Wildlife Photographer of the Year

David Maitland (United Kingdom)

Deadlock

'A cat-eyed tree-snake was locked in an embrace with a Morelet's treefrog. The kicking frog showed no sign of weakening. And the stubborn snake wouldn't budge. It was a complete stalemate. Three hours later, I realised the first one to give in would, in fact, be me - and I went to bed.' When the rains come to the forests of Belize, the treefrogs descend after dark from the canopy, gathering around the puddles and ponds. Male frogs serenade females and fight off rivals in the race to mate. Found only in a few areas of northern Central America and Mexico, the Morelet's treefrog is a critically endangered species due to habitat destruction and disease.

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II + 100mm macro lens; 1/500 sec at f10; ISO 50; twin flashes.