{"id":526298,"date":"2025-10-25T05:01:30","date_gmt":"2025-10-25T05:01:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/526298\/"},"modified":"2025-10-25T05:01:30","modified_gmt":"2025-10-25T05:01:30","slug":"european-wildlife-photographer-of-the-year-winners-capture-natures-tragic-beauty","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/526298\/","title":{"rendered":"European Wildlife Photographer of the Year Winners Capture Nature&#8217;s Tragic Beauty"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img data-perfmatters-preload=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/gdt-wildlife-poty-2025-featured-800x420.jpg\" alt=\"A split image: a sea turtle glows with green bioluminescence underwater; an owl holds a small rodent in its talons in a moody black-and-white scene; two eagles feed on a carcass on snowy ground while a raven watches.\" width=\"800\" height=\"420\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-822134\"  \/><\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gdtfoto.de\/seiten\/gdt-european-wildlife-photographer-of-the-year-gallery-2025.html\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"follow external noopener\">German Society for Nature Photography<\/a> (GDT) has announced the winners of its annual <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gdtfoto.de\/seiten\/gdt-european-wildlife-photographer-of-the-year-gallery-2025.html\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"follow external noopener\">European Wildlife Photographer of the Year<\/a> competition, one of the world\u2019s most prestigious nature photography competitions. This year\u2019s winning photos are jaw-dropping, and in some cases, heartbreaking. Nature can be as brutal as it is beautiful. <\/p>\n<p>Alongside category winners, featured below, and the winners of the <a href=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/2025\/10\/02\/award-winning-photos-show-the-beauty-and-resilience-of-wildlife\/\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Fritz P\u00f6lking Prize<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/2025\/10\/01\/winners-of-rewilding-europe-award-capture-the-enduring-optimism-of-conservation-photography\/\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Rewilding Europe Award<\/a> announced earlier this fall, the European Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition features an overall winner. Revealed at an award ceremony today, the grand prize winner this year is 20-year-old self-taught German photographer Luca Lorenz. The young, passionate photographer took top honors for the remarkable black-and-white photo below, Silent Despair. <\/p>\n<p> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/allover_luca_lorenz_stille_verzweiflung-800x534.jpg\" alt=\"A black and white photo of an owl perched on a branch, holding a small rodent in its talons, surrounded by blurred tree branches and foliage in the background.\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" class=\"size-large wp-image-822115\"  \/>Silent Despair by Luca Lorenz \u2014 GDT European Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2025 Overall Winner | GDT European Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2025 <\/p>\n<p>The emotional impact of this image goes far beyond this single frame, which shows a doomed mouse clutched in the talons of a male Eurasian pygmy owl (Glaucidium passerinum). The male owl here was holding onto the mouse to feed his owlets, which he had been struggling to care for after his mate vanished, \u201cprobably taken by a tawny owl or goshawk,\u201d as Lorenz explains. <\/p>\n<p>However, the owlets the mouse was for had left their hollow for the first time the prior night, and ultimately never returned, most likely having fallen victim to a predator like their mother. The father owl, now entirely alone, called unendingly for the chicks so he could feed them, but they never responded. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt was a heart-wrenching scene,\u201d Lorenz writes. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cDuring our long journey through light, color, drama and action, a quiet, almost restrained image caught our attention. Suddenly we found ourselves transported out of the chaos of the world directly into a resin-scented spruce forest,\u201d explains jury member Bruno D\u2019Amicis. \u201cThe photographer grants us insight into the hidden life of a silent, inconspicuous creature \u2014 an animal that reveals itself only to those who bring patience and respect. It is a timeless story of life and death, told without brutality or blood, without winners or losers, without moral judgment. A nuanced, gentle reminder that there is no evil in nature.\u201d<\/p>\n<p> Category Winners  <\/p>\n<p>Alongside Lorenz\u2019s top honors, the competition awards photographers across eight primary categories and two youth ones. The category winners and runners-up for all primary categories are featured below, alongside the two youth winners in the \u201c14 Years and Under\u201d and \u201c15 to 17 Years\u201d categories. <\/p>\n<p> Birds  <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/k1_01_terje_kolaas_schwanensee-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"A snowy forest lines the edge of a dark river. Snow falls heavily, and a small group of swans swims together near the riverbank. Pine trees are dusted with snow, creating a wintry scene.