Dr. Aoibheann Gaughran pictured while bird netting in Áras an Uachtaráin as part of the biodiversity survey carried out by the TCD team of ecologists. This image being the winner of the photo competition this year is even more meaningful, as Aoibheann’s bright presence is continually missed in the department. Aoibheann is pictured here doing what she loved, which is how she will always be remembered.
2022 Winner
Lookwhat I’ve brought!by KatrinSchertenleib
Two adult Puffins (Fratercula arctic) at Great Saltee. The left one stopped for a quick rest next to the other, before it hurried into one of the burrows to feed its Puffling. Puffins can hold multiple fish between their tongue and upper mandible while continuing to catch more. The world record is said to be 80 (small larval fish). Larger gulls like this and often try to steal the catch, so the successful hunters stay very alert.
2020 Winner
Flight in Lavenderby Floriane O’Keefe
A male Rufous-tailed hummingbird in flight in Mindo, Ecuador. Hummingbirds are the only birds that can fly backwards, and are some of the smallest birds in the world.
2019 Winner
Mirror mirror in the melted iceby Jenny Bortoluzzi
Back in 2015, as a research assistant on an expedition to the high Arctic, the team onboard had the pleasure of being visited by this beautiful and healthy female polar bear. She hung around the vessel for a couple of hours, intrigued by this giant metallic structure that had appeared in her home. I captured this moment by chance as she lowered her head to the water, seemingly looking at her reflection… It also acts as a reminder of the challenges and dangers these animals face because of our actions.
2018 Winner
Sweet Chocolate mining bee by Laura Russo
We were delighted to find a nesting aggregation of the sweet chocolate mining bee (Andrena scotica) at the Trinity Botanic gardens in Dartry. One landed on my finger for warmth on a cool summer day.
2017 Winner
Alpine Salamanderby Alain Finn
We were visiting one of our high elevation field sites in the Swiss Alps on what turned out to be a damp and misty day. Visibility was less than 20 metres in places. We headed up to the summit via cable car on the off-chance it was above the cloud line – spoiler, it wasn’t! – and while discussing whether to abandon our work for the day, an Alpine Salamander (Salamandra atra) wandered across my path.
