12 remarkable images from European Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026
Popular Science ·
From slumbering bats in the caves of Hungary to peaceful bison in rural Poland. The post 12 remarkable images from European Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 appeared first on Popular Science .
For 13 years, photographer Imre Potyó has ventured into restricted-access mine tunnels in the Börzsöny Mountains of Hungary to capture images of hibernating lesser horseshoe bat ( Rhinolophus hipposideros ). Despite their deep slumber, the bats occasionally wake to hunt insects that enter the dark caves.
“In doing so, the bat leaves behind droppings that gradually accumulate into a continuous dark layer,” Potyó explains. “And this is where the real wonder begins: in the beam of a torch, a whitish coating can be seen on the guano —a small pin mould thriving in this unusual habitat. Using a macro lens, I captured the mould in the foreground with the hibernating bats visible in the background. The photograph—a long exposure incorporating a focus shift—was taken during a controlled bat count and without disturbing the animals.”
That effort paid off. Potyó’s image, titled “Hidden Worlds,” (seen below) took home top honors at the European Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 awards .
The European Wildlife Photographer of the Year ( EWPY ) competition is now in its 26th year. Amateur and professional photographers in 46 countries submitted more than 26,000 images, from which 107 were selected as winners across nine categories and two special categories.
“All the photographers taking part in this competition share a common outlook: they move through the world with open eyes and are committed to a harmonious coexistence of people and nature,” Sabine Riewenherm, President of the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN), said in a statement. Through their work, they draw attention to the beauty of our planet, but also to its vulnerability. I am deeply grateful to these photographers for their outstanding contribution, as they play a vital role in raising awareness for nature and its protection.”
The post 12 remarkable images from European Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 appeared first on Popular Science .