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The breathtaking winning images from the GDT Nature Photographer of the Year 2023 contest


From a ‘smiling’ crocodile to an incredible multicoloured iceberg: Breathtaking winning images from a prestigious nature photography contest

By Ailbhe Macmahon For Mailonline

Published: | Updated:

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The natural world can mesmerise, startle and take the breath away, as the images here show.

These astonishing photos have been honoured in the German Association for Nature Photography (GDT) Nature Photographer of the Year 2023 competition, which saw nearly 7,000 entries flood in from 13 countries.

Among the entries to capture the attention of the judges is a dynamic shot of a ‘smiling’ crocodile off the coast of Cuba, a dark and moody picture of an iceberg in Greenland and a hypnotising portrait of an owl.

However, it’s a cleverly framed photograph of a pair of kites – birds of prey – symmetrically perched on opposing sides of a telegraph pole that claims the top prize, earning photographer Silke Huttche the title of GDT Nature Photographer of the Year.

Notably, the German photographer is only the second woman to be named the overall winner in the contest’s 51-year history. The contest’s organisers say that this is ‘a good sign that the historically male-dominated genre of nature photography is increasingly reflecting society in a more realistic way’.

Below is a handful of the magnificent winning and commended nature photographs from the awards. Scroll down to the very bottom to see the photograph that’s been named the cream of the crop…

This eye-catching picture, ranking sixth in the ‘Other Animals’ category, shows two American crocodiles in the mangroves of the Jardines de la Reina archipelago off the coast of mainland Cuba. Titled ‘Smile’, it’s the work of photographer Laura Becker

Landing in sixth place in the ‘Mammals’ category, this stunning shot by photographer Barbara Kaltenborn shows a polar bear with her cub on the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard

Topping the podium in the ‘Landscapes’ category, this mesmerising picture by Britta Strack shows the ‘mystical’ Pasterze Glacier at the foot of Austria’s Grossglockner mountain

A blackbird is silhouetted by the moon in this beautiful shot, which ranks sixth in the ‘Birds’ category. Photographer Anton Trexler says that it shows the ‘melancholy of the threshold between day and night’

Taking the bronze medal in the ‘Urban Nature’ category, this brilliant picture by Anton Trexler shows a gecko inside a lantern in Spain

This hypnotising close-up of an owl is the work of photographer Karsten Mosebach. The portrait ranks third in the ‘Birds’ category 

LEFT: This magnificent shot of a roe deer under a full moon was taken before sunrise at the edge of a nature reserve in the State of Brandenburg, Germany. Captured by photographer Andreas Geh, it ranks in eighth place in the ‘Mammals’ category.  RIGHT: Describing this evocative shot, photographer Andy Schmid says: ‘A male orca turns his back on the camera in a dark and cold fjord in northern Norway, but leaves positive energy behind.’ The image takes ninth place in the ‘Mammals’ category

This spellbinding picture of a drifting iceberg in Greenland has been captured by photographer Scott Portelli. He notes that ‘intertwined layers of ice reveal vivid black, blue and translucent plains’ within the iceberg. The shot is placed eighth in the ‘Landscapes’ category

Photographer Peter Lindel notes that the ‘cloud of haze’ in this picture is not the breath of the lion that’s pictured, but rather ‘the body heat of the just-killed zebra’ in the centre of the frame. The shot ranks tenth in the ‘Mammals’ category

Recalling taking this transfixing portrait of a female elephant, Peter Lindel says: ‘The matriarch cow kept an eye on us until the last member of her small group had passed us.’ The image takes the silver medal in the ‘Mammals’ category

Captured in the autumn, this breathtaking shot shows fog descending over the Vosges Mountains in France during the sunrise. Taken by photographer Radomir Jakubowski, the image – titled ‘Autumn Fog Inferno’ – takes second place in the ‘Landscapes’ category

This dynamic shot shows a mouse ‘taking a short break from foraging at night on the ledge of an old and dusty cellar window’. Ranking sixth in the ‘Urban Nature’ category, it’s the work of photographer Maximilian Fellermann

This is the shot that has won Silke Huttche the title of GDT Nature Photographer of the Year. Huttche, who lives in the German city of Wuppertal, says: ‘Every time I pass this electricity pole I take a look up for there is always some kind of bird sitting there. As was the case on this somewhat dull day when I glanced up and spotted the kite sitting there on the one end. Shortly after a second one [settled] on the opposite end. This was getting exciting – were the two a pair or rivals? They just seemed to have nothing to say to each other and kept looking in opposite directions.’ Huttche titled the shot ‘Scenes of a Marriage’. It also takes the top prize in the ‘Urban Nature’ category 

Gisele Bundchen poses in nature as she plugs a fundraiser to help biodiversity


Gisele Bundchen took to Instagram on Thursday to share several scenic snaps of herself getting in tune with nature.

In her latest post, the 42-year-old supermodel was seen in her native country of Brazil to further participate in environmental efforts and show off the mesmerizing sights.

A couple of the photos in her carousel post also show the philanthropist posing with animals and planting trees with her two children — Benjamin, 13, and Vivian, 10. 

The brunette beauty — who recently opened up about her divorce and revealed she still has a lot of love for her ex-husband Tom Brady — looked stunning on the beach.

And in her caption she explained what she was up to. 

Stunning view: Gisele Bundchen, 42, took to Instagram to share several scenic snaps of herself getting in tune with nature on Thursday; the image is a throwback as she still has her wedding ring from Tom Brady on 

She wrote a lengthy caption encouraging more people to participate in sustainability efforts to protect nature. 