\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" class=\"size-large wp-image-822116\"  \/>Swan Lake by Terje Kolaas, Winner | GDT European Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2025 <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/k1_02_audun_rikardsen_an_der_spitze_der_nahrungskette-800x535.jpg\" alt=\"Two eagles and two crows feed on the carcass of a large animal, possibly a whale, lying on snowy ground near a body of water, with snow-covered rocks and hills in the background.\" width=\"800\" height=\"535\" class=\"size-large wp-image-822117\"  \/>At the Top of the Food Chain by Audun Rikardsen, Runner-Up | GDT European Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2025 Mammals  <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/k2_01_federica_cordero_auf_zum_schwimmen-800x534.jpg\" alt=\"A large animal climbs down a slanted tree trunk over a dark, reflective body of water, surrounded by dense, tangled, leafless branches.\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" class=\"size-large wp-image-822118\"  \/>Time for a Swim! by Federica Cordero, Winner | GDT European Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2025 <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/k2_02_csaba_daroczi_nachtjaeger-700x800.jpg\" alt=\"Tall, leafless trees stretch into a starry night sky, seen from below. At the base of a tree in the foreground, a small animal, possibly a possum, peeks out from a hole in the trunk.\" width=\"700\" height=\"800\" class=\"size-large wp-image-822119\"  \/>Nighttime Hunter by Csaba Daroczi, Runner-Up | GDT European Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2025 Other Animals  <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/k3_01_tibor_litauszki_zwischen_den_sternen-601x800.jpg\" alt=\"A silhouette of a scorpion is seen against a glowing blue, textured background, with light radiating outward and creating a starry effect around the shadowy figure.\" width=\"601\" height=\"800\" class=\"size-large wp-image-822120\"  \/>Amongst the Stars by Andere Tiere, Winner | GDT European Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2025<br \/>\n <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/k3_02_ivo_niermann_nachtsicht-800x534.jpg\" alt=\"Close-up macro photo of a moth in low light, showing its antennae and glowing yellow eyes, with most details fading into a dark blue, shadowy background.\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" class=\"size-large wp-image-822121\"  \/>Night Vision by Ivo Niermann, Runner-Up | GDT European Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2025 Plants and Fungi  <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/k4_01_tobias_richter_inferno-800x534.jpg\" alt=\"A forest is engulfed in intense flames at night, with burning trees and glowing embers illuminating the dark scene. Thick smoke rises among the charred trunks and branches.\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" class=\"size-large wp-image-822122\"  \/>Inferno by Tobias Richter, Winner | GDT European Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2025 <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/k4_02_theo_bosboom_hasenklee-800x534.jpg\" alt=\"Close-up view from below of tall grasses and fluffy seed heads against a bright sky, with green stems and leaves filling the frame, creating a textured, natural scene.\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" class=\"size-large wp-image-822123\"  \/>Hare\u2019s-Foot Clover by Theo Bosboom, Runner-Up | GDT European Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2025 Landscapes  <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/k5_01_david_menzel_minimalistischer_dreiklang-800x534.jpg\" alt=\"A distant, sunlit ice shelf glows on the horizon beneath a pastel pink and orange sky over a dark, calm ocean.\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" class=\"size-large wp-image-822124\"  \/>Minimalistic Triad by David Menzel, Winner | GDT European Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2025 <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/k5_02_sven_zacek_goldschatz-800x546.jpg\" alt=\"Aerial view of a snowy landscape dotted with numerous frozen, irregularly shaped ponds reflecting golden sunlight, surrounded by sparse trees and patches of snow.\" width=\"800\" height=\"546\" class=\"size-large wp-image-822125\"  \/>Golden Treasure by Sven Za\u010dek, Runner-Up | GDT European Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2025 Underwater World  <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/k6_01_angel_fitor_unbesungene_helden-800x534.jpg\" alt=\"Underwater scene showing two mounds of sand on the seafloor, each with a plume of sand or sediment rising upward, surrounded by sparse aquatic plants and illuminated by soft blue light.\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" class=\"size-large wp-image-822126\"  \/>Unsung Heroes by Angel Fitor, Winner | GDT European Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2025 <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/k6_02_jonathan_fieber_rollentausch-800x534.jpg\" alt=\"A snake submerged in murky water is being attacked by several small, dark leeches clinging to its body, especially around its head and sides. The snake\u2019s pattern is visible through the water.