Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2008  

The BBC reports that it is Wildlife Photographer of the Year time once again - Snow leopard wins top photo prize. More at The Telegraph.

A picture of an elusive snow leopard on a night-time prowl has won the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2008 award.

Steve Winter's image was captured during a 13-month quest to snap the perfect photo of the endangered species in its hostile habitat high in the mountains of Central Asia. Speaking about his winning snap, Mr Winter said: "I was thrilled to have finally captured the shot I had dreamed of - a wild snow leopard in its true element."

The competition, now in its 44th year, is run by BBC Wildlife magazine and London's Natural History Museum. The panel of judges spent months shifting through more than 32,350 entries before deciding on the winners.

"Everything comes together in this striking picture," said judge Mark Carwardine on Mr Winter's image. "The drama of the snow, the mystery of the darkness, the posture of the rarely photographed snow leopard and the intriguing composition."