Hobbies & little joys · Published 20 October 2026

Wildlife photography makes room for a little good news

A new wildlife photography category puts hopeful moments in the frame — a cheerful prompt for your next camera outing.

Common kingfisher with orange chest and blue head perched on a branch against a green background
Common kingfisher in Sundarban, photographed on 6 January 2026 by Tannistha Mandal. Archive illustration of wildlife photography; not a Wildlife Photographer of the Year entry or winner. Photograph unchanged; cards may crop its display. CC BY 4.0; no endorsement. · Tannistha Mandal / Wikimedia Commons — Common Kingfisher sitting on a tree branch · CC BY 4.0 · Photo source

The Natural History Museum opened entries for its sixty-third Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition on 19 October. One addition is Positive Action: a category for photographs showing conservation success, connection with nature or an optimistic change.

The announcement also brings oceans and wetlands together within The Bigger Picture category. Entry closes on 3 December 2026; the official competition page has the full eligibility, fee and submission rules. Our photograph here is a separately licensed archive image, not an entry or winner in this competition.

You do not have to enter a competition to enjoy the idea. Our tea-break challenge is simply to notice one encouraging moment outdoors and think about how you would frame it. A familiar subject, watched patiently, can be more interesting than another hurried scroll.

Source: Natural History Museum, published 19 October 2026. Our perspective and gift suggestions are separate from the source reporting.

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