Wildlife Photographer of the Year, an exhibition of exceptional images that capture fascinating animal behavior and the breathtaking diversity of the natural world, opens Sept. 5 at the Academy.
Developed and produced by the Natural History Museum, London, the exhibit features the 100 awarded images from the 2019 entries. Launched in 1965, Wildlife Photographer of the Year is the longest running nature photography competition in the world, and in its most recent competition it received 48,000 submissions from 100 countries.
The Academy of Natural Sciences is the first institution on the East Coast to display this exhibition.
Visitors will see a wide array of startling, beautiful and revealing moments in nature that people rarely witness. There’s a marmot seemingly gesturing with both horror and humor at a hungry fox; a penguin fleeing the menacing jaws of a leopard seal; an elegant guanaco caught off balance when a puma strikes; and many more amazing scenes.
“We hope these images will inspire deep curiosity and awe in our visitors,” said Academy President and CEO Scott Cooper. “The scenes captured by these talented photographers tell thought-provoking stories about our planet and prompt us to think differently about the natural world and our responsibility to protect it.”
Tim Littlewood, director of science at the Natural History Museum, London, and a member of the competition’s judging panel, said, “For more than 50 years this competition has attracted the world’s very best photographers, naturalists and young photographers, but there has never been a more important time for audiences all over the world to experience their work in our inspiring and impactful exhibition. Photography has a unique ability to spark conversation, debate and even action.”
Wildlife Photographer of the Year will be on view at the Academy from Saturday, Sept. 5 through Monday, Feb. 15, 2021. To purchase timed tickets to the Academy that include this exhibit, click here.
By Carolyn Belardo
Credit for opening image above: Sleeping Like a Weddell by © Ralf Schneider. Highly Commended 2019, Black and White, Wildlife Photographer of the Year
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Love to see this exhibit