Anyone can snatch up a photo , but not everybody gets to see a gathering of king penguins or two adult male lions cuddling each other . These are just a few of the majestic second that are up for the Natural History Museum of London ’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year Award for 2018 .
This competition , now in its 54th yr , accepts submissions from anyone , but the people settle who gain ground . It ’s a people option award withvoting openuntil February 5 . Until June 30 , the museum is displaying the 25 contenders in an exhibit — a bantam number compare to the 45,000 submissions from 95 commonwealth . After that ends , one lensman will get to show off with an exposition dedicated to the winning photograph .
“ invigorate audiences to connect with the natural world is at the heart of what we do as a museum , and that ’s why we ’re so proud to run this competition , ” said Ian Owens , the museum ’s director of science , in a jam release .
The photos vary widely in subject matter , from an orca whale carcase to a gravid mouse - eared bat to landscape painting like a melting glacier . They each tell their own story , but it ’s up to the public to choose which one tells it well . In the meantime , enjoy some of our favourite from the museum ’s shortlist .
