2005: Animals in their Environment - Runner-up
Sérgio Brant Rocha (Brazil)
Swifts ascending
Sérgio regularly gazed down at this giddy sight as he flew over the Aripuanã river on his way to and from a project in the Brazilian Amazon. Here at the Dardanelos Falls, the river plunges into a churning canyon 130 metres (426 feet) deep. Thousands of great dusky swifts dart in and out of the thundering water, nesting and sleeping on the vertical rocky walls behind. To negotiate the falls, says Sérgio, "they move in columns, descending and ascending vertically when they change perches on the walls." The aerial perspective created something of a trompe l'oeil - the water itself seeming to froth with swifts - and a truly extraordinary picture.
Nikon F4s with Nikon 180mm f2.8 ED-IF lens; 1/1000 sec; Fujichrome Velvia 100.
View other winners in this category
-
Adult awards Whooper swans at dawn Martin Eisenhawer
View
-
Adult awards Orang-utan in the rain Thomas Endlein
View
-
Adult awards Bush cricket pose Frederic Reglain
View
-
Adult awards Cave bear Hans Wolkers
View
-
Adult awards Dolphin seascape Todd Pusser
View
Search the online gallery
Enter a keyword to search for images from the 2005 competition
Veolia Environnement Wildlife Photographer of the Year is co-owned by the Natural History Museum and BBC Worldwide.
All intellectual property rights in the Veolia Environnement Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition images are retained by the photographer. Any reproduction of the images without prior written consent will constitute an actionable infringement. For information regarding permission to use competition images please email us.