[imagesource: Ernest Porter]

Last week, Africa Geographic announced the finalists in their 2021 Photographer of the Year competition.

That photo above, taken by Ernest Porter and showing a lion in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park with what looks like a quill lodged in its nose, made the cut.

To qualify, photos must be taken on the continent, and the winner and two runners-up will share $10 000 between them.

Via Africa Geographic, here is a selection of the finalists:

Nestward-bound after a hard day at work. Kolwezi, Lualaba Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo. © Kirkamon Cabello

Nature’s greatest spectacle. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania. © Artur Stankiewicz

A Verreaux’s eagle carries a reluctant passenger before dropping it to be dashed on the rocks below. Langebaan Quarry, Cape Town. © Braeme Holland

Dust to dust. A pack of African wild dogs attacking a warthog. Okavango Delta, Botswana. © Golaotse Speedy Senase

Shaking off the dust at dusk. Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, South Africa. © Hannes Lochner

Mozambican long-fingered bat (Miniopterus mossambicus) emerging from the Codzo Cave. Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique. © Piotr Naskrecki

A precious fennec fox in the heart of the Tunisian desert. © Marcello Galleano

Shall we do one final snap before we’re on our way?

A green night adder finishing the remnants of his frog meal. Kogatende, northern Serengeti. © Marc Mol

The winner, as well as the two runners-up, will be announced later this week.

Also, in case you hadn’t noticed, the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is a great place to take photos of lions.

See all the finalists here.

[source:africageographic]