This Wildlife Photography Showcases Earth's Most Spectacular Sites

The winners of the 50th Wildlife Photographer of the Year were awarded this week in London at the Natural History of Museum, and the honorees are stop-you-in-your-tracks beautiful. Incredibly enough, it's not just professional photographers who can submit to this contest. One prize recipient was just 8 years old.

Not only did the winners receive their awards from the museum's patron, the Duchess of Cambridge, but their photos will also be part of an international exhibition across six continents.

Read on for a look at the year's most breathtaking views of nature.

Grand Title Winner, Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2014

Grand Title Winner, Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2014

Michael Nichols followed this pride for nearly six months before getting this perfect photograph, shot in infrared. Source: Michael Nichols / Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2014

Grand Title Winner, Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2014

Grand Title Winner, Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2014

The picture of this yellow scorpion helped Carlos Perez Naval of Spain take home the grand prize in the 10 years and under category. Source: Carlos Perez Naval / Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2014

Winner, Earth's Environments Category

Winner, Earth's Environments Category

Photographer Francisco Negroni traveled to Puyehue National Park in Southern Chile to watch the Puyehue-Cordón Caulle volcano erupt and caught this lightning show at the same time. Source: Francisco Negroni / Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2014

Winner, The World in Our Hands Environmental Category

Winner, The World in Our Hands Environmental Category

While investigating endangered species in the Sahara, photographer Bruno D'Amicis found a teenager in Southern Tunisia selling this 3-month-old Fennec fox. Catching the foxes is illegal, but as D'Amicis found, wildlife exploitation is rampant in the region. Source: Bruno D'Amicis / Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2014

Winner, 15 to 17 Years Category

Winner, 15 to 17 Years Category

Anton Lilja spotted a large gathering of frogs mating near his home in Sweden. The male frog grasps the female for days to ensure he fertilizes her eggs, hence the photo's name, "The Long Embrace." Source: Anton Lilja / Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2014