‘From planting trees, regenerating springs and depleted soils, and protecting turtles, jaguars … everything impacts nature. The power of nature comes from its diversity, and it depends on it for survival,’ she began.

‘Every form of life uniquely creates balance on Earth so all of life can flourish,’ said the star who has a home in Florida.

‘Like with people, our differences are also our strengths, and we get stronger when we work together.

‘Last year, I started a project called Biomes to help regenerate the biodiversity of Brazil,’ the Vogue model added.

‘From north to south, east to west, we selected seven projects in different regions of the country.

Planting seeds: She also shared a photo of her helping a child planting a tree and then a snap of her submerging seeds in soil with her son Benjamin and daughter Vivian — both of whom she shares with her former NFL partner

Cheerful: Bundchen looked radiant in the several snaps where she was helping out in regenerating and aiding the biosphere by planting greenery

Showing the love: In another photo, she showed off her trim model physique as she posed against and hugged the roots of a massive, towering tree

‘Each biome’s species have an important role in nature because everything is connected.

‘Now, together with The Luz Alliance Fund in partnership with @brazilfound on Saturday, May 20th in Miami, we are having a dinner to raise more funds to expand our efforts and have a more significant impact.’ 

The runway icon was smiling brightly up at the sky as she leaned out of a boat to touch the clear waters. 

The mother-of-two was seen in a sports bra and biker shorts as she observed and gently pet a turtle that was traveling along the shore.

She also shared a photo of her helping a child planting a tree.

And there was a snap of her submerging seeds in soil with her son Benjamin and daughter Vivian — both of whom she shares with her former NFL partner. 

Community: She also shared a sweet snap of herself holding hands and posing with the Indigenous people of Brazil wearing traditional accessories

Bundchen looked radiant in the several snaps where she was helping out in regenerating and aiding the biosphere by planting greenery. 

In another photo, she showed off her trim model physique as she posed against and hugged the roots of a massive, towering tree. 

She also shared a sweet snap of herself holding hands and posing with the Indigenous people of Brazil wearing traditional accessories. 

At one point during her trip home, a colorful parrot appeared to have landed on her car and she took a quick snap of the perfect moment. 

She also shared a before-and-after photo of a small corner in Brazil that was positively affected by planting more trees to regenerate the biodiversity and wildlife of Brazil. 

Fleeting moments: At one point during her trip home, a colorful parrot appeared to have landed on her car and she took a quick snap of the perfect moment

After a decade: She also shared a before-and-after photo of a small corner in Brazil that was positively affected by planting more trees to regenerate the biodiversity and wildlife of Brazil

From bees to baby owls, the stunning winning images in the British Wildlife Photography Awards 2023


Britain’s breathtaking landscapes and wonderous creatures have been showcased in memorable style – by entries to this year’s British Wildlife Photography Awards (BWPA).

The 2023 contest received more than 13,000 images, with amateur and professional photographers competing for a £5,000 grand prize.

Twenty-eight-year-old Charlie Page was declared the grand prize winner for his ‘powerful’ image of a fox in front of an industrial backdrop, while Billy Evans-Freke took home the RSPB Young British Wildlife Photographer of the Year award for his beautiful picture of a tawny owlet.

‘The talented photographers in this year’s competition have given us an exceptional window into Britain’s nature,’ says Will Nicholls, Director of BWPA. ‘It’s an important reminder of the wildlife and wild spaces that still remain in the UK, and are in need of our care and protection.’

All awarded images are published by Bird Eye Books in a hard-back coffee-table book, which is now available online at bwpawards.org, with a foreword by Dame Judi Dench.

Scroll down to see the winning images by Page and Evans-Freke, plus a selection of category winners and shortlisted entries that impressed MailOnline Travel…

This heartwarming picture of a fox in London covered in dandelion seeds was taken by Lewis Newman and won the Animal Portraits category. Newman said: ‘After spending a lot of time with this particular vixen, she began to learn I was not a threat. This gave me some great photographic opportunities. I got to know her routine, and as the wild flowers began to grow, I would find her curled up amongst them. As the dandelions began to open there were a couple of days when she would wake up covered in them. Although she got used to my presence, if I were to move too fast or drop anything she would immediately leave. Later on in spring, I was blessed with her bringing her cubs to me and have watched them grow ever since’

A quirky scene captured by James Roddie in Scotland, with the image snaring the gold medal in the Animal Behaviour category. Roddie explained that he took the picture during a common toad migration, which apparently can be ‘spectacular to watch’. He continued: ‘As the large females make their way to the water, the smaller males approach them to try and “hitch a lift”. It can result in some amusing behaviour, as multiple males will often try to mount the same female. This image was captured just as one of the males tried to push away another. It can be quite a difficult thing to photograph, as this is one situation when toads move surprisingly quickly’

A mesmerising image taken by Ed Phillips of a Willughby’s leafcutter bee in his Staffordshire garden. The shot was a runner-up in the Animal Portraits category. Phillips said: ‘I have a particular interest in the UK’s solitary bees and like to photograph the species that visit our Staffordshire garden. I had seen this male Willughby’s leafcutter bee looking out of a hole, but it kept retreating whenever I approached. They often pause to warm-up at the entrance before flying off, so I waited, camera poised for the right moment. It eventually reappeared and I carefully framed the shot. At the last moment it cocked its head to one side to what I felt was a pleasing angle’

This amazing image was the runner-up in the Black & White category and taken by Paula Cooper in Scotland on Bass Rock, a volcanic plug in the Firth of Forth that’s home to over 150,000 gannets. Cooper said: ‘I wanted to show the drama of the place so converted it to black and white and darkened the image’

