/ 2025 / Nature / Wildlife

• Prize
  Honorable Mention
• Photographer
  HIKO, Japan

A swan stands tall in the shallow waters of a quiet lake, its wings outstretched beneath a dramatic sky. The low perspective draws attention to a lone feather in the foreground, hinting at a recent moment of motion or change. The stormy clouds above, the stillness of the water, and the powerful pose of the swan create a sense of contrast—grace within turbulence, purity amidst nature’s raw expression. This photograph captures a fleeting moment of beauty and presence, where light, timing, and nature align to form a story of quiet strength and serenity.