Our favorite snapshots from the thrilling BigPicture contest of 2019

Every year, the extraordinary BigPicture Photography Competition by the prestigious California Academy of Sciences honors exceptional photographers and showcases the most breathtaking images of the year. The winning photos brilliantly capture Earth’s magnificent variety of life, while also serving as a call to action for safeguarding and preserving our planet. Each captivating picture, in its own unique way, inspires us to cherish and protect the remarkable diversity of life on Earth. Let me share with you some of our personal favorites from this year’s unforgettable contest.

Check out this captivating photograph called “Taking Center Stage” by Audun Rikardsen. It won the grand prize in Tromsø, Norway.

Now, I need to tell you that this male black grouse might not fully appreciate the stunning coastline of Norway’s north. But one thing is for sure: it knows the perfect spot to show off. This bird is famous for its lively territorial displays during mating season. And where better to strut its stuff than on this branch, offering a bird’s-eye view of the land below.

When I first discovered this spot overlooking the sea, it was because of an amazing golden eagle that called it home. I was so captivated by this majestic bird that I decided to set up a blind nearby and spend my days photographing it. As winter turned into spring, however, the golden eagle moved on, and a new star took its place.

Now, my attention was captured by a black grouse, proudly displaying its feathers. Surprisingly, the grouse didn’t seem bothered by the constant clicking of my camera or the bright flash that accompanied each shot. In fact, it almost seemed like the bird was enjoying the attention.

The Human Touch by James Gifford – Human/Nature Winner – Virunga National Park, Democratic Republic of the Congo

I want to tell you about André Bauma, the brave man who takes care of orphaned gorillas at the Senkwekwe Center in Virunga National Park. Every day, he puts his life at risk to save these amazing animals. It’s hard to believe, but more than 170 rangers have lost their lives in the park over the years. The Senkwekwe Center has even been attacked by rebels multiple times. But through it all, Bauma has never given up on the gorillas. He says, “We are like a big family. We are their mothers.”

Bauma is a man who takes care of orphaned animals with the goal of eventually releasing them back into the park. But for now, the gorillas see Bauma and his team as their family. Photographer James Gifford had the opportunity to witness the special bond between Bauma and the gorillas. He saw one of the gorillas give Bauma a big hug, capturing the incredible connection they share. “I’ve never seen such a close and natural relationship between a human and a wild animal before,” said Gifford. It’s truly a unique and heartwarming sight.

Boneyard Waltz by Daniel Dietrich – Terrestrial Wildlife Finalist – Kaktovic, Alaska

I see three polar bears wandering past a big pile of whale bones on the edge of Barter Island in Alaska. This trio of bears is the king of the Arctic and usually hunt alone. But these ones are still learning from their mom, which is why they’re together.

Finally, I’ll have the chance to explore the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge on my own. This vast wilderness stretches across over 30,000 square miles. It’s a real treasure, but there’s an unfortunate possibility that it won’t remain untouched forever. You see, this region is believed to hold around 7.7 billion barrels of oil that can be extracted.

On top of that, climate change is making life much more difficult for us polar bears. We have to roam much farther to find the food we need to survive. It’s a tough journey, but we have no choice.

However, right now, my siblings and I face a more immediate danger. The runt among us looks back and sees a massive male bear following behind. With that, all three of us quickly slip into the icy waters of the Beaufort Sea.

Hey there! Let me tell you a fascinating story about termites in sub-Saharan Africa. These little creatures usually live underground without eyes or wings. But once a year, something magical happens.

When the dry season ends and the heavy rains begin, termite queens produce a special kind of offspring – winged termites that are ready for a new adventure.

It’s a spectacle of nature when millions of these amazing insects suddenly appear, all at once, and take flight. They create a synchronized dance in the sky, although it doesn’t last very long.

Once they land on the ground, something extraordinary happens. The termites break off their wings and start searching for their perfect partners. It’s like a termite speed dating event!

Isn’t it fascinating how these subterranean creatures can become winged wonders for a brief moment? Nature truly is full of surprises.

Imagine waking up one morning to find the ground covered in a sea of discarded wings. That’s right, within a single day, an entire carpet of wings can appear as if by magic. And this peculiar phenomenon doesn’t just stop at providing a soft walkway for creatures. No, it goes even further. You see, these abandoned wings also create a perfect playground for a whole host of other creatures to frolic upon.

