A mantis silhouetted by a light won the silver in the invertebrate behavior category. The image is equal parts serene and creepy, making for a dramatic shot.
Not all tech needs to be a distraction.
Other winners of the ocean life photo contest include penguins in Beatles formation, crabby-looking dolphins, and cuttlefish abstaining from a death match to win over the girl.
From fluorescent mosquitoes to scientists swimming alongside whale sharks, Nature's annual photo contest offers a rare look at science in action.
Check out stunning snapshots depicting all corners of nature, courtesy of the GDT Nature Photography Competition of 2026.
We'll give you a hint: It lives underwater, but it doesn't swim. At least, not as an adult.
Winning shots from the Capturing Ecology competition highlight the complex relationships that shape ecosystems.