Mice arguing in the subway: the bizarre photo that the public wanted as the winner of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 55

Sam Rowley photographed two mice competing for a crumb on the London Underground. The photo won the LUMIX People's Choice Award

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Due mice arguing in subway, a melee to get a crumb. The image is traveling around the world and is the winner of the photo contest held by the Natural History Museum in London. Sam Rowley is the winner of this year's LUMIX People's Choice Award, the prize awarded by the public and selected from over 48.000 images submitted to the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year. Awarded as the best of the 25 finalists, Rowley's photo is called “Station Squabble”.

The natural world portrayed in a decidedly urban context. This is not a lucky moment, captured by the author. Rowley lurked for five long nights, lying on the London Underground platform, hoping to capture the perfect moment. And his efforts have been rewarded by this original skit in which two mice come to the hands, or rather to the paws, for a crumb. A moment later the food winner runs away with the coveted loot.

“I am so happy to win this award. It is a lifelong dream to succeed in this competition in this way, with such a recognizable photo taken in such an everyday environment in my hometown "are the words of the photographer after the announcement of the victory.

Sam Rowley's image of the mice fighting for foodor it might seem trivial at first, but life for these little animals is brutal. Many have never seen daylight or felt grass under their paws. In the subway tunnels, animals fight for survival and learn to live with humans.

The winner of this year’s Lumix UK #WPYPeoplesChoice Award is Sam Rowley, with his well-timed portrait of two mice…

Posted by Natural History Museum, London on Wednesday, February 12, 2020

While some of us might turn up our noses at the sight of the rats in the subway, Sam found that some travelers didn't care. He tells:

“It really surprised me. Many confessed to having fun watching them run on the otherwise boring platform of the station ”.

“Sam's image offers a fascinating glimpse into how wildlife works in a human-dominated environment. The behavior of mice is shaped by our daily routine, the transport we use and the food we discard, ”said Sir Michael Dixon, director of the Natural History Museum.

Another 4 images were highly appreciated and awarded by the contest. It is about:

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