Take these tiny, winged carpenter ants, for example. In this mesmerizing photo, you can see them energetically scurrying across the Earth. What are they doing? Well, they’ve just completed their very own, dare I say, romance in the sky. Yes, you heard me right. These ants take to the air in a captivating aerial mating dance. And once they’ve found their partner, they gently float back down to Earth, leaving their magnificent wings behind.

I have discovered an incredible image called “Bohemian Skirt” by Jinggong Zhang, which is a finalist in the Aquatic Life category of the Anilao, Philippines competition.

This image showcases a remarkable survival strategy employed by the female palmate octopus (Tremoctopus gracilis). While the males of this species are quite small, measuring less than an inch in length, the females grow to astonishing sizes, reaching up to 6.6 feet.

One of the most striking features of these females is the elaborate skirt-like membrane that extends from two of their elongated arms. These membranes create a captivating display as the octopuses gracefully navigate the open ocean. When faced with a threat, the female will unfurl her majestic membrane, using it to create a billowing banner that both intimidates and fascinates.

When I think about an octopus and how it defends itself, it’s truly fascinating. You see, when a predator comes at her, she has a special trick up her sleeve – or rather, her membrane. This flexible layer, called the mantle, covers her body and can expand rapidly, making her appear much larger than she actually is. It’s like she’s putting on a show, trying to intimidate her would-be attacker.

But here’s where it gets really interesting. If the predator is particularly relentless and not scared off by her grand display, the octopus has another clever move. She can detach parts of her membrane, creating visible ‘fracture’ lines, and send them swirling through the water. It’s like a bullfighter’s cape, distracting the predator and giving the octopus a chance to escape unnoticed. It’s a genius escape plan that allows her to outsmart her enemies and live to see another day.

Hey there, let me tell you about this incredible place in Norway called Senja Island. Now, it might not be the most famous spot in the country, but trust me, it’s starting to make a name for itself. There’s this one mountain over there called Segla that’s really stealing the show. It’s a massive peak that stands proudly at around 2,100 feet above the sea. Can you imagine that? It’s like a symbol of the ruggedness and untamed beauty of northern Norway.

And let me tell you, Senja Island is a haven for wildlife. You’ve got reindeer wandering around the tundra, minding their own business. But that’s not all. The surrounding waters are teeming with life too. Humpback whales, orcas, and sea eagles are all there, hunting down delicious herring in the narrow fjords. It’s a real nature extravaganza!

I have some exciting news to share with you! Recently, there was a big threat to the beautiful ecosystems of Senja and nearby islands in the Norwegian Arctic. These places are not only home to wildlife but also serve as an important source of food and income for many Norwegians. Can you believe it?

But guess what? The Labour Party in Norway stepped up and made a bold decision in April of this year. They decided to protect Senja and its surrounding areas from any oil drilling or exploration. This means that these places will remain wild and untouched for years to come – isn’t that amazing?

I must admit, I was surprised by this news, just like many others. It’s wonderful to see a government taking such decisive action to preserve nature. By safeguarding these ecosystems, the Labour Party has ensured that future generations will be able to enjoy their beauty and the wildlife that call them home.

There’s a photo called “Resilience” taken by Julie Fletcher, and it’s one of the finalists in the Terrestrial Wildlife category. The picture captures a kangaroo on Kangaroo Island in South Australia, which is a place that experienced some really intense fires in 2018. It was a year with super hot temperatures, and there was a terrible drought. You can imagine how difficult it is for slow-moving koalas to survive in those kinds of conditions.

But what makes this photo so incredible is that it shows a koala that managed to survive the fires. The koala’s fur is kind of burnt and brownish, but that doesn’t stop it from climbing a tree and eating crispy leaves. Julie Fletcher, the photographer, was there to witness this amazing moment. She says the koala watched her the whole time, and there was something about its gaze that really told a story.

As I stand here in the Namib-Naukluft Desert of Namibia, I am captivated by the breathtaking sight before me. A graceful gemsbok, known for its elegant horns and streamlined body, is gracefully ascending a towering, rust-red dune. With each step, the fine sand beneath its hooves cascades down the dune, creating a mesmerizing spectacle.

This arduous climb is not an easy feat for the gemsbok. The scorching sun beats down on the desert, intensifying the already sweltering heat. But there is a reward awaiting the antelope at the summit. As it reaches the ridge-line, a refreshing breeze caresses its face. This inland breeze, carried from the nearby Atlantic Ocean, brings with it a cool and invigorating respite.

