Results of the Best Photo of the Year 2014

This year’s annual competition attracted huge interest from all over the world with 400% more votes than normal.

Voter turn out was unusually high in two countries – Peru and Armenia.

Voting was also significantly influenced by activity on Facebook and other social media.

Based on this analysis one question comes to mind:  Are we voting for the photo or for the person?

Several wise photographers have suggested that the solution is to have two awards – one recognizing the “Best Photo” and the other nominating the “Most Popular Photographer”.

On this basis we are delighted to announce the results of the “Best Photo of the Year 2014” competition.

Thanks to all of the photographers taking part in the competition and also to everybody who voted and supported the competition.

Happy New Year 2015 to all wildlife enthusiasts.

The “Focusing on Wildlife” Team
CH-9000 St Gallen
Switzerland

PS. Looking forward to seeing more of your outstanding photos in 2015. More entries would be welcome for the next competition starting on Saturday 03 January.

“Best Photo of the Year 2014” – First Prize is awarded to Ashton Beney for her outstanding image “Look into my Eyes”. Second Prize goes to Vijayendra Desai for his inspiring photo “Sunset”. Don Getty wins Third Prize for his amazingly, well-captured “Snowy Owl Hunt”.

“Most Popular Photographer of the Year 2014” – Two persons share this award. Michael Tweddle received 25% of the overall vote with the support of his friends in Peru. Karen Jenderedjian received the highest number of votes with support from his friends in Armenia

See detailed results below:

(click on thumbnails for full scale view).

Little Bittern (Ixobrychus minutus)
Karen Jenderedjian170 votes (11.31%)

Hi Muppet! Hypsiboas tree frog
Michael Tweddle134 votes (8.92%)

Amazilia Hummingbird
Michael Tweddle111 votes (7.39%)

Look into my Eyes
Ashton Beney93 votes (6.19%)

Peruvian Cock-of-the-Rock
Michael Tweddle93 votes (6.19%)

Sunset
Vijayendra Desai62 votes (4.13%)

Snowy Owl Hunt
Don Getty61 votes (4.06%)

\'Hummingbird Trio\' by W. Nussbaumer
Walter Nussbaumer57 votes (3.79%)

Lovers
Silvestr Szabó52 votes (3.46%)

Pileated Woodpeckers
Robert Strickland51 votes (3.39%)

Inca Tern
Michael Tweddle51 votes (3.39%)

Brides Dance
Ruth Thiessen46 votes (3.06%)

Snipe reflexion
Noushka Wildlife45 votes (2.99%)

Grey Fox in Snow
David Courtenay42 votes (2.79%)

Male lions fighting
Dave Richards39 votes (2.59%)

Sunset Landing
Pam Mullins37 votes (2.46%)

I´ll Surrender
Harry Eggens36 votes (2.4%)

Focus
Candice Botha35 votes (2.33%)

Standing Tall
Ester van der Merwe35 votes (2.33%)

Great Horned Owl Family
Nancy Elwood34 votes (2.26%)

Angels dance
Jose Maurtua32 votes (2.13%)

Hunter
Nitin Jain27 votes (1.8%)

Bush Hyrax Heterohyrax brucei
Dave Richards27 votes (1.8%)

Striped chaos
Johann Van Heerden27 votes (1.8%)

Sunshine Girl
Howard Cheek26 votes (1.73%)

Final Approach
Jim Ehle23 votes (1.53%)

Two Eyes by Nitin Jain
Nitin Jain23 votes (1.53%)

Red eyed-leaf-frog
Jonathan Serrano19 votes (1.26%)

Oropendola Montezuma
Petr Bambousek15 votes (1%)

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