The 2021 winners of the World Nature Photography Awards (WNPA) have been announced, and they are breathtaking.

Amos Nachoum from the United States won first place and $1,000 for his photo of a leopard seal getting ready to catch a weak Gentoo penguin.

On Plano, a little island off the Antarctic Peninsula, Nachoum waited patiently for low tide, when seals sneak into lagoons in quest of food.

Images depicting Earth’s splendor have been submitted in all 14 categories, though.

The contest’s organizers feel that photography may highlight the natural world’s magnificence and wonder, encouraging us to take action now to assure a better tomorrow for everyone, as humanity’s relationship with Earth gradually turns to one of protection rather than plunder. And when you see the list of winners, you can’t argue with them. 
If you need some motivation, scroll below.

More info: worldnaturephotographyawards.com/ Instagram

#1 Animal Portraits, Bronze: Amit Eshel, Israel

World Nature Photography Awards Winners

#2 Black And White, Gold: Vince Burton, UK

World Nature Photography Awards Winners

#3 Behaviour Amphibians And Reptiles, Silver: Massimo Giorgetta, Italy

World Nature Photography Awards Winners

#4 Behaviour Mammals, Gold Winner And Grand Prize: Amos Nachoum, USA

World Nature Photography Awards Winners

#5 Urban Wildlife, Silver: Mohammad Murad, Kuwait

World Nature Photography Awards Winners

#6 Animals In Their Habitat, Gold: Thomas Vijayan, Canada

World Nature Photography Awards Winners

#7 Behaviour Invertebrates, Gold: Chin Leong Teo, Singapore

World Nature Photography Awards Winners

#8 Animal Portraits, Silver: Neelutpaul Barua, India

World Nature Photography Awards Winners

#9 Behaviour Birds, Silver: Robert J. Ross, USA

World Nature Photography Awards Winners

#10 Behaviour Mammals, Bronze: Buddhilini De Soyza, Australia

World Nature Photography Awards Winners

#11 Behaviour Amphibians And Reptiles, Gold: Shayne Kaye, Canada

World Nature Photography Awards Winners

#12 Animal Portraits, Gold: Tom Vierus, Fiji

World Nature Photography Awards Winners

#13 Behaviour Mammals, Silver: William Fortescue, UK

World Nature Photography Awards Winners

#14 Black And White, Silver: Avanka Fernando, Sri Lanka

World Nature Photography Awards Winners

#15 Black And White, Bronze: Michael Stavrakakis, Australia

World Nature Photography Awards Winners

#16 Plants And Fungi, Bronze: Jan Czeczotka, Germany

World Nature Photography Awards Winners

#17 Animals In Their Habitat, Bronze: Christian Tuckwell Smith, UK

World Nature Photography Awards Winners

#18 Nature Art, Bronze: Gabriel Barathieu, Mayotte

World Nature Photography Awards Winners

#19 People And Nature, Gold: Sabrina Inderbitzi, Switzerland

World Nature Photography Awards Winners

#20 Planet Earth’s Landscape And Environments, Gold: Sam Wilson, Australia

World Nature Photography Awards Winners

#21 Behaviour Birds, Bronze: Robert Maynard, UK

World Nature Photography Awards Winners

#22 Nature Photojournalism, Gold: Alain Schroeder, Belgium

World Nature Photography Awards Winners

#23 Animals In Their Habitat, Silver: Celia Kujala, USA

World Nature Photography Awards Winners

#24 Urban Wildlife, Gold: Matthijs Noome, USA

World Nature Photography Awards Winners

#25 Behaviour Birds, Gold: Ashok Behera, India

World Nature Photography Awards Winners

#26 People And Nature, Silver: Mike Eyett, Switzerland

World Nature Photography Awards Winners

#27 Nature Art, Silver: Monika Schneider, Germany

World Nature Photography Awards Winners

#28 Nature Art, Gold: Federico Testi, Italy

World Nature Photography Awards Winners

#29 Urban Wildlife, Bronze: Alex Pansier, Netherlands

World Nature Photography Awards Winners

#30 Planet Earth’s Landscape And Environments, Bronze: Rie Asada, Japan

World Nature Photography Awards Winners