Urban animals
Looking out into a concrete jungle
PHOTOGRAPHER
Sam O'Donnell
CATEGORY
Urban animals – Winner 2025
DESCRIPTION
In spring, a small colony of sand martins took up residence in old drainage pipes at Walthamstow Wetlands in East London. It was amazing to watch this migratory species breed successfully and thrive in this highly urban nature reserve. It's something we should all strive for – to live alongside nature without harming it. I sat down, got into position (getting stung by a few nettles), adjusted my settings, and waited for a bird to perch on the edge of the pipe.
Holy pigeon
PHOTOGRAPHER
Anton Poon
CATEGORY
Urban animals – Runner-up 2025
DESCRIPTION
It was sunset, and I was walking along Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong. The light was beautiful and I saw a pigeon – a rock dove – sitting very still on a handrail, with the Ferris wheel in the distance. I only had my macro lens with me, so I got as close as I could without scaring the pigeon, and positioned their head within the ring of light. It looks ethereal, with a makeshift halo. Pigeons often get a bad rap, but they’re beautiful birds.
Flock
PHOTOGRAPHER
Ryan Wong
CATEGORY
Urban animals – Commended 2025
DESCRIPTION
I was touring around the narrow back alleys of Little India in Singapore one summer's evening when I noticed this group of pigeons above me. They were rising and landing periodically in response to noises below. I waited until a number of them spread their wings, making striking monochrome silhouettes while overexposed. Despite the chaotic layers of corrugated iron and aging concrete, they seemed to have found their place and be enjoying themselves.