Wildlife Photographer of the Year: Rain Lions and Kangaroos Coming Out of Forest Fires on Human Rights Award List | World news

A “touching” image of willows reflected in a frozen Italian lake won the Wildlife Photographer of the Year award – with photos of male lions in the rain and kangaroos emerging from a wildfire among those on the list.

The winter shot of Lake Santa Croce in northern Italy ranked first in an online poll of more than 31,800 nature lovers and photography from a list of 25 images.

The photo was taken by Italian photographer Cristiano Vendramin

The shortlist for the People’s Choice Award was selected by the Natural History Museum.

A total of 50,000 images from 95 countries were submitted to the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.

Among the 25 photos on the shortlist, an image of two male lions in the rain and a portrait of a kangaroo and her Joey emerging from the effects of forest fires in Australia were also popular with voters.

A shot of a surprising meeting between an eagle and a bear on a tree and an image of two male golden pheasants were the other photos that turned out to be the most popular among online voters.

The winning photo and the four runners-up will be on display at the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition at the Natural History Museum in London.

Mr. Vendramin took his winning photo while visiting the lake, noticing that the water was unusually high and the willows were partially submerged, creating reflections on the water.

Remind him of a close friend who loved the place and is no longer here, he said, adding: “I want to think that he made me feel this feeling that I will never forget. That’s why this photo is dedicated to him. “

And he said: “I hope that my photography will encourage people to understand that the beauty of nature can be found all around us and we can be pleasantly surprised by the many landscapes so close to home.

“I believe that the daily connection with nature is increasingly necessary for a peaceful and healthy life.

“Therefore, nature photography is important to remind us of this connection that we must maintain and in whose memory we can find refuge.”

Dr Douglas Greer, director of the National History Museum, said: “Cristiano’s necessary image symbolizes the positive impact that nature can have on our well-being and life.

“It can provide comfort and space for reflection on the past and even give hope for the future.

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“These last two years have redefined what really matters in life, people and the environment that play a crucial role in our personal ecosystems.

“I hope that those who look at this time-frozen landscape will be reminded of the importance of connecting with the natural world and the steps we all need to take to protect it.”