\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" class=\"size-large wp-image-822127\"  \/>Role Reversal by Jonathan Fieber, Runner-Up | GDT European Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2025<br \/>\n Men and Nature <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/k7_01_britta_jaschinski_spurensicherung-800x549.jpg\" alt=\"A sea turtle seen from above glows with green bioluminescence against a dark, star-like underwater background illuminated by neon green lights.\" width=\"800\" height=\"549\" class=\"size-large wp-image-822128\"  \/>Forensics by Britta Jaschinski, Winner | GDT European Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2025 <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/k7_02_audun_rikardsen_gefaehrliches_mahl-800x497.jpg\" alt=\"A whale feeds among dead fish floating on the ocean\u2019s surface at dusk, with a fishing boat illuminated in the background and dark clouds overhead.\" width=\"800\" height=\"497\" class=\"size-large wp-image-822129\"  \/>Dangerous Meal by Audun Rikardsen, Runner-Up | GDT European Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2025 Nature\u2019s Studio  <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/k8_01_hannu_ahonen_der_krieg_ist_nah-547x800.jpg\" alt=\"Close-up of intricate frost patterns radiating outward from a small central hole on a glass surface, with silvery and bluish hues creating a textured, almost feather-like appearance.\" width=\"547\" height=\"800\" class=\"size-large wp-image-822130\"  \/>War is Near by Hannu Ahonen, Winner | GDT European Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2025 <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/k8_02_anja_brouwer_schwarz_weiss_und_rot-800x534.jpg\" alt=\"A large flock of black and white birds with orange beaks standing closely together on a snowy surface, some in motion creating a blurred effect.\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" class=\"size-large wp-image-822131\"  \/>Black, White, and Red by Anja Brouwer, Runner-Up | GDT European Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2025 Young Photographers \u2014 14 Years Old and Younger  <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/k9_01_0-14_lubin_godin_im_morgengrauen-800x534.jpg\" alt=\"Silhouettes of two mountain goats stand on rocky peaks against an orange, misty sky, with one goat in the foreground and another in the background.\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" class=\"size-large wp-image-822132\"  \/>At Dawn by Lubin Godin, Winner | GDT European Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2025 Young Photographers \u2014 15 to 17 Years Old  <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/k9_01_15-17_alexis_tinker_tsavalas_praedator-800x534.jpg\" alt=\"A close-up macro image of a small, reddish-brown pseudoscorpion gripping a translucent prey insect with its large pincers on a textured surface.\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" class=\"size-large wp-image-822133\"  \/>Predator by Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas, Winner | GDT European Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2025 <\/p>\n<p>The rest of the award-winning photographs, including third-place and honorable mention shots in every category, are available to view on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gdtfoto.de\/seiten\/gdt-european-wildlife-photographer-of-the-year-gallery-2025.html\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"follow external noopener\">European Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2025 website<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Image credits:<\/strong> German Society for Nature Photography (GDT). Individual photographers are credited in the image captions. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The German Society for Nature Photography (GDT) has announced the winners of its annual European Wildlife Photographer of&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":526299,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3939],"tags":[933,4021,4020,1442,48766,4022,77,170711,170712,6179,729,52289,16,15,1717,131568],"class_list":{"0":"post-526298","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-arts-and-design","8":"tag-animals","9":"tag-arts","10":"tag-arts-and-design","11":"tag-competition","12":"tag-contest","13":"tag-design","14":"tag-entertainment","15":"tag-europeanwildlifephotographeroftheyear","16":"tag-gdt","17":"tag-landscape","18":"tag-nature","19":"tag-photocontest","20":"tag-uk","21":"tag-united-kingdom","22":"tag-wildlife","23":"tag-wildlifephotographeroftheyear"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/115433052291468833","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/526298","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=526298"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/526298\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/526299"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=526298"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=526298"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=526298"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}