From Christmas coloured amphibians to Darwin’s finches, the winning images in the Galapagos Conservation Trust's 2021 Photography Competition highlight some of nature’s treasures that only exist in this unique ecosystem of the Pacific islands.
This year’s winning images chosen by the judges have been published with a public vote now continuing to secure a people’s choice winner. Nominations are open until Thursday, August 12.
The winning gallery highlights some of the world's best nature photography from one of the most unique destinations on the planet.
Entries were judged by an expert panel including James Honeyborne, executive producer of BBC’s Blue Planet II, photographer Jay McLaughlin and Ralph Pannell, director of travel company Aqua-Firma.
The overall winning image was taken by photographer Leighton Lum. His shot of a pair of Nazca boobies tending to their chick on Espanola island captured the attention of the judges.
McLaughlin loved the “wide angle of this ‘family photo' and the composition that it creates".
Lum said the experience of seeing the birds with their chick on Espanola was “quite amazing".
Entries had to be submitted to the Galapagos Conservation Trust under one of six categories. These included Birds of Galapagos, Up Close and Personal, Coastal and Marine, Animals in Action, Landscape and Urban life.
“This year due to a reduction in tourism to Galapagos, we had around 200 entries, which is a little down on previous years – but the quality of the images is very high,” said a spokesperson for the Galapagos Conservation Trust.
Lum also took first place for his image of a Galapagos marine iguana in the Up Close and Personal category.
To select your favourite image in the public vote, visit the Galapagos Conservation Trust's website.
The Unesco World Heritage-listed Galapagos Islands reopened to tourists in July after being put under a strict lockdown in the spring of 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
However, visitor numbers remain scarce and cruises, a critical element for the region’s tourism sector, continue to be greatly reduced.
In May this year, the world-famous islands made headlines again when Leonardo DiCaprio pledged $43 million to enact sweeping conservation operations across Galapagos.
The actor’s social media accounts were taken over by a wildlife veterinarian and island restoration specialist for the announcement.
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Bayern Munich 2 Borussia Monchengladbach 1
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5.
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Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
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