Every once in a while, a collection of images hits you right in the chest — the kind that makes you stop scrolling, take a breath, and remember just how wild and wonderful our planet really is. That’s exactly the vibe of the 18 remarkable winning photos from the 2025 National Wildlife Photo Contest. These aren’t just snapshots; they’re goosebump-triggering stories of survival, beauty, attitude, and straight-up wilderness swagger.
Taking home the Grand Prize this year is photographer Kathleen Borshanian, who delivered a straight-up cinematic moment from the wild edges of St. George Island, Alaska. Picture this: a 1,000-foot sea cliff carved with narrow fox trails that flirt dangerously with the drop below, sunlight slicing through fog like a spotlight on nature’s main stage. While hiking toward the island’s west end, Borshanian spotted a female blue Arctic fox just 75 feet away — a rare beauty in a place that already feels otherworldly.