Capturing Ecology 2022

The incredible winning images from our 2022 Photographic Competition: Capturing Ecology

The glowing golden eyes of a Helena’s Treefrog piercing through the darkness; the blissful calm of a bird floating on water; and the thrilling chase of a hungry mother leopard are among the winners of the British Ecological Society’s annual photography competition, ‘Capturing Ecology’.

This year’s winners tell a powerful story about the intricacies of nature, and our relationship with the natural world. From predator-prey dynamics on the earth, skies, and seas, to connections between people, wildlife, and the environments we share.

Captured by international ecologists and students, this year’s winning images and additional seven highly commended images celebrate the diversity of ecology, capturing flora and fauna from across the globe.

Read more about the winning images

Overall Winner: A light in the shadows, Roberto Garcia Roa, Lund University.

Overall Runner Up: Leopard Surprise! Peter Hudson, Department of Biology, Penn State University.

Overall Student Winner: Takeout, Sam Eberhard, University of California, Santa Cruz

Category 1 – Up Close and Personal

An image displaying the intricacy of nature using close-up or macro photography.

A gold - striped salamander is nestled amongst a jumble of eggs, easily mistakable for a collection of pearls.
Up Close and Personal Catagory Winner: Wild Pearls, Javier Lobon-Rovira.

Winner: Wild Pearls, Javier Lobon-Rovira, PhD student in the Doctoral Programme in Biodiversity, Genetics and Evolution (BIODIV) of the University of Porto and CIBIO-InBIO

Student Winner: Morning Dew, Francesca Martelli, Northumbria University.

Category 2 – Dynamic Ecosystems

Demonstrating interactions between different species within an ecosystem.

An army of fire ants climb over the pale peeling skin and glassy eye of a house gecko laying ontop of sandy rock.
Dynamic Ecosystems Catagory Winners: Invasive Battle - Fire Fierce, Javier Lobon-Rovira.

Winner: Invasive battle – fire fierce, Javier Lobon-Rovira, PhD student in the Doctoral Programme in Biodiversity, Genetics and Evolution (BIODIV) of the University of Porto and CIBIO-InBIO

Student Winner: Danger Spawning, Emma Weschke, University of Bristol

Category 3 – Individuals and Populations

A unique look at a species in its environment, either alone or as part of a population.

Winner: Night Guardian, Javier Lobon-Rovira, PhD student in the Doctoral Programme in Biodiversity, Genetics and Evolution (BIODIV) of the University of Porto and CIBIO-InBIO

Student Winner: The Shrike strikes again! Jennifer Holguin, The University of Texas at El Paso,

Category 4 – People and Nature

An interesting and original take on the relationships between people and nature.

A turtle swims over a shallow reef while a group of tourists gather behind with their cameras at the ready.
People and Nature Student Winner: Tourists in the Wild, Mackenzie Meier.

Winner: A New Plastic Home, Andreas Eich, No-Trash Triangle Initiative

Student Winner: Tourists in the Wild, Mackenzie Meier, University of Bristol

Category 5 – Ecology in Action

Showcasing the practice of ecology in action

PhD student Ruth Smith crouches beside a 42kg male giant pangolin (Smutsia gigantea), the largest on record, after taking tissue samples and lfitting a GPS devide to relay the animals location. The researchers portable kit can be seen in the backround, including a air mask fitted to pangolin.
Ecology in Action Student Winner: Studying the Most Trafficked Animal in the World

Winner: Bruma, Roberto Garcia Roa, Lund University

Student Winner: Studying the most trafficked animal in the world, Ruth Smith, Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre, University of Glasgow.

Category 6 – The Art of Ecology

A creative and original take on photography denoting ecology

A Horned Grebe calmly floats as the rising sunlight reflects of the waters surface. The bird and surrounding waters are coloured deep shades of blue, as the light glistens from behind.
The Art of Ecology Catagory Winner: Bubble Bath, Alwin Hardenbol.

Winner: Bubble Bath, Alwin Hardenbol, University of Eastern Finland.

Student Winner: Diwali in the forest, Naitik Patel, Wildlife Institute of India

Capturing Ecology Sponsored by Dryad