The Best 17 Photos From The "2020 BigPicture Natural World Photography" Competition

When the California Academy of Sciences announced their 2020 BigPicture Natural World Photography competition, the main idea was to “both celebrate and illustrate the rich diversity of life on Earth and inspire action to protect and conserve it through the power of imagery”. And competitors definitely managed to grasp it.

"Beneath the turbulence of a small waterfall in France's Lez River, a male common toad (Bufo bufo) holds on for dear life. Not his own life, though—the male is helping to ensure his species' survival by fertilizing his female companion's eggs as she lays them. Known as amplexus—Latin for 'embrace'—this mating behavior is common among amphibians and other animals whose eggs must be fertilized externally. Males temporarily develop glands on their toes, known as nuptial pads, to help them grip the swollen abdomens of the females. Then, as the female releases thousands of eggs in pearly, gelatinous strands, the male coats them with sperm. Scores of toads seeking partners for this ancient dance of procreation are killed each spring by motor vehicles. Fortunately, some European communities have built canals and even enlisted toad-shuttling volunteers to help them cross roads and reach their mates."