). Gold, Nature Art. Animal: Spawning coral. Location: Red Sea

Injured Australian Fur Seal

“Injured Fur Seal” by Nicolas Remy (Australia). Gold, Nature photojournalism. Animal: Australian fur seal. Location: Port Kembla, NSW, Australia

Laguna Colarada in Bolivia

“Parallel Universe” by Beatrice Wong (Hong Kong). Silver, Planet Earth's landscapes and environments. Location: Laguna Colarada, Bolivia.

Leopard climbing up a tree in Kenya

“Catch Me If You Can” by Thomas Vijayan (Canada). Silver, Animals in their Habitat. Animal: Leopard. Location: Kenya

World Nature Photography Awards: Website | Facebook | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by WNPA.

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Jessica Stewart

Jessica Stewart is a Contributing Writer and Digital Media Specialist for My Modern Met, as well as a curator and art historian. Since 2020, she is also one of the co-hosts of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. She earned her MA in Renaissance Studies from University College London and now lives in Rome, Italy. She cultivated expertise in street art which led to the purchase of her photographic archive by the Treccani Italian Encyclopedia in 2014. When she’s not spending time with her three dogs, she also manages the studio of a successful street artist. In 2013, she authored the book 'Street Art Stories Roma' and most recently contributed to 'Crossroads: A Glimpse Into the Life of Alice Pasquini'. You can follow her adventures online at @romephotoblog.
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