The 13 photos below are all spectacular examples of the wild and fascinating nature all around us. Some are of species we all know and love, others we might see once in a lifetime – if we’re lucky. And all of them are finalists in the 2017 Graeme Loader Photo Gallery and Calendar Contest.
Last year year, we asked you to submit your best photos of wildlife. The response was overwhelming. More than 1,300 of you sent in incredible, adorable, majestic, unusual, ephemeral images of wildlife in their natural habitat.
Check them out and share them with your friends.

Grand prize winner

Finalists