This spellbinding picture won the Black & White category. It shows woodland at Great Mell Fell in the Lake District, with photographer Matthew Turner describing it as ‘a strange and otherworldly place, with gnarled bark, distorted branches and dank moss everywhere’. He added: ‘I clambered through the jumble of fallen trees and eventually stumbled upon this decaying specimen, which to me looked like a claw reaching out from the decomposing pile of tree carcasses beneath. I used my tripod to avoid any camera shake due to the dark and dingy conditions, which suited the scene perfectly’

The competition has a Wild Woods category – and this was the runner-up. A stunning image taken in Abernethy in Scotland by Graham Niven. He said: ‘The Abernethy Forest in the Cairngorm National Park is a very special place which I am fortunate to call home. It encompasses one of the largest remnants of Caledonian pinewood, as well as moorland, wetlands and mountains, and is home to a host of specialist pinewood and upland plants and animals. A wonderful place for photography, I am always trying to capture its splendour and translate some of the magic and value it holds. During a spell of sunny August weather, I managed to convince a pal to meet me at the summit of the nearest hill (Meall a’ Bhuachaille) at 5am before sunrise. As the sun rose, it illuminated the swirling mist in the forest below, accentuating the shapes and layers of trees. A magical but brief moment, lasting only a few minutes before the mist burned off’

The winner in the Wild Woods category was this breathtaking image of an ethereal scene on Badbury Hill in Oxfordshire. It was taken by Philip Selby, who said he was ‘struck by the sense of endlessness as the beech trees eerily dissolved into the silent, misty obscurity’

Taken in Scotland’s Western Highlands by Neil McIntyre, this beautiful picture was the winner of the Habitat category

The runner-up in the Habitat category was this picture of mountain hares in the Cairngorms in Scotland. The photographer, Peter Bartholomew, said: ‘Deep snow drifts had left ridges and contours on the plateau. Visibility was limited as strong winds buffeted the cornices and snow swirled down the valley. Across the bowl, the male hare moved slowly towards the female hare above it and stopped. For a moment the blizzard abated, allowing me to capture the hares in their special mountain environment’

Matthew Cattell snapped this picture of a murmuration of starlings in Brighton and was honoured with a runner-up accolade in the Urban Wildlife category for his efforts. He said: ‘On this particular evening, an approaching storm was illuminating the horizon, and as the light levels dropped, the brightness of the sky balanced with the lights on the Palace Pier. As the starlings arrived to roost, they swept across the sea, producing graceful, elegant curves across my view finder. I particularly love the shape of their movement in this photograph’

Billy Evans-Freke has been named the RSPB Young British Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2023 and 15-17 Years Winner for this shot of a tawny owlet near his home in East Sussex

Feast your eyes on the image that made photographer Charlie Page British Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2023. It was taken in Lee Valley Park, with Page revealing: ‘I knew this area was reliable for foxes, and I wanted a shot with the industrial backdrop. One day when setting up my camera with a remote shutter release, a fox approached from my left. Hesitant about what to do, I stayed still, and surprisingly the fox stopped right in my frame. I took the shot but was confused why it had come so close. In hindsight, this encounter probably tells the story more than the photo itself. Wildlife has become used to us encroaching on them. I think the felled tree and longing look on the fox’s face portray this tragedy perfectly. I hope that all wildlife photography doesn’t look like this in years to come’



‘Hauntingly beautiful’ picture of the Milky Way over Tudor ruins wins UK astrophotography contest


This photographer has aimed for the stars – and succeeded with aplomb.  

Photographer Richard Murray’s ‘hauntingly beautiful’ photograph of the Milky Way rising over the ruins of a Tudor mansion has won the top prize in the South Downs National Park astrophotography competition.

The picture captures the atmospheric night-time scene at Cowdray House in Midhurst, West Sussex. 

In September 1793, while it was undergoing repairs and refurbishments for the impending marriage of the 8th Viscount Montague, a devastating fire destroyed most of the property, leaving the ruins that remain.

The competition – which received around 60 entries this year – celebrates the national park’s status as one of only 20 International Dark Sky Reserves in the world, which recognises the region as one of the best places globally to stargaze.

Photographer Richard Murray’s ‘hauntingly beautiful’ photograph of the Milky Way rising over the ruins of Cowdray House in  West Sussex has won the top prize in the South Downs National Park astrophotography competition

Named a Dark Sky Reserve in 2016, it enjoys the same status as regions such as Snowdonia, the North York Moors and the Yorkshire Dales.  

South Downs lead ranger Dan Oakley says of the winning image: ‘It’s such a well-framed image and shows what the landscape would have been like a couple of centuries ago. 

‘It’s a great little chocolate box photo of the South Downs.’ 

Hampshire photographer Murray, who wins a £100 prize, reveals: ‘We were blessed with crystal clear skies… it demonstrates that you don’t have to travel too far from town to enjoy the spectacular dark skies the South Downs National Park has to offer. 

‘The national park has such a wide variety of beautiful landscapes and buildings to photograph and is truly a special part of the UK, both by day and night.’

Runner-up in the main category – ‘Dark Skyscapes’ – is a mesmerising shot of the moon rising behind Beachy Head lighthouse, near Eastbourne. The picture was snared by London photographer Andrew Parker, who wins a £75 prize. 

Parker says: ‘Despite travelling around the country to pursue my hobby of landscape and astrophotography I still go to the South Downs more than most other places. 

‘The skies around Birling Gap are fantastic.’