What fascinates me the most is the extraordinary adaptability of this remarkable creature. The gemsbok possesses a unique cooling mechanism that allows it to thrive in these harsh conditions. Through its intricate nasal passages, it inhales the cooler air from the breeze. As this air travels through its convoluted nasal passages, it cools the blood destined for its brain. This ingenious biological process helps regulate the gemsbok’s body temperature, preventing it from overheating in this relentless environment.

Wow, can you believe that lizards can actually swim in the ocean? It seems so strange, but it’s true! The marine iguanas of the Galápagos Islands are the only lizards out there brave enough to take the plunge. And not only do they swim, they do it on a regular basis. You see, these little guys have had to adapt to survive in an environment where food is hard to come by. Along the volcanic coastlines of the islands, they just can’t find enough to eat, so they’ve learned to go underwater in search of their meals.

It’s pretty impressive, actually. These marine iguanas can dive down as deep as 25 meters with just one breath! They shimmy their way through the water, looking for algae to munch on. And let me tell you, there’s plenty of that in the cold, nutrient-rich waters of the Galápagos Islands. It’s like a carpet of green and red algae down there, and it’s the perfect buffet for these hungry lizards.

Imagine what it must be like for them to swim through that underwater jungle, surrounded by all that delicious food. And after a long dive, they get to relax on the shore, basking in the sun and warming up their bodies. It’s definitely worth it for them, just look at this beautiful image captured by Pier Mané. That vibrant carpet of algae makes their underwater adventures and beach time all the more rewarding.

Unfortunately, as I mentioned in a previous story, it’s not always easy to find enough healthy food here. Sometimes, the water gets warmer because of El Niño, and this can be very bad for the iguanas. The warm water kills off the good stuff they like to eat and replaces it with seaweed, which isn’t as good for them. This can really hurt the iguana populations, but they have a clever trick up their sleeves to help them survive, as long as it doesn’t happen too often: they can shrink themselves down to need less food.

I found myself in a mesmerizing place atop the high plains of northwestern Argentina. It was an incredible experience, capturing the essence of nature’s artistry. The Salar de Antofalla, with its vast expanse of salt pans, was truly breathtaking.

Standing at an altitude of 3,900 meters (12,795 feet), I was surrounded by the raw beauty of the landscape. The colors of the Salar seemed to transform as the passing clouds painted shadows upon its surface. It was as if the heavens themselves were casting a spell on this otherworldly place.

But what struck me the most was the absence of human presence. Here, in the heart of the Salar, life was scarce. The dry salt bed offered little support for living organisms. Even on the fringes, where towering volcanoes stood, only the hardiest plants and animals could survive. It was a testament to the unforgiving nature of this region.

Wind and drought have sculpted this land, giving it its unique and surreal beauty. As I stood there, I couldn’t help but marvel at the delicate balance between harshness and magnificence. And I couldn’t help but wonder how this fragile ecosystem has managed to endure.

Imagine this: I was able to take a jaw-dropping photograph of a gigantic brown bear skillfully catching salmon underwater. Crazy, right? You might think it’s impossible or even downright reckless. But let me tell you how I managed to pull off this incredible feat. It took a lot of clever thinking, an ocean of patience, and a sanctuary teeming with bears.

In order to increase my chances of capturing this extraordinary moment, I decided to venture into the South Kamchatka Sanctuary. This place is a huge federally-protected reserve located on the far end of Russia’s easternmost peninsula. Spanning a whopping 322,000 hectares (795,000 acres), it’s a secluded haven for wildlife.

Guess what? This place is not just any ordinary home for bears. Nope, it’s like a paradise for them. With the largest population of protected brown bears in Russia, this sanctuary is their ultimate spot. And you know what makes it even cooler? The rivers here are like a superhighway for salmon, attracting one of the biggest salmon runs along the entire Pacific Coast. It’s basically a bear’s dream come true.

So, picture this: the Ozemaya River, which happens to be one of the bears’ all-time favorite fishing spots. One day, this genius wildlife photographer named Korostelev had a brilliant idea. He submerged a fancy camera that can be operated from a distance, into the river. And you won’t believe what happened next.

Before he knew it, a curious bear spotted the camera just sitting there at the bottom of the river. It must have been like finding a shiny new toy for the bear! Of course, it couldn’t resist investigating this strange thing. And right at that moment, Korostelev clicked the shutter and captured this unbelievable photo. Seriously, it’s mind-blowing.

P.S.: If you’re interested, make sure you check out “The Getaway Gallery” for more amazing pictures like this.