Best Wildlife Pictures: British Nature Awards 2011

Urban Wildlife: "Champagne Starling"

Photograph courtesy David Biggs, BWPA

Starlings burst like bubbles from a tree near Shropshire, England, in a picture that earned top honors in the photo contest's "Urban Wildlife" category.

Photographer David Biggs described his experience in a statement: "A roost of starlings flew into a group of trees behind my house. I quickly grabbed my camera, stood on top of the garden furniture, and started to photograph these wonderful creatures.

"The birds finally settled, and then there was silence until something spooked them and the tree burst into life. As they left, I shed a tear."

Published September 27, 2011

Animal Behavior: "Grey Heron Walking on Water"

Photograph courtesy Andrew Parkinson, BWPA

In the winning photo in the "Animal Behavior" category, a grey heron dances across a lake in Derbyshire, England.

"It was dawn at a secluded fishing lake when this heron suddenly plunged, osprey-like, into the middle of the lake, emerging moments later with a fish," photographer Andrew Parkinson said.

"This image captures the moment that it powered out of the water and took flight."

Published September 27, 2011

Coast and Marine: "Grey Seal Beneath Cliffs"

Photograph courtesy Alexander Mustard, BWPA

A grey seal seems to greet photographer Alexander Mustard near Devon, England, in a highly commended picture in the contest's "Coast and Marine" category.

Pictures from the British Wildlife Photography Awards and other award-winning photographs will be featured during the first WildlifeXpo, an art exhibition that will take place between October 14 and 28 at London's Alexandra Palace.

Published September 27, 2011

Urban Wildlife: "Tabby Cat with Blackbird"

Photograph courtesy Doug Mackenzie Dodds, BWPA

A domestic cat carries its nestling prey in Berkshire, England, in a highly commended picture in the "Urban Wildlife" category.

"verall, we were "delighted to see how many people from around the U.K. were inspired by the competition to explore nature in their local area," said judge Paul Wilkinson of the U.K. nonprofit The Wildlife Trusts.

Published September 27, 2011

Seasons: "Summer Insects"

Photograph courtesy Ross Hoddinott, BWPA

On a summer morning in Devon, England, photographer Ross Hoddinott captured a marbled white butterfly resting on grass-a shot that earned him top honors in the photo contest's "Seasons" category.

"Backlighting highlighted the markings and translucency of its wings," Hoddinott noted.

Published September 27, 2011

Portraits: "Mystical Mist"

Photograph courtesy Mark Smith, BWPA

A fallow deer seems to pose for the camera in Surrey, England, in the picture that won the "Portraits" category for the 2011 British Wildlife Photography Awards.

"I love photographing deer in the autumn, and a forecast of mist just makes me even more eager to get out photographing them," said winner Mark Smith.

"I heard this deer before I saw it, and using the mist and wind direction as cover, I managed to get in place with [the] tripod set up before he knew I was there. I was able to get a few shots before he slowly ambled off into the mist in the background."

Published September 27, 2011

Documentary Series: "It's Only a Game"

Photograph courtesy Neil Aldridge, BWPA

This picture of a pheasant lying dead in an English forest is part of the winning documentary series in the 2011 British photo contest.

"Although I don't shoot, I didn't want to pass up the opportunity to photograph one of Britain's traditional country 'sports,'" photographer Neil Aldridge said.

"Opinions on country shoots are polarised. Many lament the control of indigenous species to protect this pastime. Others claim shooting plays a role in conservation.

"It's true that country pursuits like shooting played a major role in saving the last fragments of Britain's woodland. To me, it shows Britain's long and strange relationship with nature."

Published September 27, 2011

Young Photographer: "Fox Yawning"

Photograph courtesy Oliver Wilks, BWPA

Oliver Wilks, 16, captured this picture of a red fox awakening on a sunny October afternoon in Sussex, England.

Wilks—winner of one of the Young British Wildlife Photographer awards—recalled waiting patiently for the fox to wake up.

"He did, and I captured in this shot the moment when he showed me his brilliant white teeth as he yawned and stretched," Wilks said.

"I think the autumnal lighting complements the red of the fox, giving great warmth and depth to the image."

Published September 27, 2011

Living Landscapes: "Llyn Idwal—War and Peace"

Photograph courtesy Graham Eaton, BWPA

Welsh mountain peaks known as the Devil's Kitchen tower above the algae-filled waters of Llyn Idwal in a split-level picture, the winner of the "Living Landscapes" category.

Following the WildlifeXpo in London, pictures from the 2011 British Wildlife Photography Awards will be featured in photo exhibitions throughout England, Scotland, and Wales.

(Submit your pictures to the National Geographic Photo Contest.)

Published September 27, 2011