The winning images and photographers of this year's World Nature Photography Awards have just been announced. Contest organizers have once more shared some of the winning images, shown below, from their 14 categories. Captions were provided by the photographers and have been lightly edited for style and clarity. First Place, Behavior, Mammals. "While cruising through the Svalbard archipelago, we encountered three polar bears feeding on several dolphin carcasses. Observing quietly from our boat at a respectful distance, we witnessed one of the bears starting to play with a stick. The bear was totally ignoring us in this moment of pure joy, revealing a surprising playfulness. The behavior reminds me of an energetic and playful golden retriever fetching a stick." # Winner, Behavior, Birds. "Tens of thousands of red knots and other coastal waders are forced from the remaining gravel bars and mudflats into flight by a high incoming spring tide. I had photographed this incredible event...
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