Magical photo of kestrel on a blossoming tree wins 2022 GDT members’ Nature Photographer of the Year

Every year, the German Society for Nature Photography (GDT) runs a competition exclusively for the Society’s members, in addition to its European contest where anyone can enter. Still, even the society members only submit lots of amazing photos – and the best among them have been selected.

GDT has announced the 2022 winners of its members-only contest, and this year, the flattering title was awarded to Thomas Hempelmann. His image shows a gorgeous kestrel sitting on a blossoming branch, but there are some lovely category winners as well, so let’s take a look.

GDT counts over members coming from 11 European countries. Thomas Hempelmann is a 23-year-old photographer whose image The florist in a field was selected among the 6,400 submitted photos. Other than becoming the overall winner, Thomas also won in the Birds category.

Overall, the contest has seven categories: Birds, Mammals, Other Animals, Plants and Fungi, Landscapes, Nature’s Studio, and a special category. This year’s special category was created in cooperation with NABU Foundation for National Natural Heritage, and it was named Beech – Tree of the Year 2022. “The beech is considered the ecologically most important tree species in our country,” GDT explains, “reason enough to dedicate a separate category to it.”

Take a look at the category winners and runner-ups below, and make sure to visit the competition’s website for more details and more stunning photos.