The natural world can be intimidating at every level. A glimpse into this world can be seen in the winning photographs of the Nature inFocus photography competition, which were recently announced for 2024.

The struggle for survival is a constant theme in the natural world. The winners of the Nature inFocus photography contest highlight the environments and interactions of some of the planet’s most remarkable inhabitants. The photographs feature a wide range of species, from tiny insect larvae and seedlings to massive orca whales and sharks, showcasing life in all its scales. The competition’s photographers have captured the intense interactions between species fighting to survive, while also drawing attention to pressing issues like conservation and pollution.

Supun Dilshan took home the Photographer of the Year Portfolio award for “Trapped Between Worlds,” a series of images that document the plight of Sri Lankan elephants living on the outskirts of human settlements on the island. Please note that the images include both living and deceased elephants.

The winning images fall into several categories, including Animal Portraits, Animal Behavior, Conservation Photography, Creative Nature Photography, Wildscape & Animals in Their Habitat, and Photographer of the Year — Portfolio. Additionally, there was a special award for photographers under the age of 17.

The full set of winning images can be viewed below.

Click to open Slideshow

Not all wildlife photography is serious, as evidenced by Nikon’s annual comedy wildlife photo series, which can be found here. However, the images from the Nature inFocus competition remind us of the complex and fascinating world that exists beyond human perception. From the depths of the ocean to the sky above, life has found ways to adapt and evolve in diverse environments.

The inFocus images provide a glimpse into the lives of a select few of the incredible species that inhabit our planet, as well as their interactions with one another. As the name suggests, the images offer an intimate look at these creatures’ lives, revealing the intricate details that often go unnoticed when humans are not present, except for the photographers who capture these moments.