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Jef Pattyn's Image
Crossing a track was a thick black ribbon: thousands of safari ants on the march, looking for a new nest site.
Jef lay down to get a better look at their massive heads and pincer-like mandibles, managing a couple of frames at a time before leaping away in pain as some came close enough to nip. Colonies of safari ants contain millions of individuals. If food supplies get low, they will leave their anthill, forming long travelling columns as they search for a new home. Larger soldier ants stay along the flanks, rearing up aggressively to protect the smaller worker ants in the centre.
Behind the lens
Jef Pattyn
Belgium/the Netherlands
Jef is a biology student in the Netherlands, mainly focusing on marine ecology and conservation. Sports, travelling and photography are some of his main hobbies. He was introduced to photography by his father, who taught him everything he knew from a young age. As he’s very interested in marine biology, Jef is honoured to be able to contribute to raising awareness for our oceans.
Image details
- Canon EOS 7D
- 100mm f2.8 lens at 100mm
- 1/30 sec at f5.6 (+0.6 e/v)
- Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
Copyright in WPY competition photographs remains the property of the respective photographers. You may not copy, share, reproduce or republish the photographs except as expressly permitted by copyright law. For media image usage enquiries, please contact us.
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