Award-winning Animal Photos

       

Sunbathing Heron by Emma Collins
Highly Commended, Junior entry in The Perfect Moment category
Who says birds can't do yoga? Poised gracefully on a beach on Kaafu Atoll in the Maldives, this heron is spreading its wings to catch some sun. After a tropical rainstorm, it adopts the pose to dry off the underside of its wings. (Image: Emma Collins/ZSL)

This giant panda stands serenely in a shaft of light, gnawing on bamboo leaves. It was unaware of the photographer, hidden from view in the surrounding darkness, as he snapped the photo at the Atlanta Zoo in Georgia. "I watched for a long time and the panda seemed very content," says Mayor. (Image: Tom Mayor/ZSL)

A green gecko perches on a papaya, blending in with the surrounding fruit. Photographed on the Sahamalaza peninsula in northern Madagascar, its colouring helps it hide from predators. It is able to perch confidently on the fruit thanks to hairs on its feet which provide a gravity-defying grip. (Image: Jeremy Cusack/ZSL)

Holding nature's Olympic torch, a leaf-cutter ant displays impressive strength as it is followed by a less-ambitious companion. The photo, taken in Costa Rica, captures one of the strongest ant species at work. These insects are also quite clever: they are known to trim foliage too large to fit under obstacles. (Image: Bence Mate/ZSL)

Its cheeks dappled with pink spots, this parrotfish looks like it is blushing. The tropical species is known for its bright colouring, which can change with its age. Parrotfish have also been known to change their shape and gender. (Image: Michael Gallagher/ZSL)

Description: Award-winning nature’s posers