A Rare White Whale Sighting Tops the 2026 World Nature Photography Awards

Among humpback whales, which can grow upwards of 60 feet long and weigh up to 40 tons, instances of albinism are exceedingly rare. But when these otherworldly all-white mammals appear—such as the beloved Migaloo that was first spotted in 1991 off Australia’s east coast—they inspire wonder.

Marine photographer Jono Allen captured a unique shot of a baby white humpback being nudged by its mother, taking the top prize in the 2026 World Nature Photography Awards (WNPA), in addition to winning the Underwater category.

A vertical aerial view of a mineral pool with colors in the center and an outline that makes it look like a close-up of a dragon's eye — © Miki Spitzer, “The eye of the dragon.” Gold in the Planet Earth’s Landscapes and Environments category

The seventh edition of WNPA continues to highlight the diversity, beauty, and inherent vulnerability of our planet’s wildlife and ecosystems. From Mary Schrader’s tender portrait of a gorilla observing a butterfly to Miki Spitzer’s enigmatic drone photo of a mineral pool that looks like the close-up of a dragon’s eye, all of the winning photos emphasize curiosity and awe.

The contest is now accepting entries for its 2027 edition. See the winners’ gallery and learn more on WNPA’s website.

A gorilla looks at a yellow butterfly — © Mary Schrader, “Shared wonder.” Gold in the Animal Portraits category

A lizard steels itself against blowing sand in the desert — © Dewald Tromp, “Stoicism in a sandstorm.” Gold in the Behavior – Reptiles category

Wood chips fly as a woodpecker pecks at a tree — © Hemin Patel, “Home building.” Bronze in the Behavior – Birds category

A grizzly bear splashes in a creek as red salmon spawn in a huge gathering in front of it — © Charlie Wemyss, “Dunn Splash.” Gold in the Animals in Their Habitat category

A moose looks through a camera in a snowy landscape — © Deena Sveinsson, “The wildlife photographer.” Gold in the People and Nature category

A dramatic ice cap dwarfs a colony of penguins — © Harry Skeggs, “Between the cracks.” Bronze in the Animals in Their Habitat category

A close-up photograph of a bee with a gem of nectar — © Eduardo Salvador Cabrera, “The nectar drop.” Bronze in the Behavior – Invertebrates category

An aerial view of a large glacier with numerous colorful rivulets leading into open water — © Stuart Chape, “Glacial blue.” Silver in the Planet Earth’s Landscapes and Environments category

An underwater photograph of a sea turtle surrounded by glass fish — © Aimee Jan “Green sea turtle surrounded by glass fish.” Bronze in the Underwater category

A baby polar bear embraces its mother in the Arctic — © Michael Stavrakakis, “Bear hug.” Silver in the Behavior – Mammals category

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