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Gallery: Your snaps of UK nature

From star-lit landscapes to sun-kissed butterflies, your photos show UK nature at its beautiful best

11 August 2023

Whether you grab a quick picture on your phone or head out for a day’s serious photography with all the kit, a photo is the best way to capture – and share – the beauty of nature.

We asked you to send in your best pictures of UK nature, and the results showed off a wide variety of landscapes and habitats.

From chilly treetops at dawn to a close-up of a butterfly basking in the sunshine, it’s amazing to stop and take a moment to really look at what’s around you.

We’ve picked the 10 photos we really loved, and have asked Greg Armfield, senior producer at WWF-UK, to offer some thoughts on what gives each image its impact.

LISA JOYNES

Lisa sent us a great set of photos focusing on some of the UK’s smallest wildlife. ”I’ve always loved trying to capture the light,“ she says.

Greg says: What a gorgeous shot of a bee. The colour and soft textures of the flower sit perfectly with the fluffy bee feeding on nectar. Lovely.

Greg says: To capture a butterfly on its own is hard enough, but to capture both a butterfly and moth caterpillar at the same time is brilliant. This picture provides a real sense of summer.

JULIE HOARE

“The dragonfly photo was pot luck,” says Julie. “I had to wait ages for it to settle – thankfully it had a good reflection too!”

Greg says: What a great shot of typical dragonfly behaviour, with the reflection adding a lovely sense of calm to the picture.

ASTON MACRAE

Aston sent in a range of wildlife and landscape shots – all taken from his garden in Angus, Scotland.

Greg says: A lovely, atmospheric shot that provides the viewer with a real sense of nature and the wild.

JONATHAN LAING

Jonathan took both of these amazing photos – of a Eurasian otter and a Shetland wren – near his home on Shetland.

Greg says: A gorgeous shot. With the eyes focused and the fur thick and bushy, this looks like a strong and healthy otter!

Greg says: A great portrait of one of Britain’s smallest birds – a Shetland wren. With its mouth open it’s easy to imagine hearing its well-known and well-loved song. A pocket rocket!

ROB WHYBROW

Rob had been watching a peregrine nesting site in the Malvern Hills for several hours before being able to capture this scene: “The male adult flew in with a kill which it handed straight over to the female to distribute among the hungry mouths!”

Greg says: Nature in action. What a great moment to capture. The summer months are all about raising young and this picture perfectly reflects the family dynamic at its best.

JUDITH HOOPER

Judith captured a series of fantastic photos of birds, both at rest and busy gathering nesting materials.

Greg says: The soft focus surrounding the birds adds texture and a sense of warmth, drawing the eyes to the centre of the scene, where two long-tailed tits snuggle up together on a branch. Beautiful.

Greg says: A great shot that captures both behaviour (nest building) and beauty (the outstretched wing) in one go.

LAURA MAKULOVÁ

Laura snapped a tumbling waterfall at Ambleside while on holiday.

Greg says: A lovely, atmospheric shot. The blurred effect of the rushing water creates a real sense of motion and power.

Habitats and species | UK nature

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