This 26-foot-high (8m) wave proved no obstacle to this European shag as it glided serenely over the break. Photographer Mario Suarez Porras was moved by the moment: "It made me reflect on how lucky the bird was to be free and able to fly with strength and determination in the most difficult conditions." Pictured off the coast of the Asturias region in northern Spain, these stormy seas – with big waves all year round – offer a good spot for adrenaline-seeking surfers. The image was awarded bronze in the Birds in the Environment category.

The most beautiful bird photographs of 2024, revealed