2024's winning photographs were selected from more than 7,300 submissions from 70 countries. Visit BigPicture to learn more about the eight winning images and 40+ finalists from all seven competition categories.
BigPicture: Natural World Photography
Golden light bathes a monarch butterfly-cloaked forest. A school of tadpoles becomes a soaring squadron when seen from below. A long exposure transforms an Alaskan wolf into an ethereal specter.
Each of the winning images in the BigPicture: Natural World Photography exhibition enshrines a fleeting moment that might otherwise escape our attention. Visit the exhibition at the Academy to embark on a visual odyssey around the world, where the triumphs, tragedies, and textures of our planet are on dazzling display.
BigPicture: Natural World Photography opens Sept. 28. Sneak an advance peek at NightLife: Unusual Perspectives (21+) on Sept. 26 or at an exclusive member preview on on Sept. 27.
![BigPicture Peoples Choice winner Hunting Cape Gannet by Wayne Lai shows a diving gannet encircled by a school of sardines](https://calacademy.org/sites/default/files/styles/manual_crop_square_460px/public/assets/images/exhibits/bp24_3280x2187_peopleschoice_waynelai_4k.jpg?itok=ScQKLKXV&c=3dd542e0dfb345295dc2de464eec4f00)
The votes are in...
This year's competition included an all-new category: People's Choice. Nearly 5,000 total votes were cast for the 20 finalists, with Hunting Cape Gannet by Wayne Lai receiving the most votes. Congratulations, Wayne!
![BigPicture finalist A Moment In The Sun by Kathleen Borshanian shows an Arctic fox pup sitting on a lush cliffside in Alaska](https://calacademy.org/sites/default/files/styles/manual_crop_square_460px/public/assets/images/exhibits/bp24_3360x2240_terrestrial_finalist_kathleenborshanian_4k.jpg?itok=Sv6VCnfT&c=7774537c76147f16d752b16614343f2d)
Beyond the captions
Visit bioGraphic, the Academy’s online magazine about nature, conservation, and regeneration, for a showcase of 11 winning images paired with captivating backstories about the science behind the scenes.
Above: Terrestrial Wildlife finalist A Moment in the Sun by Kathleen Borshanian
![Photographer Suzi Eszterhas](https://calacademy.org/sites/default/files/styles/manual_crop_square_460px/public/uploads/2279/images/suzi-2016.jpg?itok=IwHY0RZY&c=a998940f4c5be692f495522b089d8f60)
Eyes on the prize
Chaired by world-renowned wildlife photographer Suzi Eszterhas, BigPicture's esteemed panel of seven judges includes international photo editor Sophie Stafford and award-winning nature and conservation photographers Jahawi Bertolli, Sandesh Kadu, Karen Kasmauski, Jo-Anne McArthur, and Kiliii Yuya.
Bring BigPicture home with you in hardcover. Wonders and Seeing It All are now on sale at all major booksellers.
![BigPicture: Seeing It All photography book cover](https://calacademy.org/sites/default/files/styles/manual_crop_square_460px/public/assets/images/events/bp23_1920x1080_bigpicture-seeingitall_dsc09998-edit_gl_cas_240202.jpg?itok=JayLnB_T&c=7492d5476ad8e718d0463ca572a9129f)
![Bloomberg Philanthropies logo](https://calacademy.org/sites/default/files/bloomberg_logo_violetcmyk.jpg)