This awe-inspiring picture of Beachy Head Lighthouse by Andrew Parker has claimed the runner-up prize in the ‘Dark Skyscapes’ category

This shot of a toad crossing a road near Cuckmere Haven tops the podium in the ‘Nature at Night’ category. It was captured by Peter Brooks

Taking the top prize in the ‘Nature at Night’ category is a picture of a toad crossing a road near Cuckmere Haven, in East Sussex, captured by Eastbourne-based photographer Peter Brooks. 

Reflecting on the strength of the image, Oakley says: ‘I like this image because it’s a bit different. It sums up the theme of “nature at night” and really highlights the fragility of nature.’

Brooks notes: ‘I took this particular image to highlight the dangers toads face when migrating back to their breeding ponds. I headed to the spot where I know a great number of toads cross after it had been raining.’

This stunning picture of the Seven Sisters cliffs by photographer Giles Smith is highly-commended in the ‘Dark Skyscapes’ category

Titled ‘Reach for the Sky’, this striking picture of the South Downs at night by Carl Gough is a runner-up in the ‘Nature at Night’ category 

The photographer reveals that he lay on the road to get down to eye level with the toad. 

He adds: ‘I then spent some time helping toads across the road safely. This is actually a designated toad patrol area.’ 

Highly-commended pictures in the contest include a magnificent shot of the Comet Neowise hurtling through the night sky above West Sussex’s Hiorne Tower, an enchanting picture of the Milky Way over St Hubert’s Church in Hampshire and a stunning picture of the Seven Sisters cliffs at night. 

A range of images from the awards will be exhibited during the National Park’s Dark Skies Festival, which runs in the South Downs National Park until February 17.  The park covers 628 square miles (1,627 square kilometres) across Hampshire, West Sussex and East Sussex.

The Milky Way over St Hubert’s Church in the Hampshire hamlet of Idsworth is the subject of this enchanting picture by Alan Crossland, which is highly commended in the ‘Dark Skyscapes’ category

This magnificent shot shows the Comet Neowise hurtling through the night sky above Hiorne Tower in West Sussex. Captured by Neale Thibaut, it’s highly commended in the ‘Dark Skyscapes’ category

Instagramming photographer’s awe-inspiring astronomy photos, from Australia to the U.S


What happens when you combine a spectacular landscape, a sky full of stars and a very talented photographer? Take one look at photographer Marcin Zajac‘s work and you’ll discover it’s something special.

The California-based amateur photographer has a remarkable talent for astrophotography, turning his camera on the skies over locations such as the Bisti Badlands of New Mexico and the Eastern Australian coast. Unsurprisingly, Instagram has taken notice – his photography account has nearly 69,000 followers to date.

Speaking to MailOnline Travel, the 34-year-old, who originally hails from Warsaw, Poland, reveals: ‘I’ve travelled to many beautiful locations around the world, but my favourites are still the Western U.S states like California, Utah and Arizona. The diversity of the landscape is incredible, from a beautiful coastline, and majestic mountains to many amazing desert rock formations.’

Reflecting on the reaction to his work, Zajac, who is a software engineer by trade, notes that city-dwellers tend to be surprised by how many stars can be seen in a remote area with little light pollution.

A great deal of work goes into immortalising these enchanting skies. Zajac will often return to a location several times before he’s satisfied by the weather conditions, and naturally, he needs to work through the dead of the night. After the nighttime shoot, more work is involved. He explains: ‘I usually take several photos during each night, each typically a few minutes long, and combine them during post-processing.’

The result is a mesmerising portfolio of work, a taste of which can be seen below…

This extraordinary shot by Zajac shows Utah’s Reflection Canyon by Lake Powell. He says: ‘This is the most remote location I’ve had a chance to visit, photograph and spend the night at. It might also be one of the most beautiful.’ Zajac says accessing the beauty spot was a ‘challenge’. He hiked there, carrying eight litres of water, food, a tent, a sleeping bag and all his photo gear on the 20-mile (32km) round-trip trek. He says: ‘Overall [it was] 20kg (44lbs) on my back.’ However, he admits it was ‘worth it’ to see the Milky Way arch rise above the canyon at night 

LEFT: This breathtaking photograph was snared in the Australian coastal town of Kiama while Zajac was visiting the country on a business trip. He recalls: ‘I made my way into this small cave and waited for a few hours for the core of the Milky Way to come out. Not familiar with the southern sky I was surprised to also see Jupiter appear soon after – it’s the brightest object to the left of the sea stack.’ RIGHT: For this enchanting photograph, Zajac angled his camera towards the skies above the Sky Rock Petroglyphs near the city of Bishop, California. The mighty Sierra Nevada mountains can be seen in the background

The Milky Way over Bixby Creek Bridge on California’s Big Sur coast is beautifully captured in this shot by Zajac. He says: ‘This stretch of the California coast features steep cliffs, hidden beach coves, and one of the most spectacular drives one can take anywhere in the world… there is no light pollution here which makes this a perfect destination for stargazing’ 

LEFT: This stunning picture shows the Milky Way over the Pfeiffer Beach archway in California’s Big Sur region. As it’s a composite picture, meaning the photographs were taken over a series of hours and layered upon one another, Zajac notes that the ‘light emanating from the arch is actually caused by the setting sun, not the moon or the stars as one might think’.  RIGHT: Pigeon Point Lighthouse, a 19th-century structure that lies 50 miles (80km) south of San Francisco on the California coast, is the subject of this magical shot. Zajac says that the fog in the area often makes it hard to see the stars. He took this shot on an autumn evening when the fog ‘relented for a few days’, giving him the chance ‘to see the vertical Milky Way in tandem with the lighthouse’

‘In this image, the Milky Way is seen next to Boot Arch in Alabama Hills, a range of hills and rock formations near the eastern side of Sierra Nevada in California,’ says Zajac. He adds: ‘If, like me, at first you don’t see where the name Boot Arch comes from – look inside the arch’ 

