FIRST PLACE & PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR WINNER
wildlife
A Bit of a Pinch
Cork City, CO Cork
I'd followed this male otter along the River Lee in Cork City one April evening, watching him investigate the steps and nooks and crannies in the old quay walls, when he suddenly appeared with this fiery coloured crab.
He immediately took it under the next bridge to enjoy it in privacy away from the ever-alert gulls.
PHOTOGRAPHER: Chris Martin
SECOND PLACE
wildlife
Humpback in Dingle
Dingle Bay, CO Kerry
Watching Humpbacks from Slea Head, we also even had an orca aquarius that day from headland!
Was able to join Nick on his boat to see if we can get tail fluke images so we could identity the individual for the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group catalogue.
The image shows Humpback 131.
PHOTOGRAPHER: Stephen Dunbar
THIRD PLACE (Joint)
wildlife
Great Crested Grebe in Early Morning Light
Lough Ennell, CO Westmeath
I got up very early last April to go Lough Ennell in the hopes of seeing Great Crested Grebes.
It was a beautiful morning, very still and lovely soft light.
I was thrilled to capture this bird just emerging after a dive and creating a beautiful splash.
PHOTOGRAPHER: Christine Taylor
THIRD PLACE (Joint)
wildlife
Brent Geese at Dawn
Castlemaine Harbour, Cromane, CO Kerry
I live in Cromane right on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and every year in the autumn, hundreds of small, light-bellied, brent geese fly 3000km from the Arctic Circle to spend the winter in our field.
I love to listen to their gentle bickering as they feed on sea grass at the edge of the water.
At dawn, one winter morning, I finally got to capture a photo of these beautiful birds as they flew across mists rising over the hills under the Macgillycuddy's Reeks.
PHOTOGRAPHER: Nina Finn-Kelcey
The Deep End
Cork City, CO Cork
I've enjoyed photographing this older male otter in Cork City over a good few years now.
Here he was looking warily over at the traffic and pedestrians on the bridge before climbing onto the jetty, investigating the scents on the cleats and ropes and leaving a few "messages" of his own.
PHOTOGRAPHER: Chris Martin
Scratch
Royal Canal, Blanchardstown, CO Dublin
As a full-time family carer, my personal time is highly limited, but when I do get a chance, I walk along the 12th lock on the Royal Canal to clear my head.
This local heron is often there as quiet company, and I loved capturing this candid, unguarded moment of its daily routine.
PHOTOGRAPHER: James Allen
Common Green Shieldbug Caught Out in a Shower
Ferrybank, Wexford Town, CO Wexford
I was in Ferrybank looking to see what shore birds were about when it started to rain so I made my way back to the car and noticed some shieldbugs in the bramble next to the car.
When the shower passed I swapped to my macro set up to see if any of them were still about and that's when I saw this one still sitting out with the raindrops showing beautifully on its back so I didn't waste any time and took some photos.
Macro photography has always been my favourite so I was delighted to be able to catch this moment in time.
PHOTOGRAPHER: Pat Somers
Northern Fulmars
Downpatrick Head, CO Mayo
In February 2026, I was at Downpatrick Head photographing the Dún Briste sea stack when my girlfriend pointed out two northern fulmars on the cliff next to us.
This was a surprise to me as I had no idea these seabirds could be seen on land so early in the spring. Thankfully, I had my 150 - 600mm lens with me and I was able to capture the unique courtship displays of this quirky seabird.
PHOTOGRAPHER: Ryan Williams
Mother and Baby Dolphin
Dingle Peninsula, CO Kerry
I have been photographing wildlife for over 40 years, and I have a passion for dolphins and whales.
This photograph was taken in the Dingle Peninsula, I had been on the boat for over 3 hours when we spotted a pod of dolphins feeding, I was lucky enough to capture this young calf resting on its mother's fin.
For me, this is the shot of a life time.
PHOTOGRAPHER: Steve Byrne
