Get closer to the wild with these award-winning nature photos

Feeling a little deprived of the natural world lately? You're not the only one. To help ease your nature craving, we've put together a gallery featuring some of the winning images in this year's GDT Nature Photographer of the Year competition.

A Hare’s Dream
© Peter Lindel/2020 GDT Nature Photographer of the Year

The top prize this year went to Peter Lindel from Dortmund, Germany for his stunning shot of a European hare. The winning image formed part of a series of photos Lindel captured showcasing the beauty of Dortmund's north.

"Peter Lindel spent a lot of time and blood, sweat and tears working on this project on his doorstep," the competition organisers wrote in a press release. "In these times, as everyone is urged to stay home, the generally classic subject of a hare gains special significance. It is also a beautiful statement for long-term exploration of a single species and region."

During his dozen-odd years exploring the fields and meadows of Dortmund, Lindel has noticed a significant decrease in the number of European hares inhabiting the German open country. "It has now become increasingly time-consuming to find hares and present them in an appealing photograph," Lindel explained. "This photo, A hare's dream, was taken in July of 2019 when months of searching a suitable location led me to a dirt road, which offered the most beautiful morning light, lovely vegetation and ... three hares. Dreamy, curious, careful, anxious. These are the adjectives that I find describe the expression of "my hare" best."

Here's a look at some of the other winning photos:

Takeoff. A coyote panics geese.
© Flurin Leugger/2020 GDT Nature Photographer of the Year

Flooded With Light. A blackbird in North Hesse.
© Jan Piecha/2020 GDT Nature Photographer of the Year

Fairytale world
© Florian Smit/2020 GDT Nature Photographer of the Year

Magic Light. Tree in the mist at the Albtrauf.
© Benjamin Waldmann/2020 GDT Nature Photographer of the Year

Glowing Fox. An Arabian red fox kitten explores Kuwait City at night just outside its den.
© Mohammad Murad/2020 GDT Nature Photographer of the Year