Each year the prestigious wildlife photographer of the year competition reveals stunning new images taken by expert photographers in the natural world. The exhibition goes on show at the Natural History Museum in London from October 31 2008 to April 26 2009. Here are some of the best entries shortlisted for this year's prize. Winners will be announced on October 30
Bat house, Christian Ziegler, Germany. Highly commended in the animals in their environment category
A common big-eared bat circles its fallen tree-trunk roost. The species was one of the subjects Christian focused on in his quest to illustrate how different feeding and roosting habits allow 74 species of bat to live together on the tropical island of Barro Colorado in Panama. Canon EOS 5D, 16-35mm lens, 4 secs at f8
Sandpiper congregation, Arthur Morris, USA. Highly commended in the animal behaviour: birds category
Arthur to Cordova, Alaska, in early May to photograph migrating sandpipers. But when he got there he was told he’d missed the migration by a week and that only a few birds were left. A friend told him he might find a flock on a sandbar very near town – and there in full view was a congregation of 6,000. Canon EOS-1D, EF500mm lens, 1/60 sec at f22
Colourful business, Noam Kortler, Israel. Highly commended in the underwater world category
‘A little cleaner fish will dart out and pick off a couple of parasites,’ says Noam about the reef around Moses Rock, Eilat, Israel. Most big reef fish make a point of turning up daily for a grooming session, which can last several minutes. Here a bullethead parrotfish holds its mouth open so a cleaner can peck inside. Nikon D2x, 105mm f2.8G micro lens, 1/125 at f13
Bee-eater ballet, Chris van Rooyen, South Africa. Highly commended in the animal portraits category
A boat on the Zambezi was the perfect hide from which to observe a colony of at least 1,000 bee-eaters in Caprivi, Namibia. Activity was constant, and the birds never stopped chirruping as they chased insects. ‘I had the distinct impression some were just having fun,’ says Chris. Canon EOS-1D, EF500mm f4 lens, 1/2500 sec at f8
Treetop jigsaw, Brittany Fried, USA. Highly commended in the 10 years and under category
‘I found it intriguing’, says Brittany about the rainforest in Malaysia, ‘that something as simple as treetops could look as beautiful as these did.’ They slotted together in a way that reminded her of a jigsaw. ‘I love nature,’ she says, ‘and the thought of a giant puzzle made me think how amazing the Earth is and how small humans are. Nikon Coolpix S9
Shell wildlife photographer of the year
Each year, Shell's wildlife photographer of the year competition aims to find the most stunning and original wildlife pictures taken by photographers of all ages in all countries across a range of categories. All of the winning images are showcased in their full-sized glory at the Natural History museum from October 26 until the end of April next year.