San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park just got a whole lot more breathtaking. The California Academy of Sciences has announced the winners of its 13th annual BigPicture: Natural World Photography Competition, and the images are nothing short of magical. More than 7,400 photographs from talented photographers in 64 countries were submitted this year, and the 42 winning images plus finalists and five videos are now on view at the Academy, inviting visitors to experience nature from a brand-new point of view.
The Grand Prize goes to “A Seal’s Last Sight” by Norwegian photographer Audun Rikardsen, a striking underwater portrait of a polar bear peering through a seal’s breathing hole in the Arctic ice near Svalbard. Captured from the seal’s own perspective, the image frames the bear’s curious face with ice, water, and bubbles. “This is the most incredible perspective of a polar bear that I’ve ever seen,” said jury chair Suzi Eszterhas, praising the skill and determination it took to capture the shot in such extreme conditions.
The winning images span seven categories, from dramatic wildlife moments to the quiet beauty of fragile ecosystems, reminding all of us why protecting the planet matters. The exhibit is on view at the California Academy of Sciences starting September 10, a perfect family outing or a dreamy solo visit. Come see nature through the eyes of the world’s best photographers!
Photo: Audun Rikardsen / California Academy of Sciences
