The photograph above, snapped by Manuel Plaickner and titled ‘Ponodoworld’, took home first prize in the Behaviour: Amphibians and Reptiles category at this year’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year Awards.

100 finalists were chosen from almost 50 000 entries, but some, like the ones we’ve listed below, stand a cut above the rest.

In September we had a look at some of the finalists’ entries – the competition was pretty stiff.

Here’s Forbes on the photo that landed first prize overall:

This outstanding image from the Chinese province of Qinghai titled “The Moment,” by photographer Yongqing Bao, which frames the standoff between a Tibetan fox and a marmot seemingly frozen in an impending life-or-death struggle, is the winner of the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2019 title.

The Moment: Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2019 winner. PHOTO: YONGQING BAO, CHINA

“A powerful frame of both humor and horror, it captures the drama and intensity of nature,” said Roz Kidman Cox, chair of the judging panel. “Photographically, it is quite simply the perfect moment.” Images from the Qinghai Tibet Plateau are rare enough, but to have captured such a powerful interaction is extraordinary.

Here are a few more of our favourites from the winning photos. Enjoy:

Snow exposure, 2019 winner, Black and White PHOTO: MAX WAUGH, USA

The Rat Pack, 2019 winner, Urban Wildlife PHOTO: CHARLIE HAMILTON JAMES

Snow-plateau nomads, 2019 winner, Animals in Their Environment PHOTO: SHANGZHEN FAN

Humming Surprise, 2019 winner, 10 years and under PHOTO: THOMAS EASTERBROOK

Night Glow, 2019 winner, 11-14 years old, PHOTO: CRUZ ERDMANN

Land of the Eagle, 2019 winner, Behaviour: Birds PHOTO: AUDUN RIKARDSEN

The Huddle, 2019 winner, Portfolio Award PHOTO: STEFAN CHRISTMANN

Showtime, 2019 winner, Wildlife Photojournalist Story Award PHOTO: JASPER DOEST

[source:forbes]