Ingrid Kuster, Close Encounter (ANIMAL & NATURE 2025)

Whilst exploring a private nature reserve in Costa Rica, we came across a troop of squirrel monkeys. One monkey was quite close so I started photographing him. As I looked through the viewfinder, I realised the monkey wasn't alone on the tree branch and perched next to him was a green tree frog. The monkey appeared curious as to the other occupant on the branch and began to touch and squeeze the frog with one hand and then both hands. After a short period of time playing with it, the monkey swung off into nearby trees leaving what appeared to be a stunned tree frog on the branch.

Images have been resized for web display, which may cause some loss of image quality. Note: Original high-resolution images are used for judging.