Guardian of the Mangroves – Overall Winner. Tanya Houppermans, Cuba. A curious American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) swims right up to Tanya, at Gardens of the Queen (Jardines De La Reina), an archipelago off the coast of Cuba. It has been strictly protected since 1996, and is one of the most untouched marine ecosystems in the world. ‍ “The healthy population of American crocodiles is down to the pristine condition of the mangroves and I wanted to capture close ups of this gentle giant in its natural habitat. I hope this image can illustrate that protecting areas like this is so critical”. (Photo by Tanya Griffin Houppermans/Mangrove Photographer of the Year)

Twin brothers Keith (L) and Deano Stapleton (R) interact with one another as people gather to witness the winter solstice on December 21, 2022 in Newgrange, Ireland. Crowds are gathering at Newgrange in Co Meath, this morning for the winter solstice – the astronomical phenomenon that marks the shortest day and the longest night of the year. Newgrange is a Stone Age (Neolithic) monument in the Boyne Valley, County Meath, it is the jewel in the crown of Ireland's Ancient East and was constructed approximately 5,200 years ago (3,200 B.C.) which makes it older than Stonehenge and the Great Pyramids of Giza. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

A member of the Qinghai Acrobatic Troupe checks her hair with a smartphone during a media preview for the world premiere of cabaret show “Shanghai Mimi” as part of Sydney Festival in Chinatown, central Sydney, Australia, 08 January 2019. Sydney Festival 2019 runs from 09 to 27 January and will feature theatre, dance, circus, music, visual arts and talks from international and local artists. (Photo by Steven Saphore/EPA/EFE)

A baby Black-crowned Night Heron squawks in its incubator while being cared for at City Wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center in Washington, DC on May 31, 2017. The heron is one of several that have been brought to CW by the staff at The National Zoo over the past few years. (Photo Linda Davidson/The Washington Post)

People collect water from shallow wells dug along the Shabelle River bed, which is dry due to drought in Somalia's Shabelle region, March 19, 2016. The cabinet ministers of the federal republic of Somalia have held on Thursday their weekly meeting in Mogadishu and discussed on the drought situation in parts of the country and its humanitarian consequences. Chaired by the acting PM and justice minister Abdullah Ahmed Jama (Ilka-Jir), the cabinet noted with deep concern the the prevailing situation in Somalia, with one of the worst ever drought in two decades. (Photo by Feisal Omar/Reuters)

Ng Sin Nee (L) and Lee Shin May (R) from Malaysia take pictures with the panoramic view of the city from the Sky Box at KL Tower, the world's seventh tallest telecommunications tower, in Kuala Lumpur on May 24, 2016. Officially opened on May 20, the Sky Box has been the latest attraction for tourists arriving to the Malaysian capital. It stands 300 metres above ground and can fit six people at any one time, and offers spectacular views of the Kuala Lumpur skyline, including the iconic Petronas Twin Towers. (Photo by Mohd Rasfan/AFP Photo)

A Cambodian tuk tuk driver and guide with a tarantula in his mouth shortly after is was dug from the ground on June 7, 2010 in Skuon, Kampong Cham Province, Cambodia. The trade for spiders and other insects as food and for medicinal purposes has been in effect since the 1970's in Cambodia but only very recently have tourists been finding a way to see where the spiders are hunted in the nearby countryside. One guide, who can be found in Kampong Cham Town has started offering tours to tourists who can find him. (Photo by Tim Whitby/Getty Images)

Bride Katty Malang Mikunug with friends, takes a photo before the wedding on October 21, 2017 in Saguiaran in Lanao del Sur, southern Philippines. Paulo Mamayo Ambor, 22, a resident of Marawi who got displaced by the fighting between government troops and IS-inspired militants, weds Katty Malang Mikunug, 22, a resident of an adjacent town in Saguiaran. Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte declared Marawi liberated, following the death of Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon and one of the Maute brothers, Omar Maute, after nearly five months of fierce urban battle inside the besieged city. The fighting started May 23, and left more than 1,000 people dead, whilst displacing at least 400,000 people. (Photo by Jes Aznar/Getty Images)