Name: Imre Potyó
Picture title: December moth
Category: Other animals
Nationality: Hungary
Occupation: I’m an environmental educator in The Danube-Ipoly National Park, Hungary.
Technical information
Camera: Nikon D7200
Lens: Tamron 60mm f2 macro lens
EXIF: 1/160 sec at f22 • ISO 100
Accessories: 2x flash and flashlight
WINNER CATEGORY OTHER ANIMALS
Imre Potyó | December moth
Name: Imre Potyó
Picture title: December moth
Category: Other animals
Nationality: Hungary
Occupation: I’m an environmental educator in The Danube-Ipoly National Park, Hungary.
Technical information
Camera: Nikon D7200
Lens: Tamron 60mm f2 macro lens
EXIF: 1/160 sec at f22 • ISO 100
Accessories: 2x flash and flashlight
Imre Potyó says:
We can find mushrooms not only in autumn, but some of them – for example, this antler-shaped fungus – also turn up in winter. The top of the 3-5 cm tall mushroom (Xylaria hypoxylon) branches multiple times, just like antlers. I have been taking photographs of spore clouds for 9 years. My picture ’December Moth’ was taken in last November in Börzsöny hill, Hungary. On a cold evening, I photographed this beautiful bouquet in flash backlight, when after dark – at only 1-2 degrees – December moth (Poecilocampa populi) suddenly fluttered around me in the litter. They just woke up and landed near my equipment and then on top of an antler-shaped fungus. Flashes flashed and he was walking and flapping his wings on the antler formations in backlight. The spores are spread by the currents, and from these, reaching further, new mushrooms can grow. These are unforgettable and tense moments for me. I believe that we can draw attention to the natural beauties with our impressive photos.
Imre Potyó
Hungary
Imre is a scientific researcher who took up photography in 2007. He has received several awards, including Hungary’s Nature Photographer of the Year in both 2018 and 2020. As an environmental scientist, his work centers on popular scientific activities and attitude formation. Working for Hungary’s Danube-Ipoly National Park Directorate, he also gives lectures, guided nature walks, and photography tours. As an environmental scientist by profession, Imre considers popular scientific activities and attitude formation to be his mission. He regularly presents his novel adventures and images in the form of lectures and articles both printed and online to professional photographers, scientists, and laypersons. As an employee of the Danube-Ipoly National Park Directorate, he gives lectures and guides nature photography and nature tours at the visitor center of Királyrét (Börzsöny Hill, Hungary).