A captivating shot of energetic toad tadpoles has won Shane Gross the prestigious title of Wildlife Photographer of the Year.

Under a shimmering layer of lily pads in Cedar Lake, Canada, a school of western toad tadpoles drifted effortlessly through the water.

“For me, the best kind of fun is discovering something new and trying to capture it in the most compelling way possible," Shane shared with BBC News.

Maneuvering carefully to prevent stirring up the delicate silt and algae at the lake's bed, he managed to secure an unhindered view.

“I wasn’t sure if I had anything worthwhile until I got back," he admitted. "But when I finally checked, I thought, wow, this turned out pretty cool.”

Within 4 to 12 weeks of hatching, these tiny tadpoles will morph into toads, though only roughly 1% will survive into adulthood.

He was presented with the award at the Natural History Museum in London.

"This image radiates light, movement, and synchrony between the lilies and the tadpoles’ tails," said Kathy Moran, Jury Chair and Editor. "It beautifully draws attention to often-overlooked habitats and species."

Scroll down to view the collection of this year’s winning images.

Seventeen-year-old Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas, from Germany, claimed the Youth Wildlife Photographer of the Year award. His photograph, “Life Under Dead Wood,” depicted a slime mould fruiting near a tiny springtail, caught in motion.

Time was of the essence for Alexis, given that the small creatures can leap several times their body length in mere seconds.

“I think many people aren’t even aware that these lifeforms exist,” Alexis remarked. “If my images can provide insight into this miniature world, that’s a huge achievement for me.”

His final piece was created using focus-stacking, merging 36 images into a single mesmerizing shot.

These minute springtails, less than two millimeters long, coexist with slime moulds on every continent, helping maintain soil health by feasting on microorganisms.

Dusting for New Evidence by Britta Jaschinski, Germany/UK

Britta Jaschinski captured a forensic investigator at Heathrow Airport dusting a seized elephant tusk for fingerprints with revolutionary magnetic powder.

Under the Waterline by Matthew Smith, UK/Australia

By employing a customised underwater housing, Matthew Smith revealed an eye-catching split-frame photo, showcasing a curious leopard seal just beneath the Antarctic surface.

Dolphins of the Forest by Thomas Peschak, Germany/South Africa

Highlighting the Amazon River dolphin’s unique adaptation to forest habitats that flood seasonally, Thomas Peschak examined the relationship between these endangered dolphins and local communities, as well as the human actions that threaten these creatures.

Tiger in Town by Robin Darius Conz, Germany

While filming in India’s Western Ghats, Robin Darius Conz captured a tiger standing on a hillside near human development. Using a drone, he shed light on the stark contrast between untouched territories and areas altered by people.

A Tranquil Moment by Hikkaduwa Liyanage Prasantha Vinod, Sri Lanka

After photographing birds and leopards, Hikkaduwa Liyanage Prasantha Vinod focused on a young toque macaque dozing in an adult’s arms, capturing the struggles these monkeys face in the wake of habitat loss and agricultural conflicts.

The Demolition Squad by Ingo Arndt, Germany

Lying on the ground, Ingo Arndt witnessed red wood ants dismantling a blue beetle for transport. “Within minutes, I felt like I was covered in ants,” he said, marveling at their teamwork.

Free as a Bird by Alberto Román Gómez, Spain

From his father’s car in Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park, Alberto Román Gómez captured a stonechat resting beside a heavy chain, playfully resembling a little warrior as it darted around snatching insects.

Frontier of the Lynx by Igor Metelskiy, Russia

Taking over six months to prepare, Igor Metelskiy used a camera trap to capture a serene lynx stretching in the late evening sun, blending seamlessly into its wild environment.

Old Man of the Glen by Fortunato Gatto, Italy

Exploring the ancient beauty of Scotland’s Glen Affric, Fortunato Gatto photographed a weathered birch tree draped with 'old man’s beard' lichen, in a region famed for its old-growth woodland ecosystems.

Practice Makes Perfect by Jack Zhi, USA

Taking eight years to track the birds, Jack Zhi finally caught sight of a young falcon honing its hunting skills by pursuing a butterfly near its clifftop nest. Tracking their high-speed flights proved especially challenging.

The Artful Crow by Jiří Hřebíček, Czech Republic

Jiří Hřebíček crafted a visually striking image of a carrion crow using a long shutter speed and purposeful camera movement.

On Watch by John E Marriott, Canada

Tracking lynx in snowy forests for over a week, John Marriott captured a mother and her grown cub sheltering from the chilly wind. Exercising caution, he kept a respectful distance to avoid disturbing them.

A Diet of Deadly Plastic by Justin Gilligan, Australia

Justin Gilligan assembled a mosaic of 403 small plastic pieces found in the stomach of a dead flesh-footed shearwater, documenting the extensive damage plastic pollution causes to marine life.

An Evening Meal by Parham Pourahmad, USA

In a city park, Parham Pourahmad photographed a young Cooper’s hawk tearing into a squirrel as the final sunlight of the day illuminated the scene. Parham aimed to show that even in urban settings, nature remains wild and untamed.

Wetland Wrestle by Karine Aigner, USA

Acting as a tour guide, Karine Aigner observed a battle between a yellow anaconda and a yacaré caiman in the wetlands, puzzled over which of the two had initiated the violent encounter.

The Serengeti of the Sea by Sage Ono, USA

Tiny tube-snout fish eggs shimmered among glowing kelp fronds, their colors softening with maturity. Inspired by his grandfather, Sage Ono documented the fragile underwater ecosystem of Monterey Bay’s giant kelp forests.

“I’m drawn to the small and strange. When I saw those eggs intertwined with the kelp, I knew it was something I didn’t already have a photograph of—and I hadn’t really seen captured before,” Sage explained.

The Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition will open this Friday at the Natural History Museum.