The winning pictures of the British Wildlife Photography Awards 2024 show the beauty, grandeur, and delicate balance of the isles’ many species and ecosystems, from minute molds to dramatic standoffs to urban scavengers. Out of over 14,000 submissions, the final selection showcased a diverse range of species, terrains, and behaviors.

“Ocean Drifter,” the winning entry submitted by Ryan Stalker, depicts a soccer ball submerged in water with several geese barnacles affixed to its underside. After traveling across the Atlantic, the object came to rest on the shores of Dorset, acting as an odd and unnatural host for the organisms.

Although they are not native to the United Kingdom, goose barnacles occasionally wash up on our beaches during strong Atlantic storms, according to Stalker. Inquiring into the ball’s path, Stalker was able to document an instance of how waste or carelessness on the part of humans can provide a habitat for potentially invasive species, which can have detrimental effects on fragile ecosystems.

I’ve included a few more of my favorites here, but the competition website offers a coffee table book of the current collection for purchase, allowing you to discover many more adventures into the British bush. Additionally, until June 2, BWPA is accepting entries for the 2025 competition.