Spectacular Winning Photos Of The 2022 BigPicture Natural World Photography Contest

Grand Prize: Bee Balling By Karine Aigner

Here are the amazing winning and finalists photos of the 2022 BigPicture natural world photography contest. As always, the California Academy of Sciences puts together the event to celebrate Earth’s biodiversity. This year’s big winner, Karine Aigner, took home the top prize for a rare look at the bizarre mating ritual of cactus bees.

More: BigPicture, Instagram h/t: 121clicks

Aquatic Life, Winner: Sea Lion Fall By David Slater

Aquatic Life, Finalist: Goliath in Lilliput by Tom Shlesinger

Terrestrial Wildlife, Winner: Spider Web by Bence Mate

Terrestrial Wildlife, Finalist: The Stoat’s Game by Jose Grandio

Winged Life, Winner: Frame Within A Frame by Sitaram Raul

Winged Life, Finalist: Hey, Good Lookin’ by Benjamin Olson

Landscapes, Waterscapes, and Flora, Winner: The Hidden Beauty Beneath Our Feet by Tom St. George

Landscapes, Waterscapes, and Flora, Finalist: City of Angels by Silvano Paiola

Art of Nature, Winner: Insect Diversity by Pål Hermansen

Art of Nature, Finalist: Life Vessels by Armand Sarlangue

Human/Nature, Winner: Sickening Delicacy by Bence Mate

Human/Nature, Finalist: Face To Face by Fernando Constantino Martínez Belmar