Natural History Museum Wildlife Photographer of the Year's incredible winning images

The winners of this year's Natural History Museum Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition have been making a buzz with some stunning shots of nature at its finest.

First spot in the 'Behaviour, invertebrates' category went to Karine Aigner from the US, who captured a ball of huddled cactus bees spinning over hot sand at her southern Texas ranch.

All except one of the bees in the pic aboce are males, who are fighting with intent on mating with the single female at the centre.

Winner of the Photojournalism category went to Brent Stirton for his poignant shot of the end of a much-loved mountain gorilla's life in the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Ndakasi's passing by Brent Stirton, South Africa. Winner, Photojournalism (Wildlife Photographer of the Year)

The image, titled 'Ndakasi's passing', shows her laying in the arms of her rescuer and caregiver of 13 years, ranger Andre Bauma.

In the 'Natural Artistry' category, Junji Takasago took first place with his 'Heavenly Flamingos', showing a flock of Chilean flamingoes wading in the shallows as pillowy clouds overhead are perfectly reflected in the water.

The dying lake by Daniel Núñez, Guatemala. Winner, Wetlands - The Bigger Picture (Wildlife Photographer of the Year)

Heavenly flamingos by Junji Takasago, Japan. Winner, Natural Artistry (Wildlife Photographer of the Year)

Meanwhile 'The Bat-Snatcher' by Fernando Constantino Martinez Belmar took top spot in the 'Behaviour, Animals and Reptiles' category, with his shot of a Yucatan rat snake devouring a bat.

Daniel Nunez, of Guatemala, used a drone to capture 'The Dying Lake' showing a contrast between the forest and the algal growth on Lake Amatitlan for his winning shot in the 'Bigger Picture' category.

The bat-snatcher by Fernando Constantino Martínez Belmar, Mexico - Winner, Behaviour: Amphibians and Reptiles (Wildlife Photographer of the Year)

Spectacled bear’s slim outlook by Daniel Mideros, Ecuador, was Winner in the Animals in their Environment category (Wildlife Photographer of the Year)

While Daniel Mideros took a heartbreaking image of an unusually slim bear struggling amid a disappearing habitat in Quito, Ecuador, taking first place in the 'Animals in their Environment' category.