The breathtaking successful photos from the GDT Nature Photographer of the 12 months 2023 contest

This eye-catching image, rating sixth within the ‘Different Animals’ class, reveals two American crocodiles within the mangroves of the Jardines de la Reina archipelago off the coast of mainland Cuba. Titled ‘Smile’, it’s the work of photographer Laura Becker

Touchdown in sixth place within the ‘Mammals’ class, this gorgeous shot by photographer Barbara Kaltenborn reveals a polar bear along with her cub on the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard

Topping the rostrum within the ‘Landscapes’ class, this mesmerising image by Britta Strack reveals the ‘mystical’ Pasterze Glacier on the foot of Austria’s Grossglockner mountain

A blackbird is silhouetted by the moon on this lovely shot, which ranks sixth within the ‘Birds’ class. Photographer Anton Trexler says that it reveals the ‘melancholy of the edge between day and evening’

Taking the bronze medal within the ‘City Nature’ class, this good image by Anton Trexler reveals a gecko inside a lantern in Spain

This hypnotising close-up of an owl is the work of photographer Karsten Mosebach. The portrait ranks third within the ‘Birds’ class 

LEFT: This magnificent shot of a roe deer beneath a full moon was taken earlier than dawn on the fringe of a nature reserve within the State of Brandenburg, Germany. Captured by photographer Andreas Geh, it ranks in eighth place within the ‘Mammals’ class.  RIGHT: Describing this evocative shot, photographer Andy Schmid says: ‘A male orca turns his again on the digicam in a darkish and chilly fjord in northern Norway, however leaves constructive vitality behind.’ The picture takes ninth place within the ‘Mammals’ class

This spellbinding image of a drifting iceberg in Greenland has been captured by photographer Scott Portelli. He notes that ‘intertwined layers of ice reveal vivid black, blue and translucent plains’ inside the iceberg. The shot is positioned eighth within the ‘Landscapes’ class

Photographer Peter Lindel notes that the ‘cloud of haze’ on this image will not be the breath of the lion that’s pictured, however slightly ‘the physique warmth of the just-killed zebra’ within the centre of the body. The shot ranks tenth within the ‘Mammals’ class

Recalling taking this transfixing portrait of a feminine elephant, Peter Lindel says: ‘The matriarch cow saved a watch on us till the final member of her small group had handed us.’ The picture takes the silver medal within the ‘Mammals’ class

Captured within the autumn, this breathtaking shot reveals fog descending over the Vosges Mountains in France through the dawn. Taken by photographer Radomir Jakubowski, the picture – titled ‘Autumn Fog Inferno’ – takes second place within the ‘Landscapes’ class

This dynamic shot reveals a mouse ‘taking a brief break from foraging at evening on the ledge of an previous and dusty cellar window’. Rating sixth within the ‘City Nature’ class, it’s the work of photographer Maximilian Fellermann

That is the shot that has gained Silke Huttche the title of GDT Nature Photographer of the 12 months. Huttche, who lives within the German metropolis of Wuppertal, says: ‘Each time I cross this electrical energy pole I have a look up for there’s at all times some type of chook sitting there. As was the case on this considerably boring day after I glanced up and noticed the kite sitting there on the one finish. Shortly after a second one [settled] on the other finish. This was getting thrilling – had been the 2 a pair or rivals? They only appeared to don’t have anything to say to one another and saved trying in reverse instructions.’ Huttche titled the shot ‘Scenes of a Marriage’. It additionally takes the highest prize within the ‘City Nature’ class