Mold on Bat Guano Wins 2026 European Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Hungarian photographer Imre Potyó won the 2026 European Wildlife Photographer of the Year with 'Hidden Worlds,' a macro shot of pin mold growing on bat guano in a Hungarian mine tunnel. The image, captured during a controlled bat count without disturbing hibernating bats, is the first overall winner from the Plants and Fungi category in the competition’s 26-year history. An international jury selected it from over 26,000 entries submitted by amateur and professional photographers from 46 countries. The German Society for Nature Photography organized the awards, which also included the Fritz Pölking Prize and the Rewilding Europe Award. Other notable winners included Jan Wieczorek for 'Secret Paths' (Birds) and Lorenzo Shoubridge for 'The Cat and a Thousand Lanterns' (Mammals).