A spider photograph taken by Simone Baumeister from Ibbenbüren, Germany, has earned her a major prize at the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition in London. The 51-year-old nature photographer captured one of the year's best wildlife images in an unexpected urban setting, demonstrating that extraordinary nature photography can happen anywhere.
Baumeister's award-winning photograph features a spider caught in the blue reflection of a car's headlight, surrounded by traffic lights and taillights creating a magical urban scene. The image was taken on a pedestrian bridge at the Ibbenbüren train station, a location that might seem unlikely for award-winning wildlife photography. However, this unconventional setting proved to be the perfect backdrop for capturing a truly unique moment.
The photographer recalls the moment when she discovered the perfect shot. Baumeister had cycled to the pedestrian bridge near the Ibbenbüren train station when she spotted the web. She now points to the exact spot between two metal bars where her prize-winning Wildlife Photo of the Year 2025 was created. The combination of urban lighting and the spider's natural web created an extraordinary visual composition that caught the attention of international judges.
This recognition at the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition, one of the world's most prestigious nature photography contests, highlights how exceptional wildlife photography can emerge from everyday urban environments. Baumeister's success demonstrates that photographers don't always need to travel to exotic locations to capture award-winning images – sometimes the most compelling subjects can be found in their own neighborhoods.
