'Flawlessly Timed' Photo of Badger Admiring Graffiti Among Nature Photos to Win Top Honor – See Them All!

Mar. 15, 2025

Ian Wood’s ‘No Access’.Photo:Ian Wood

Ian Wood

British photographer Ian Wood’s ‘No Access’ — which depicts “an ambling Eurasian badger glancing up at some rather familiar graffiti” — won the top People’s Choice honor. The graffiti, situated next to a sign that reads “keep access clear at all times,” is of a gun-bearing black-and-white cartoon badger.

Dr. Douglas Gurr, the director of the Natural History Museum, commended Wood’s impressive timing and skills.

“Ian’s flawlessly timed image offers a unique glimpse of nature’s interaction with the human world, underscoring the importance of understanding urban wildlife,” Gurr said. “His exceptional photograph serves as a powerful reminder that local nature and wildlife, often just outside our homes, can inspire and captivate us.”

Francisco Negroni’s ‘Earth and Sky.'.Francisco Negroni

Francisco Negroni

Jess Findlay’s ‘Edge of Night.'.Jess Findlay

Jess Findlay

“I live in rural Dorset where I’m on a re-wilding mission to enhance habitats for a huge array of wildlife. The badger cull – which is still ongoing – has decimated their numbers, and I fear that unless the cull is stopped, we’ll only see badgers in urban settings in several parts of England,” he said. “My hope is for this image to raise awareness of the damaging effect of the badger cull and help push for change.”

The four other ‘Highly Commended’ images from the competition’s People’s Choice Award race feature a wide range of epic moments in nature.

Michel d’Oultremont’s ‘Whiteout.'.Michel d’Oultremont

Michel d’Oultremont

At first glance, Michel d’Oultremont’s ‘Whiteout’ appears like a blank sheet of printer paper—until a second glance reveals a stoat standing up as it assesses its surroundings. The final photograph, David Northall’s ‘Spiked,’ shows a relentless honey badger doubling back to attack a porcupine that has left the badger bloodied and covered in large quills.

David Northall’s ‘Spiked.'.David Northall

David Northall

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The winner and four ‘Highly Commended’ images will be displayed online and in the flagship Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition at London’s Natural History Museum location until June 29.

source: people.com