Jump directly to the content
Wild thing

Sparring eagles and a grinning frog: These are the incredible winning snaps from the Society of International Nature and Wildlife Photographers’ Animals in Action competition

Hundreds of people entered the international photography competition

PERFECTLY-timed photos capture wildlife in action.

The stunning snaps are winners and runners up of this year’s Society of International Nature and Wildlife Photographers' Animals in Action competition.

 John Hunt's capture of eagles fighting in the Danube Delta, Romania
13
John Hunt's capture of eagles fighting in the Danube Delta, RomaniaCredit: SWNS:South West News Service

Over 450 snappers entered the popular competition, but British photographer John Hunt flew away with the top prize.

His winning image featured two-white tails eagles fighting over some prey on the Danube Delta in Romania.

Kent-based photographer John revealed: "This was one of several I took of the eagles fighting over a kill.

"I was pleased because with this type of photography you are always trying to anticipate what will happen next."

 Elizabeth Howell's beautiful image of a bat skimming low over a body of water
13
Elizabeth Howell's beautiful image of a bat skimming low over a body of waterCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
 Kutub Uddin scooped two highly commended awards, one of which was for this laughing tree frog snap
13
Kutub Uddin scooped two highly commended awards, one of which was for this laughing tree frog snapCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
 Peter Jones' photo of white-tailed sea eagles in Japan scooped third prize in the contest
13
Peter Jones' photo of white-tailed sea eagles in Japan scooped third prize in the contestCredit: SWNS:South West News Service

Phil Jones, CEO of the Societies said: "We had more than 430 fantastic images entered for this competition and choosing a winner was a very difficult task.

"John's image was chosen as the judges felt it captured the theme of the competition perfectly."

 Katub Uddin also won highly commended for this shot of a jumping spider standing beside the decapitated head of a hoverfly
13
Katub Uddin also won highly commended for this shot of a jumping spider standing beside the decapitated head of a hoverflyCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
 Cindy Kassab's hummingbird image was another shot placed in the highly-commended category
13
Cindy Kassab's hummingbird image was another shot placed in the highly-commended categoryCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
 She was also joined by Alex Geifman, the man behind this stunning fox picture
13
She was also joined by Alex Geifman, the man behind this stunning fox pictureCredit: SWNS:South West News Service

Aussie snapper Elizabeth Howell, from New South Wales, scooped second place with her shot of a fruit bat skimming low over the water.

British photographer Peter Jones took the third spot with his picture of two white-tailed sea eagles fighting over a fish in Japan.

He said: "It was taken from the back of a boat in Japan's winter at Rausu in amongst the pack-ice."

 Graham Borthwick's gloomy snap of an owl hiding among the brickwork was another snap chosen out by the judges as highly commended
13
Graham Borthwick's gloomy snap of an owl hiding among the brickwork was another snap chosen out by the judges as highly commendedCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
 The composition of Karl Redshaw's image of a diving kingfisher was another snap that impressed the judges
13
The composition of Karl Redshaw's image of a diving kingfisher was another snap that impressed the judgesCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
 Lizzie Wallis was highly-commended for this perfectly timed shot which showed a herring gull appearing to walk on water
13
Lizzie Wallis was highly-commended for this perfectly timed shot which showed a herring gull appearing to walk on waterCredit: SWNS:South West News Service

Highly-commended entries included Cindy Kassab’s snap of a hummingbird, Alex Geifman’s fox portrait and Balox Berhati Nyaman fly photograph.

British photographer Lizzie Wallis was also highly-commended for her shot of a herring gull ‘walking’ on water in Flatanger, Norway.

The retired 53 year old from Norfolk said: "I had many shots where the wings were covering the gull's face or where the reflection was not perfect, so I was delighted with this shot."

 Boyton Beach photographer Zaifert took this highly-commended image of an Anhinga, also known as a snake bird
13
Boyton Beach photographer Zaifert took this highly-commended image of an Anhinga, also known as a snake birdCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
 Mario Fiorucci, from Argentina, took this image of a kiskadee enjoying a tiny fish for dinner
13
Mario Fiorucci, from Argentina, took this image of a kiskadee enjoying a tiny fish for dinnerCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
 Indonesian photographer Balox Berhati Nyman captured a fly carrying a piece of leaf
13
Indonesian photographer Balox Berhati Nyman captured a fly carrying a piece of leafCredit: SWNS:South West News Service

Nuneaton-based architectural photographer Karl Redshaw was also named on the highly-commended list for his image of a diving kingfisher, which he captured in Worcestershire.

Other highly-commended efforts included Graham Borthwick’s owl portrait and Florida-based Herbert Zaifert’s picture of a snake bird.

Kutub Uddin’s two snaps of a laughing tree frog and jumping spider also made the list.

Topics