Stunning underwater scene crowned Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2021 winner

By Jeevan Ravindran, CNN
2 minute read
Updated 4:21 AM EDT, Wed October 13, 2021
French underwater photographer Laurent Ballesta's winning shot of camouflage groupers exiting their clouds of eggs and sperm in Fakarava, French Polynesia.
French underwater photographer Laurent Ballesta's winning shot of camouflage groupers exiting their clouds of eggs and sperm in Fakarava, French Polynesia.
Laurent Ballesta/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Andrés Luis Dominguez Blanco, from Spain, won in the "11-14 years" category for his shot of a warbler singing amid a field of sunflowers.
Andrés Luis Dominguez Blanco, from Spain, won in the "11-14 years" category for his shot of a warbler singing amid a field of sunflowers.
Andrés Luis Dominguez Blanco/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Israeli-Canadian photographer Gil Wizen won in the "Behaviour: Invertebrates" category for this shot of a fishing spider stretching out silk from its spinnerets to weave into its egg sac.
Israeli-Canadian photographer Gil Wizen won in the "Behaviour: Invertebrates" category for this shot of a fishing spider stretching out silk from its spinnerets to weave into its egg sac.
Gil Wizen/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
In the "Oceans: The Bigger Picture" category, American Jennifer Hayes won for her shot of blood-stained sea ice where harp seals were giving birth.
In the "Oceans: The Bigger Picture" category, American Jennifer Hayes won for her shot of blood-stained sea ice where harp seals were giving birth.
Jennifer Hayes/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Italian photographer Stefano Unterthiner won in the "Behaviour: Mammals" category for his photo of two reindeer battling for control.
Italian photographer Stefano Unterthiner won in the "Behaviour: Mammals" category for his photo of two reindeer battling for control.
Stefano Unterthiner/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
In "Wetlands -- The Bigger Picture" category, Spanish photographer Javier Lafuente won for this shot of a road slicing through the wetlands landscape.
In "Wetlands -- The Bigger Picture" category, Spanish photographer Javier Lafuente won for this shot of a road slicing through the wetlands landscape.
Javier Lafuente/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Israeli-Canadian photographer Gil Wizen won the "Urban Wildlife" category after finding a venomous Brazilian wandering spider under his bed.
Israeli-Canadian photographer Gil Wizen won the "Urban Wildlife" category after finding a venomous Brazilian wandering spider under his bed.
Gil Wizen/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Canadian-Slovakian Martin Gregus won the "Rising Star Portfolio Award" for a shot of female polar bears playing in water.
Canadian-Slovakian Martin Gregus won the "Rising Star Portfolio Award" for a shot of female polar bears playing in water.
Martin Gregus/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
In the "Natural Artistry" category, British photographer Alex Mustard found a ghost pipefish hiding in a feather star.
In the "Natural Artistry" category, British photographer Alex Mustard found a ghost pipefish hiding in a feather star.
Alexander Mustard/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Australian photographer Adam Oswell drew attention to the exploitation of elephants in the "Photojournalism" category.
Australian photographer Adam Oswell drew attention to the exploitation of elephants in the "Photojournalism" category.
Adam Oswell/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Canadian Shane Kalyn's shot of a raven courtship display won him the "Behaviour: Birds" category.
Canadian Shane Kalyn's shot of a raven courtship display won him the "Behaviour: Birds" category.
Shane Kalyn/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Kuwaiti photographer Majed Ali's shot of a mountain gorilla enjoying the rain won the "Animal Portraits" category.
Kuwaiti photographer Majed Ali's shot of a mountain gorilla enjoying the rain won the "Animal Portraits" category.
Majed Ali/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
In the "15-17 Years" category, Finnish winner Lasse Kurkela captured a Siberian jay flying to the top of a spruce tree to stash its food.
In the "15-17 Years" category, Finnish winner Lasse Kurkela captured a Siberian jay flying to the top of a spruce tree to stash its food.
Lasse Kurkela/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Portuguese photographer João Rodrigues won the "Behaviour: Amphibians and Reptiles" category for his underwater shot of courting sharp-ribbed salamanders in a flooded forest.
Portuguese photographer João Rodrigues won the "Behaviour: Amphibians and Reptiles" category for his underwater shot of courting sharp-ribbed salamanders in a flooded forest.
João Rodrigues/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
South African Brent Stirton won the "Photojournalism Story Award" for his profile of a rehabilitation center caring for chimpanzees orphaned by the bushmeat trade.
South African Brent Stirton won the "Photojournalism Story Award" for his profile of a rehabilitation center caring for chimpanzees orphaned by the bushmeat trade.
Brent Stirton/Wildlife Photographer of the Year
American Zack Clothier won the "Animals in their Environment" category after a grizzly bear took an interest in his camera trap near some bull elk remains.
American Zack Clothier won the "Animals in their Environment" category after a grizzly bear took an interest in his camera trap near some bull elk remains.
Zack Clothier/Wildlife Photographer of the Year