For many of us, 2022 has raced by, as a return to our pre-pandemic lives has brought newfound freedom, and fresh appreciation for the finer things in life. Here at Nature Picture Library, the dizzying ride of the last year is one we are excited to look back on with this collection of nature photographs that we’ve chosen, unranked, as some of our favourites from 2022.
Our photographers are fuelled by tireless passion for the natural world, seeking out wildlife all over the globe in search of unique perspectives. Alex Hyde discovered a microscopic marvel living in an ordinary clump of moss. Nick Garbutt and Lucas Bustamante created breath-taking images of wild pumas. And Tony Wu tackled near-hopeless odds to bring us one-of-a-kind images of the enchanting (and elusive) Ezo flying squirrel.
These photographs, and the many others you will discover here, demonstrate a staggering breadth of skill, and a deep reverence for nature. We hope they will inspire, intrigue, and serve as a reminder that we are all connected to the amazing species we share our planet with.
Ben Hall / Red grouse (Lagopus lagopus) stretching wings at sunrise, Peak District National Park, UK. August.
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Alex Hyde / False-coloured SEM (Scanning Electron Micrograph) of a Tardigrade (Tardigrada) amongst moss, from Peak District National Park, Derbyshire, UK. This tardigrade is approximately 0.1 millimetres long. Di...
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Tony Wu / Female limpet (Lottia emydia) spawning, releasing a stream of eggs into the water. Hokkaido, Japan.
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David Fleetham / Day octopus (Octopus cyanea) ventral view portrait, Hawaii, Pacific Ocean.
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Will Burrard-Lucas / Elephant (Loxodonta africana) with Egret resting on head, Amboseli National Park, Kenya.
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Ripan Biswas / Praying mantis (Mantidae) with water vapour from cloud. Taken at high altitude hill station, Himalayas, India.
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Tui De Roy / Flock of American flamingos (Phoenicopterus ruber) performing courtship strutting, Quinta Playa, Isabela Island, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.
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Alex Mustard / Group of Whitetip reef sharks (Triaenodon obesus) resting on a ledge, Revillagigedo Islands, Mexico, Pacific Ocean.
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Klein & Hubert / Lion (Panthera leo leo) pride lying in the shade of a tree at sunset, Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya, Africa.
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Henley Spiers / Blue button (Porpita porpita) with a juvenile fish (most likely a species of jack) using it for shelter. Eastern Pacific, Costa Rica, February.
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Eduardo Blanco / Common crane (Grus grus) flying at sunrise, Laguna de Gallocanta, Aragon, Spain.
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Gabriel Rojo / Aerial view of tourists watching Southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) from the coast, Peninsula Valdes, El Doradillo Nature Reserve, Chubut Province, Patagonia, Argentina. August.
