Arvicolinae Collection

Three Common Voles (Microtus arvalis) seeking shelter from hard wind during autumn storm on a pier at the Wadden Sea coast, Holwerd, Friesland, The Netherlands - Overall Winner

Muskrat -Ondatra zibethicus-, swimming, North Hesse, Hesse, Germany

White Stork -Ciconia ciconia- with captured vole, North Hesse, Hesse, Germany

Clethrionomys glareolus, bank vole
Plate from a collection of pencil sketches and watercolour drawings of British mammals c. 1890-1910 by Edward Adrian Wilson (1872-1912)

Athene noctua, little owl
Plate 37 from John Goulds The Birds of Great Britain, Vol. 1 (1873). Hand coloured lithograph

Arvicola melanogaster, water vole
Plate 44 from Recherches pour servir a l histoire naturelle des Mammifcres, Vols. 1-4, 1868-74, by Dr. Henri Milne-Edwards (1800-1885) & Dr. Alphonse Milne-Edwards (1835-1900)

Microtus arvalis orcadensis, Orkney vole
Plate from a collection of pencil sketches and watercolour drawings of British mammals c. 1890-1910 by Edward Adrian Wilson (1872-1912)

Arvicola terrestris, European water vole
Plate 206 from the Collection of Watercolour Drawings of British Vertebrates, 1830-1841, by William MacGillivray (1796-1851)

Microtus agrestis, field vole
Plate 214 from the Collection of Watercolour Drawings of British Vertebrates, 1830-1841, by William MacGillivray (1796-1851)

Neomys fodiens, Eurasian water shrew
Plate from a collection of pencil sketches and watercolour drawings of British mammals c. 1890-1910 by Edward Adrian Wilson (1872-1912)

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"Captivating Arvicolinae: A Glimpse into the World of Voles" In a stunning display of resilience, three Common Voles (Microtus arvalis) huddle together on a pier, seeking shelter from the harsh autumn storm battering the Wadden Sea coast in Holwerd, Friesland, The Netherlands. This captivating image has been crowned as the Overall Winner of Nature Photo of the Year 2022 and also emerged victorious in the Mammal category. Meanwhile, amidst tranquil waters in North Hesse, Germany, a Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) gracefully glides through its aquatic habitat. Its sleek form and effortless swimming skills are truly mesmerizing to behold. A White Stork (Ciconia ciconia), soaring high above North Hesse's landscape with remarkable elegance, clutches a captured vole tightly within its beak. This awe-inspiring sight showcases nature's intricate food chain dynamics and reminds us of the stork's predatory prowess. The world is diverse and enchanting. From Microtus agrestis -the field vole- scurrying across open fields to Clethrionomys glareolus -the bank vole- dashing through wooded areas with agility; each species possesses unique characteristics that contribute to their survival strategies. Even under cover of darkness, Athene noctua -the little owl- emerges as an enigmatic hunter. With piercing eyes and silent flight capabilities, it preys upon unsuspecting voles that roam beneath moonlit skies. Arvicola melanogaster -the water vole- finds solace near freshwater habitats while Arvicola terrestris -the European water vole- constructs elaborate burrows along riverbanks. These semi-aquatic creatures are perfectly adapted for life both on land and in water.