LEFT: ‘If I had to choose my favourite place on Earth this might be it,’ Zajac says of the setting for this awe-inspiring shot. It was captured at McWay Falls on California’s Big Sur Coast. Commenting on the location, Zajac says: ‘It really has everything – a beautiful cove filled with emerald waters, an 80ft (24m) waterfall falling directly onto the beach, a palm tree making you feel like you’re on a tropical island and a perfectly dark sky that shines bright with stars at night.’ RIGHT: The ‘Alien Throne’ sandstone rock formation of New Mexico’s Bisti Badlands is majestically captured in this picture by Zajac. The photographer comments: ‘The landscape here looks otherworldly, especially once the sun sets and the stars appear. The bright objects to the left of the [rock formation] are the planetary duo of Jupiter and Saturn, which were unusually close that night’

LEFT: This magnificent photograph shows the Milky Way ‘shining bright’ on Samuel Boardman State Park along the Oregon coast. RIGHT: Zajac says that this striking shot shows the night sky ‘spinning around the North Star’ while cars drive over California’s Bixby Creek Bridge. ‘This is my first attempt at capturing star trails caused by the Earth’s rotation,’ he notes

This eye-opening photograph shows a prescribed fire – a preventative measure carried out to remove vegetation that could contribute to a wildfire – in California’s Yosemite Valley. Though he notes that the fire was fully under control, Zajac admits it was ‘surreal’ to witness it. He adds: ‘The thick smoke didn’t seem to discourage climbers – if you look carefully you can see lights from their headlamps as they climb up El Capitan [the rock formation to the left]’ 

LEFT: Zajac captured this atmospheric photograph on Bowling Ball Beach in California’s Mendocino County. He notes that the beach’s ‘strange spherical boulders’ are revealed only during low tide. RIGHT: A gnarled tree in the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest of California’s White Mountains is the subject of this bewitching photography by Zajac. He notes that some of the pine trees in this forest have been dated as being nearly 5,000 years old



Complaints about lack of trigger warning after BBC posts image of leopard carrying dead baboon


BBC Wildlife Magazine faces social media backlash from users moaning about lack of trigger warning on photo of baby baboon clinging onto its dead mother in jaws of leopard

  • Users were offended when BBC Wildlife Magazine posted image on Instagram
  • Taken by photographer Igor Altuna in Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park
  • Some users said they were going to unfollow the magazine 

By Harry Howard For Mailonline

Published: | Updated:

It is a stark image that shows how nature really is red in tooth and claw. 

But a photograph posted by the BBC of a leopard carrying a dead baboon in its jaws – as the primate’s baby clings in terror to her corpse has upset some on social media.

Some users on Instagram were offended that BBC Wildlife Magazine did not issue a ‘trigger warning’ when they revealed the image, which was posted to promote the Natural History Museum’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year contest. 

One wrote: ‘Yes it’s nature blah blah blah but JEEEEEEZ!!! My #BlueMonday was sh*** enough without needing this punch in the face!!!’

Another said: ‘I’m unfollowing. You absolutely should not have posted this without a warning!’ 

It is a stark image that shows how nature really is red in tooth and claw. But a photograph posted by the BBC of a leopard carrying a dead baboon in its jaws – as the primate’s baby clings in terror to her corpse has upset the more sensitive among us

The photograph was taken by Igor Altuna in Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park.

The leopardess’s cub played with the baby baboon for more than an hour before killing it.  

Responding to the BBC’s post, another person complained: ‘I loved seeing animals and wildlife but not this horror. 

‘Most of us are not used to this behaviour, so it’s necessary to respect sensibilities and warn about the content. It is empathy. 

A fourth wrote: ‘I agree with a lot of you that this should have come with a warning first. 

Some users on instagram were offended that BBC Wildlife Magazine did not issue a ‘trigger warning’ when they revealed the image, which was posted to promote a nature photography award shortlist

‘Also had a terrible day and I’d prefer to have a choice in what I see. So also unfollowing. 

‘For those of you who are saying things like “people can’t cope with anything these days/it’s brutal Mother Nature etc” it’s the people that are coping with a lot, maybe really horrible things/information on the daily that don’t want to see things like this to add to their pain or hardship, in the feed. 

They added: ‘I only follow uplifting things to balance my world. My job is hard and harrowing at times. 

‘I’d have liked to have had the choice, like many others have said. No need to be disrespectful or ignorant to peoples daily struggles is there.’

However, others were critical of those who complained about the lack of a content warning. 

Others were critical of those who complained about the lack of a content warning

Another said: ‘Don’t follow nature then. It’s what happens! Yes, its a compelling image. But, don’t forget that Cheetah [sic] is just doing what comes naturally. It has to kill to survive & has probably got cubs of its own to feed’

One wrote: ‘Amazing shot. Also amazed that people feel the need to comment that this image needs a “warning.” It’s neither graphic nor tasteless, it’s reality. 

‘This is nature, and nature is just as brutal as it is beautiful. 

‘BBC Wildlife is a publisher that shares nature media, and this photo is documenting a rare and incredible moment…in nature. 

If you can’t handle this photo, definitely don’t ever go on safari.’ 

The image was posted to promote the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2022 – People’s Choice Award competition.

There are 25 shortlisted images in total, chosen from 38,575 entries sent in from around the world.  

Voting closes at 2pm on Thursday, February 2. 

The contest began in the 1960s and was first run by the BBC’s Animals magazine- which is now called Wildlife magazine.

The contest grew increasingly popular and by the mid-1980s, it had joined forces with the National History Museum, who now runs the competition and its accompanying exhibition.



Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss pictured at height of their careers in Arthur Elgort exhibition


A new exhibition is celebrating the work of famed fashion photographer Arthur Elgort over the span of his five-decade career, including his unforgettable shoots with ’90s Christy Turlington, Naomi Campbell, and Kate Moss. 

Arthur Elgort On the Move is on display at the Staley-Wise Gallery in New York City until January 28, 2023, and features well-known photos as well as new images that were pulled from his archive that had never been printed or exhibited. 

Born and raised in New York City, the 82-year-old artist studied painting at Hunter College before he segued into photography. He became known for his candid ‘snapshot’ style images after making his debut in British Vogue in 1971.

Elgort, who is the father of actor Ansel Elgort, breathed new life into fashion photography by taking his models out in public and encouraging them to move freely during shoots. 

‘When my career was just beginning, I noticed that most of the magazines had plenty of studio photographers. All I saw were models standing still,’ he said in a statement. ‘So I decided to do something else. I took my models out on the streets of New York, Paris, or wherever I was, and the magazines liked it. It felt different.’ 

Fashion photographer Arthur Elgort is showcasing his work at the Arthur Elgort On the Move exhibition at the Staley-Wise Gallery in New York City. His photo of Kate Moss that was taken at Cafe Lipp in Paris for Vogue Italia in 1993 is among the highlights 

Elgort is known for his ‘snapshot’ style photography, and he captured Lisa Taylor driving over the George Washington Bridge in New York City, the wind whipping through her hair, for Vogue in 1976 

The photographer is best known for his work with Vogue, but he also shot a number of fashion campaigns. He took this black and white photo of models Rosie Vela, Alva Chinn, and Karen Bjornson (left to right) for Halston in 1977 

In 2008, Elgort had Caroline Trentini pose on top of a basketball hoop and David Alvarez leap into the air below her in this New York City shoot that was featured in Vogue

Elgort snapped this ballet-inspired photo of Naomi Campbell in Paris for Alaia in 1986, the year she was discovered. Campbell was studying ballet at the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts in England when she was scouted 

In 1994, Claudia Schiffer was at the height of her career and looked every bit the star when she was photographed by Elgort in Rome for Valentino 

Models tended to wear less makeup when working with Elgort, who captured this stunning black and white portrait of Christy Turlington in New York City in 1993

The photographer captured Linda Evangelista playing the piano in head-to-toe plaid for Vogue shoot in Scotland in 1991

Elgort was knowing for working with models, but he also photographed The Rolling Stones standing on top of a barn at Long View Farm in North Brookfield, Massachusetts, in 1981. The band spent six weeks living and rehearsing on the property before going on tour that year 

Elgort took this playful snapshot of Gail Elliott, Yasmin Le Bon, Christy Turlington and Linda Evangelista (left to right) laughing on a New York City sidewalk in 1987 

One of Elgort’s more recent images featured in the exhibition is this photo of British model Fran Summers, which is titled ‘Up, Up, and Away.’ Summers was photographed in West Hampton, New York, for British Vogue in 2019 

Elgort traveled all of the world for his shoots, including to Nepal, where he photographed Kate Moss with an elephant for British Vogue in 1993 

The photographer captured Ethiopian model Liya Kebede and rapper Andre 3000 on a vespa for this 1950s-inspired shoot featured in Vogue in 2005

Another photo from Liya Kebede and Andre 3000’s Vogue shoot shows them mid laugh

Elgort was in Paris when he captured this portrait of German designer Karl Lagerfeld in 1983, the year he became the creative director of Chanel, a position he held until his death in 2019

Elgort photographed Christy Turlington peeking her head out the top of a car in New Orleans. The black and white shot was featured in British Vogue in 1990 

Naomi Campbell and Christy Turlington were photographed walking on the grounds at Parlange Plantation in Louisiana for Vogue in 1992

In 1976, Lisa Taylor struck a pose at the TWA lounge at John F. Kennedy International Airport while working with Elgort on a shoot for Vogue 

Elgort photographed trombonist Wycliffe Gordon performing in New York City in 1992

In 2002, the photographer captured famed designer Manolo Blahnik turned away from the camera in Paris 

Elgort traveled to Moscow to photograph Christy Turlington for Vogue in 1990, the year before the dissolution of the Soviet Union 

Elgort photographed German model Nadja Auermann running across Park Avenue in New York City for a spread featured in Vogue in 1995 

In 1982, Elgort turned the camera on himself for a self-portrait at his home in New York City 

Elgort captured these models stretching and talking on set in New York City in 1978. Titled ‘In the Studio,’ the photograph was featured in Vogue 

In 1988, the photographer shot this image of models standing around at the Christian Lacroix Haute Couture Atelier in Paris 

Model Shaun Casey was captured flinging her skirt over her head during this playful shoot for Italian Harper’s Bazaar in 1978 

Elgort took this black and white photo of a lion while visiting Africa in 1991 

Elgort’s photo of Giraffe Manor, a boutique hotel with a resident heard of giraffes in Nairobi, Kenya, was featured in Vogue in 2007 

Father and son: Photographer Arthur Elgort and his actor son Ansel Elgort pictured at The Royalton Hotel in New York City in June 2014 

Personal trainer photographed topless without her consent on a Sydney beach


A personal trainer is furious after a photos of her sunbathing topless were taken without her consent and shared by a group of men – with police powerless to do anything about it.

Lily Cook was secretly snapped with her sister on a beach in Sydney’s eastern suburbs on November 12 and only learned about the photographs hours later.

When she tried to complain to police, no charges were laid because it is not a crime to photograph people in public.

