The photograph captures a tense wildlife interaction between a griffon vulture and a golden jackal in the mountains of Bulgaria, has been shortlisted for the LCE Photographer of the Year 2026 Awards – and it could be one of the competition's standout winners.
Photographer Tim Munsey froze a dramatic, split-second moment as the vulture asserted dominance over the jackal.
The scale and power of the vulture, contrasted with the jackal's numble reaction, make this image a striking example of wildlife photography at its finest.
Finalist in the category: Wildlife
Naughty Jackal by Tim Munsey
Tech info
Gear: Sony A9 III + FE 600mm F4 GM OSS
Exposure: 1/500 sec, f/4, ISO 5000
Munsey gives shooting insights: "A griffonvulture scolds a golden jackal high in the mountains of Bulgaria. Taken at the break of dawn with a Sony A9M3 and 600mm f/4, low light, low shutter speed (1/500th), enough speed to capture detail but blur the strike motion.
"The area is being used as part of a conservation project to reintroduce black vultures. The food given out attracts other species, hence this meeting of species. The jackal leaves unharmed. I like the way the image shows the impressive size of the vulture."
Why it could win
1. Extraordinary behavioral moment
The photo freezes a dramatic confrontation between a griffon vulture and a golden jackal competing for food. Capturing such a rare interspecies interaction requires both patience and perfect timing.
2. Powerful visual drama and tension
The vulture's wings are fully spread as it strikes downward, creating a sense of dominance and imminent impact. The jackal's defensive posture intensifies the narrative, turning the image into a moment of raw wildlife tension.
3. Strong composition and sense of scale
The framing highlights the enormous wingspan and presence of the culture compared with the jackal. This visual contrast immediately communicates the power imbalance between the two animals.
4. Conservation and ecological storytelling
Taking at a feeding site connected to culture conservation efforts, the image reveals how restoration projects influence wildlife behavior. It goes beyond aesthetics by documenting real ecological interactions with a recovering ecosystem.
Update
Naughty Jackal didn't take the top spot in the Wildlife category at the LCE Photographer of the Year competition.
At the live awards ceremony at The Photography & Video Show 2026, it faced strong competition, including Munch by Karen Blow and Fighting Foxes in the Rain by Sophia Spurgin.
The category win went to Sophia Spurgin. She was also awarded the LCE Photographer of the Year title with her image Fish eyes.
To discover more winning images, visit the LCE POTY website.
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