BREATHTAKING images celebrating nature raw in tooth and claw have been captured by the world's best wildlife photographers in one of the year's most dramatic exhibitions.
Big cats, soaring birds of prey and tiny bugs are the focus of the hotly-anticipated Veolia Environnement Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition that opens at Nature in Art on Tuesday, direct from its London launch.
Shots of creatures great and small will fascinate, dumbfound and enchant visitors to the Twigworth gallery near Gloucester.
Penguins racing each other over the Antarctic ice, a jewelled-coloured turtle in a turquoise sea, young cheetahs eyeing up their prey and a polar bear on thin ice are all award-winning images in this stunning annual competition.
Kate Drummond, from Nature in Art, said: "We're delighted to be once again hosting this prestigious exhibition, on one of its first out-of-London showings since its launch.
"We anticipate that the exhibition will attract in the region of 5,500 visitors and is a must for those interested in photography and the natural world."
Now in its 48th year, the awards have drawn more than 48,000 entries from 98 countries to capture the intrigue and beauty of the planet.
With 18 categories covering everything from marine life and animal behaviour to urban wildlife and endangered species the awards reveal the splendid diversity of the world's flora and fauna. There are four categories for aspiring young wildlife photographers to encourage young people to connect with nature through photography.
Chairman of the judging panel Jim Brandenburg said: "It amazes me to discover new and startling moments that have never been seen before.
"Secret moments in nature combined with a talented eye have given us rare photographs that will be enjoyed forever."
This year the winner was Canadian photographer Paul Nicklen with Frozen Moment – two penguins springing out of the southern ocean on to the ice of Antarctica.
The world-renowned exhibition, on loan from the Natural History Museum, runs at the Wallsworth Hall gallery until March 17.
It features familiar British species alongside the exotic and endangered, as well as some of the most spectacular scenery on the globe.
The gallery is open Tuesdays to Sundays, 10am to 5pm. Entrance costs £5.25 for adults, £4.75 concessions and free for under-eights.