1st place in Young category: Andrs Luis Dominguez Blanco, Spring (2023). A European bee-eater in mid-flight with an insect in its beak, Southern Spain. All images the photographers, courtesy of CUPOTY, shared with permissionThe Winners of This Annual Competition Show Nature Is Ready for Its Close-UpJanuary 29, 2025Kate MothesA striking silhouette of two fighting stag beetles takes the top prize in the 6th annual Close-Up Photographer of the Year contest (previously), capping a group of category winners and finalists that showcase an array of natural phenomena in astonishing detail.A jury of 25 experts, comprising scientists, editors, naturalists, journalists, and photographers, narrowed down 100 images from more than 11,000 entries. Photographers in 61 countries submitted photos of a wide range of animals and environments, capturing dramatic behaviors and fascinating habitats.1st place in the Butterflies & Dragonflies category: Yong Miao, Damselfly by the Waterfall. A damselfly (Archineura incarnata) rests on a rock amidst a flowing waterfall in Tianmushan Nature Reserve, Zhejiang Province, ChinaAmong many favorites, Yong Miaos beautiful shot of a damselfly perched on a stone near a waterfall won the Insects category, Barry Webbs capture of an ear-pick fungus topped the Fungi & Slime Moulds category, and Gabriel Jensens portrait of a fish in the toothy mouth of a predator took the top spot in the Underwater category.The competition highlights not only incredible images but also the fascinating science and stories behind them. Summer brings calm seas to South Florida where a dedicated community of shore diving photographers head out nearly every day to survey the worlds third largest coral reef for interesting wildlife, Jensen says.Her friends spotted a lizard fish (Synodus foetens) grappling with a large doctorfish. She adds, After a few minutes of struggle, the doctorfish managed to escape. This image now sits on my desk at work, serving as a reminder that even on tough days, Everythings going to be A-OK.CUPOTY co-founder Tracy Calder says, Close-up photography is a celebration of curiosity, also sharing that the winning entries are a true testament to the artistry of everyone involved, as well as an invitation to look, marvel at, and honour the world around us. See all the top photos in the competitions online gallery.Winner of Underwater category: Gabriel Jensen, Everythings A-OK. A doctorfish struggles in the jaws of a lizardfish, Kona, Hawaii1st place in Fungi & Slime Moulds category: Barry Webb, Ear-Pick Fungus (2023). A 15mm tall ear-pick fungus growing on a pine cone, New Forest, U.K.1st place in Insects category and overall winner of CUPOTY 6: Svetlana Ivanenko, Clash of the Titans. Two stag beetles (Lucanus cervus) battle for dominance in the Voronezh region of Russia2nd place in Underwater category: Jenny Stock, Search for the Dragon (2020). A leafy seadragon (Phycodurus eques) swims with a school of rough bullseye fish (Pempheris klunzingeri), Rapid Bay, South Australia2nd place in Young category: Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas, Afternoon Snack (2024). A robber fly (Asilidae sp.) feeds on a flesh fly (Sarcophagidae sp.), Brandenburg, Germany3rd place in Fungi & Slime Moulds category: Jamie Spensley, Sandy Mushroom (2024). A mushroom covered in sand on Holywell Bay Beach, Cornwall2nd place in Invertebrate Portrait category: Jos Manuel Lois Rial, Stauropus Fagi (2023). A lobster moth caterpillar (Stauropus fagi) on a tree branch in the photographers garden, SpainNext article