Photos: Best European Wildlife Pictures Announced

Toward the Light
Photograph by Gönye Csaba, GDT EWPY 2010
A snail moves toward the light in a photograph that won the "Other Animals" category in the 2010 European Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.
The contest, presented annually by the Society of German Nature Photographers, awards photographs in eight different categories as well as the Fritz Pölking Award and Fritz Pölking Junior Award.
(See related pictures: "Wild Europe Exposed by Giant Photo Project.")
In 2010, the competition received more than 11,000 entries from more than 29 countries. Entrants had to live in Europe, although their photographs were taken around the world.
Published November 10, 2010
Dinner on the Run
Photograph by Sven Zacek, GDT EWPY 2010
An otter dines on what appears to be a frog in Estonia in 2009.
The image won a "highly commended" mention in the mammals category of the 2010 European Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.
Published November 10, 2010
Treading Water
Photograph by Michel Roggo, GDT EWPY 2010
The legs and webbed feet of a mute swan are seen above a school of chub fish in Switzerland's Rhine River in 2010.
This image was judged the best bird image in the 2010 European Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.
(See photos: "Best Wild Animal Pictures of 2009 Announced.")
Published November 10, 2010
Ghostly Owl
Photograph by David Allemand and Christophe Sidamon-Pesson, GDT EWPY 2010
An owl looks like a glowing apparition as it flies through a snow-covered landscape in Quebec.
Titled "Snowy Owl," the photograph won a "highly commended" mention and the "Prize of the Audience" award in the 2010 European Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. The contest was open to photographers based in Europe, though images were not limited to European subjects.
(See "Best Environmental Photos of 2010 Named.")
Published November 10, 2010
First Swim
Photograph by Solvin Zankl, Fritz Pölking Award, GDT EWPY 2010
A young olive ridley turtle struggles against the ocean swell as it makes its way towards deeper water in Costa Rica.
The turtles do not feed for the first few days after hatching, opting instead to live on the remaining yolk from their egg sac (pictured on the hatchling's underside, above). (See more sea turtle pictures.)
This photograph was snapped by Solvin Zankl, a German wildlife photographer who won the 2010 Fritz Pölking Award.
Published November 10, 2010
Bracing Against the Tide
Photograph by Asier Castro de la Fuente, GDT EWPY 2010
A starfish braces against the tide in a photograph titled "The Comet."

The image was a runner-up for best image in the "Other Animals" category in the 2010 European Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.
Published November 10, 2010
Kingfisher Dive
Photograph by Manfred Delpho, GDT EWPY 2010
A kingfisher dives after fish in the water, its wings spread open to brake its descent.
This photograph won a "highly commended" mention in the "Underwater World" category of the 2010 European Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.
(See a kingfisher picture awarded as one of the best news pictures of 2009.)
Published November 10, 2010
"Magic" Dewdrop
Photograph by Michal Budzynski, Fritz Pölking Junior Award, GDT EWPY 2010
A dewdrop hangs from a plant in a photograph taken by Michal Budzynski, a Polish photographer and winner of the 2010 Fritz Pölking Junior Award.
Budzynski said in a press statement that he's willing to endure discomfort—such as exhausting hikes in the cold—to capture that "unique, magic moment."
(See "Pictures: Best Micro-Photos of 2010.")
Published November 10, 2010
Woodpecker Impression
Photograph by Josef Vorholt, GDT EWPY 2010
A young spotted woodpecker flew against a window pane and left behind this ghostly, x-ray-like impression of its plumage.
The photograph was a runner-up for best image in the "Man and Nature" category of the 2010 European Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.
(Visit National Geographic's backyard birding page.)
Published November 10, 2010
Fleeing Cheetah
Photograph by Britta Jaschinski, GDT EWPY 2010
A cheetah pauses just long enough to glance at a photographer as it flees the scene of a wildfire in Tanzania in October 2007.
Taken by London-based photographer Britta Jaschinski, this black and white image won the "Overall Winner" award in the 2010 European Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.
In a statement, Jaschinski recalled the moment this photograph was taken: "A bushfire had destroyed much of the region. Many large acacias lay in flames.
"Suddenly a cheetah appeared on the charred savannah. The fire really should have been a stroke of luck for the big cats: confused prey everywhere deprived of their cover. But the cheetah, too, seemed restless and uprooted, almost ghostlike. I took a picture and watched as the animal slowly disappeared on the scorched savannah."
(See the best environmental pictures of 2010.)
Published November 10, 2010