Ms Cook said finding out a photo was shared on group chats ‘had a profoundly detrimental effect upon her mental health’.

‘It is a moment in my life that will haunt me forever,’ she said, vowing to speak out after other women told her the same thing happened to them.

Lily Cook, from Sydney, (pictured) was secretly photographed while sunbaking topless on a Sydney beach earlier this month 

‘The capture and distribution of [an] explicit image of a woman without her knowledge or consent is both abhorrent and illegal. I am standing up to this issue.’

Ms Cook said she saw three men, two of which she knew socially and had many mutual friends with, when she arrived at the beach and they were later joined by their girlfriends.

She always tanned topless, but didn’t feel comfortable doing so with the men around and waited until they were leaving.

The fitness instructor received a message from a friend later that night asking if she had been topless at the beach, followed by a ‘close up’ photo of her laying on the sand.

‘The person who sent me the photo confirmed who sent him the photo,’ she wrote, on Instagram, detailing the her horrifying experience. 

‘This is when I realised a photo had been taken of me without my consent and had further been distributed.’

Ms Cook contacted the men and their girlfriends in a group message and they claimed she was accidentally caught in a wider landscape photo posted to an Instagram story by one of their friends.

She claimed this turned out to be a lie because in that image both she and her sister were lying down, but, in the photo that was shared, her sister was sitting up

‘Due to the quality of the image and the angle, it was clear one of the males had snuck closer to me to get a close-up of me topless,’ she wrote.

The images covertly taken of Ms Cook, who gave Daily Mail Australia permission to publish them. The differences between the two images unravelled a fake story she was told claiming she was accidentally caught in a wider landscape shot

Ms Cook said a man finally owned up to taking the photo off the phone of the man who originally took it, and then sent it to two friends who distributed it further.

But the man refused to make a statement to police.

‘I can’t help but think of how different this whole process would be if they had the strength and dignity to own their actions and how it can impact a woman,’ she wrote.

No one involved in the incident ever apologised to her for the ‘disgusting, perverted, and juvenile’ act, she said.

Chantelle Otten, a sexologist and girlfriend of tennis star and 2022 Australian of the Year Dylan Alcott, gave her support on Instagram.

‘This is so violating and disgusting, I can’t imagine your feelings over the days of this unfolding,’ she wrote.

‘We are all behind you, they are the problem, you are so brave in writing this post. I hope this is not swept under the rug, but adequately dealt with.’ 

Ms Cook told the Daily Telegraph she reported the incident to police but charges were not laid against the men allegedly involved.

‘I’m disappointed because I trusted that something would be done,’ she said.

Though there are laws in place to protect victims of ‘revenge porn’ – the distribution of sexually explicit images of an individual, typically by a former partner, without their consent – that doesn’t apply to her case. 

Police said it was ‘generally not an offence’ to take a photograph of any person in a public place, and only a crime if taken in private. 

‘Of course people should be able to express themselves however they want to, but unfortunately in this social media day and age, others get a kick out of either daring to take pictures when people are unsuspecting, or for the thrill of uploading,’ a senior officer told the Telegraph. 

Another officer, who works in the sex crimes field, said the outcome depended on the circumstances within each individual case, with, for example, instances of children being photographed by strangers warranting further investigation.

Ms Cook said she hoped sharing her story would empower other women who have had similar experiences 

Criminal lawyer Matt Ward said the law needed to catch up with changes in how people were using technology, as the division between public and private became blurred by the increased sharing of content on social media platforms. 

RMIT Professor Nicola Henry, an expert in imaged-based sexual abuse, agreed, saying the nuances of consent were yet to be reflected in law. 

She cited the incident in March this year when Married At First Sight contestant Domenica Calarco’s OnlyFans photos were shared among the cast without her consent.

Professor Henry said posting intimate images on a website did not necessarily equate to giving consent for them to be shared elsewhere.

Ms Cook said she struggled to understand the motive behind taking and sharing the photo, but believed those involved may gain some sense of power.

She now felt empowered sharing her story and advocating for other women who had similar experiences.

‘I am sharing my experience because I know there are women and girls out there who have experienced this same violation and like me feel overwhelmed by hurt and the burden of societal stigma,’ she wrote. 

‘I want them to know we share a bond and can draw on each other for strength.’

NSW Police said: ‘Distributing images, particularly of an intimate nature, to others without permission can have a serious impact upon a person’s health and mental wellbeing, and may lead to criminal action.

‘Images of this nature can be distributed and viewed with increasing ease and can go viral in minutes, with long-term damaging consequences for victims.

‘Even in a public setting, the privacy of others should be respected and if someone feels unsafe due to the actions of others, they should report it to police.’

Alicia Silverstone, 46, sweetly kisses turkey in Thanksgiving photo with son Bear, 11, on Instagram


My little cub! Alicia Silverstone cuddles her Bear, 11, on Thanksgiving after coming under fire for revealing they sleep in the same bed while discussing her attachment parenting philosophy

  • The actress revealed earlier this year that she still sleeps with Bear while insisting their co-sleeping arrangement was a more ‘natural’ way of doing things
  • Alicia discussed her attachment parenting process on The Ellen Fisher podcast in July and claimed she was simply ‘following nature’ by sleeping with her son
  • The Clueless sparked furious controversy in 2012 when she revealed that she fed her then-11-month-old son by pre-chewing his food and passing it from her mouth into his 
  • Alicia has been a vegan since 1998 and the animal rights activist has published two cookbooks: The Kind Diet in 2009 and The Kind Mama in 2014 

By Paul Chavez For Dailymail.com

Published: | Updated:

Alicia Silverstone kissed a turkey in a Thanksgiving post on Instagram that included her son Bear.

