There are moments in nature photography that stay with you for years. And then there are those that suddenly return—much later, in an email or a message you read two or three times just to make sure it really says what you think it says.
That’s exactly what happened to me a few days ago:
My image “The Underside of Wonder” was awarded Highly Commended in the Plants & Fungi category at the Nature Photographer of the Year 2025 (NPOTY)—selected from more than 22,000 entries from around the world.
This recognition means a great deal to me. Not only because NPOTY is one of the most respected competitions in international nature photography, but also because this image was born from a very quiet, very unremarkable moment in the forest.
The Story Behind the Photo
It was a grey, rainy spring day when I decided to head out with my camera. The forest was silent, wrapped in mist and softened by the steady drumming of raindrops on leaves. I had no specific goal—just the curiosity to see whether the first mushrooms of the season had begun to appear.
Not far from the path, I noticed a strikingly large dryad’s saddle (Cerioporus squamosus) clinging to a tree trunk. Its patterned surface glowed subtly in the diffused rain-light, standing out against the dark bark and immediately drawing me in.
For the next two hours, I completely lost myself in this single mushroom. I explored every angle, lay down in the wet forest floor, searched for edges of light, and played with lines and textures. Raindrops gathered on the cap—tiny mirrors holding fragments of the world around them—and I tried to capture each fleeting moment.
By the time I finally packed up, both my gear and I were soaked to the skin. And yet I felt deeply invigorated. What began as a simple walk in the rain had turned into an intimate, almost meditative photographic experience—a reminder that even the most unassuming subjects can reveal extraordinary beauty when given time and attention.
Why This Recognition Matters to Me
I often photograph wildlife—lynx, leopards, bears, the “big” subjects. Which is why it means so much that an understated botanical moment from a rainy day in the forest received this kind of attention.
It reminds me that nature photography isn’t only about the dramatic encounters—it’s also about the quiet ones. And sometimes, those quieter stories rise to the surface in the most unexpected ways—even among 22,000 images submitted worldwide.
In Closing
I’m incredibly grateful for this award and want to thank everyone who follows my work, comments, shares, or simply enjoys the images in silence. It means a lot to know that these small, hidden wonders—encountered every day in nature—can resonate with others too.
And maybe, on your next walk in the rain, take a closer look at the tree trunks along the path. You never know what beauty might be waiting there.
