A snapshot of wriggling toad tadpoles has earned Shane Gross the title of Wildlife Photographer of the Year.
Beneath a floating canopy of lily pads in Cedar Lake, Canada, a swarm of western toad tadpoles glided gracefully through the water.
“To me, the most fun that I can have, the thing that lights me up inside, is to see something new and try to photograph it in the best way I possibly can,” Shane told BBC News.
His careful movements through the delicate layer of silt and algae at the lake’s bottom ensured a clear view.
“I had no idea if I had anything good at all until I got home,” he said. “But when I finally looked, I was like, wow, this is pretty cool.”
Within four to twelve weeks after hatching, these little tadpoles begin their transformation into toads, with only about 1% making it to adulthood.
He was awarded the prize at London’s Natural History Museum.
“This image swirls with light, energy and a feeling of synchronised movement between the lilies and the tadpole tails,” said Kathy Moran, Jury Chair and Editor. “The real payoff is that this wonderful scene highlights environments and species that are often overlooked.”
Scroll on to see all of the winning photographs.
Read More: Wildlife Photographer of the Year: Tadpoles win top prize