The 46-year-old vegan actress gave the turkey a smooch while sitting with the bird and her 11-year-old son Bear.

‘Happy Thanksgiving! I hope everyone is having a meaningful holiday,’ Alicia wrote as a caption for her roughly 2 million followers.

Happy holiday: Alicia Silverstone posed with her son Bear and a turkey on Thanksgiving 

Turkey kiss: The actress is a vegan activist and encouraged her fans not to eat meat this holiday season 

Alicia posted a trio of photos on social media that showed her wearing a black top while sitting with Bear and the turkey.

She had her blonde hair down in loose curls around her shoulders and showed her flawless complexion without makeup.

Alicia accessorized with hoop earrings and flashed her cute smile while wrapping an arm around Bear.

Bear kept it casual in a yellow T-shirt and orange pants.

Three photos:  The actress posted a trio of photos on social media that showed her wearing a black top while sitting with Bear and the turkey

Alicia revealed earlier this year that she still sleeps with Bear while insisting their co-sleeping arrangement was a more ‘natural’ way of doing things.

She discussed her attachment parenting process on The Ellen Fisher podcast in July and claimed she was simply ‘following nature’ by sleeping with her son.

Alicia sparked furious controversy in 2012 when she revealed that she fed her then-11-month-old son by pre-chewing his food and passing it from her mouth into his.

Attachment parenting: Alicia, shown last month in Beverly Hills, California, revealed earlier this year that she still sleeps with Bear while insisting their co-sleeping arrangement was a more ‘natural’ way of doing things

The actress earlier this month took to Instagram to encourage her followers to adopt a turkey for Thanksgiving.

‘I plan on having a kind Thanksgiving this year, and every year. I hope you’ll join me!,’ she wrote in the caption.

Alicia has been a vegan since 1998 and the animal rights activist has published two cookbooks: The Kind Diet in 2009 and The Kind Mama in 2014.

Turkey adoption: The actress earlier this month took to Instagram to encourage her followers to adopt a turkey for Thanksgiving

She has Bear with her ex-husband Christopher Jarecki, 46, who the actress was married to from 2005 until 2018.

Alicia portrayed Cher Horowitz in the 1995 teen comedy film Clueless.

She has a starring role in the upcoming crime thriller Reptile and also in the upcoming drama Tunnels.

Teen comedy: Alicia portrayed Cher Horowitz in the 1995 teen comedy film Clueless, shown in a still with co-star Stacey Dash

Ex-boyfriend ‘got his mother to send explicit photos of his ex to the girl’s father


Ex-boyfriend ‘got his mother to send explicit photos of his ex to the girl’s father the day before her birthday in revenge porn attack’

  • Matthew Cooper-Collyer, 29, allegedly sent naked pictures of ex to his mother
  • Court heard his mother then sent them to the ex-partner’s father by phone
  • Elderly parent received the unwanted images the day before victim’s birthday 

By Dan Sales For Mailonline

Published: | Updated:

A son shared naked pictures of his ex with his own mother in a bid to get revenge on her when they split up, a court heard today.

Matthew Cooper-Collyer, 29, of Monkton Deverill, Wiltshire, is accused of threatening to disclose private sexual photos with the intent of causing distress.

His mother, Lynda Cooper, 41, has previously pleaded guilty to the same charge as well as a second offence of malicious communications after sending the images.

Helen Easterbrook, prosecuting, told Winchester Crown Court the defendant had recently split up with his girlfriend when his mother suggested in a Facebook conversation that he send images to her to which he agreed to do.

Ms Cooper had also posted: ‘Happy Birthday’ followed by the initials of the victim.

Ms Easterbrook said Ms Cooper had written that she would ‘give her drama like she loves’ and referring to the images she added: ‘Love them, perfect shots, you should have been a photographer’.

Ms Easterbrook said Cooper-Collyer had shared two intimate photos and a video with his mother who then sent them to the father of the defendant’s ex on the day before the victim’s birthday.

She said that the father ‘checked his mobile phone and found he had received two photos and a video which showed his daughter in sexually explicit poses’.

Helen Easterbrook, prosecuting, told Winchester Crown Court the defendant had recently split up with his girlfriend

Explaining the charge, Ms Easterbrook said: ‘The allegation is Mr Cooper-Collyer has shared these photos and video, they were of a private nature.

‘He did it without her permission and when he did it, he did it not by accident but intending that it would upset her, it would cause her distress.’

In police interview, Cooper-Collyer said his mother had access to his phone and had sent the images without his permission.

He said: ‘I left my phone for five minutes to go to the toilet, when I got my phone these pictures had been sent and I questioned her.

His mother suggested in a Facebook conversation that he send the images to her to which he agreed to do

‘I said ‘Why did you do this?’ She was annoyed, she said she (the victim) was going to ruin my life with things I hadn’t done, she (Ms Collyer) said ‘If she is going to do it to him, I am going to do it to her’.’

Giving evidence in court, Cooper-Collyer denied sending anyone private sexual photos or videos.

He said that in the Facebook conversation, he had posted that he had sent them but he told the court that he had not done so.

He said: ‘She has got bipolar disease and she can be very difficult to come to terms with and talk to if she is having a bad day, which she was, sometimes it’s easier to agree to a certain extent, to keep her quiet.’

He added: ‘I know the extent of what revenge porn does so I would never myself put someone through that.’

Giving evidence, Ms Cooper said that she took the images from her son’s phone without his permission and added: ‘He is innocent through this whole thing. He didn’t agree to any of the pictures.’

The trial continues.