Moment two soggy lions appear to comfort each other as they brace themselves against a heavy downpour
TWO lions appear to comfort each other as they brace themselves against a heavy downpour.
The soggy big cats were captured in Kenya by wildlife photographer Ashleigh McCord who said at points the rain was falling so hard the animals were barely visible.
A shot of a surprising encounter between an eagle and a bear cub up a tree was also a favourite with voters.
An image of willows reflected in a frozen Italian lake dedicated to a lost friend was crowned the winner.
Photographer Cristiano Vendramin, who took the top picture, said he hoped his photography “will encourage people to understand that the beauty of nature can be found everywhere around us”.
He said: “I believe having a daily relationship with nature is increasingly more necessary to have a serene and healthy life.
”Nature photography is therefore important to remind us of this bond, which we must preserve, and in whose memory, we can take refuge.”