2012: Veolia Environnement Wildlife Photographer of the Year – Winner

Wildlife photography is one of the most popular items we write about. So many people would love to make pictures of wildlife but don’t have the time, gear or knowledge so being able to see the work of these winners is a joy

Paul Nicklen (Canada)

Bubble-jetting emperors

This was the image Paul had been so hoping to get: a sunlit mass of emperor penguins charging upwards, leaving in their wake a crisscross of bubble trails. The location was near the emperor colony at the edge of the frozen area of the Ross Sea, Antarctica. It was into the only likely exit hole that he lowered himself. He then had to wait for the return of the penguins, crops full of icefish for their chicks. Paul locked his legs under the lip of the ice so he could remain motionless, breathing through a snorkel so as not to spook the penguins when they arrived. Then it came: a blast of birds from the depths. They were so fast that, with frozen fingers, framing and focus had to be instinctive. ‘It was a fantastic sight’, says Paul, ‘as hundreds launched themselves out of the water and onto the ice above me’ – a moment that I felt incredibly fortunate to witness and one I’ll never forget.

The exhibition of this prestigious award is held at the Natural History Museum

Veolia Environnement Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition 2012
19 October 2012 – 3 March 2013
Open 10.00 – 17.50 daily

This world-renowned annual exhibition at the Natural History Museum provides a spotlight on the rarely seen wonders of the natural world.

The 100 winning images that will be on show are selected from 1,000s of international entries and are beautifully displayed in sleek backlit installations.

Admission:              Adult £10*, child and concessions £5*,                                    family £27* (up to 2 adults and 3 children).

You can book tickets on line here and directions are here

The competition is hosted by the NHM and the BBC and there is a link to pictures on the BBC website here

There is a fabulous book associated with this competition have a look at it here