LEAPING horses, polar bears cuddling and bug-eyed insects are just a few incredible pictures that were in the running for a major photography award.
The breathtaking snaps wowed judges of the inaugural 2021 MUSE Photography Awards.
11
Camille Briottet's Beauté de Camargue, which shows two horses of an ancient breed tussle in water, received a platinum award 11
Polar bears cuddling after emerging from their den, by Dorota Senechal Credit: Dorota Senechal/MUSE Photography Awards/TNG 11
'Blooming Delivery' by Mite Visuals is an aerial shot of tulip fields in The Netherlands Credit: Mite Visuals/MUSE Photography Awards/TNG 11
'A Mother's Love' by photographer Ron Magill shows a Koala bear holding on to her baby Credit: Ron Magill/MUSE Photography Awards/TNG
The competition was open to both rookie and pro photographers and included a wide range of categories, including black and white, nature, people, and architecture.
Participants from 50 countries, including the UK, Ireland, the US, Canada, Australia, France and Spain, submitted a staggering 1,872 entries but only a handful won gongs.
Each photo was blind judged by a panel of experts and the winners were chosen based on their overall score.
One of the stunning pictures is one taken by Camille Briottet's of wild horses of the La Camargue, in France.
"I wanted to pay tribute to these magnificent little horses in their region, in their environment," she said.
Most read in The Sun
SEAN'S FIGHT Sean Lock died from lung cancer after diagnosis years ago, Bill Bailey reveals
UPTICK? R rate UP for 1st time in weeks as 'very sick' youngsters in hospital, Whitty warns
wedding attack Wedding guest who molested sleeping woman while wife was in same bed jailed
Exclusive
MUM'S THE WORD Love Island shock as cast's parents enter the villa TODAY
Time out BBC Breakfast's Dan Walker breaks silence on show absence after fan panic
FRY-YAY BARGAIN Amazon 'glitch' reduced air fryer from ￡48 to just ￡4
"Unfortunately there are fewer and fewer, just a handful raised by enthusiasts."
Dorotha Senechal captured an adorable image of a family of polar bears cuddling in the snow.
The mother had emerged with her cubs from their den for the very first time to brave temperatures of -57C.
One of the most striking images is called The Little Earthlings by Irina Petrova showing bug-eyed insects.
Each image was obtained by focus stacking a tens or hundreds of shots.
Andrea Izzotti also scored a hit with her gorgeous shot of a playful seal carrying a starfish in its mouth, which was a platinum winner in the nature underwater category.
She added: “While diving in Cortez Sea, Mexico, I was approached by a young sea lion bringing a sea star and inviting me to play with him.
11
'Wide Open' by Christian Passeri Credit: Christian Passeri/MUSE Photography Awards/TNG 11
The Little Earthlings by Irina Petrov 11
A playful seal with a starfish caught by Andrea Izzotti Credit: Andrea Izzotti/MUSE Photography Awards/TNG 11
A Sperm Whale head looking at you from the sea at sunset Credit: Andrea Izzotti/MUSE Photography Awards/TNG 11
A caiman with a fish in its mouth Credit: Ron Magill/MUSE Photography Awards/TNG 11
'The Fisherman At Dawn' by Scott Kelby - taken in China Credit: Scott Kelby/MUSE Photography Awards/TNG 11
A lone polar bear captured in the Arctic by Irene Amiet Credit: Irene Amiet/MUSE Photography Awards/TNG