This outstanding collection of pictures represents the work of more than 80 professional and amateur photographers from 24 countries. It comprises all the winning and commended photographs from the Veolia Environnement Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2009 competition - the most prestigious competition of its kind in the world. The pictures have been selected by an international panel of judges from 43,135 entries, representing 94 countries. The pictures are chosen on their artistic merit, but the range of natural subjects represented is huge and the styles dive from unforgettable portraits and extraordinary behaviour to wild landscapes and environmental reportage. Together they are a celebration of the splendour, drama and variety of life on Earth.