Скачать или смотреть * European Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2023 * | Javier Aznar González de Rueda – Maternal care

Overall Winner European Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2023

In Ecuador's largest protected area, Yasuní National Park, I was able to observe maternal care behaviour in the stink bug Antiteuchus tripterus over a two-week period. The female bug guarded its clutch of eggs on a small branch. This behaviour has been reported for other true bug species. To my surprise, it turned out that the mother bug not only protected the eggs but also the newly hatched larvae up to their first moult. In Ecuador's rainforest, the stink bug's brood is vulnerable to attack by numerous predators and parasitoids such as ichneumon wasps. Maternal care significantly increases the offspring's chances of survival. The rainforest is a highly complex ecosystem with countless organisms in a vast interconnected web of life.

Sony ILCE-7RM4, Laowa 2.8/25mm, flash with diffuser, ISO 320

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Javier Aznar González de Rueda – Spain
The Spanish nature photographer Javier Aznar González de Rueda focuses on natural history, wildlife conservation and the relationship between humans and nature. Informed by his knowledge of biology, Javier's photographs offer a personal view of the wildness and fascination of nature. He believes that the power of photography can help preserve the planet as well as its fauna and flora. With his images, Javier hopes to draw the public’s attention to the urgent need to protect wildlife.
Javier Aznar is a member of the International League of Conservation Photographers (iLCP) and The Photo Society. Javier has photographed for National Geographic and his work has been published in international magazines including GEO, BBC Wildlife and Smithsonian Magazine. Javier Aznar González de Rueda currently lives in Spain and frequently works abroad on photographic projects.

www.javieraznarphotography.com

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See all winning images here:
https://www.gdtfoto.de/ewpy2023