Bat guano blooming mold brought a prestigious award to the Hungarian nature photographer

Imre Potyó, a nature photographer, won the main prize at the GDT 2026 photo competition, becoming the first Hungarian to be named European Nature Photographer of the Year. His award-winning photo features bats in a closed mine in Börzsöny, surrounded by blooming fungi that grew from bat guano. The image captures the unique relationship between the bats and their environment, showcasing the beauty of nature. Potyó also secured second place with two other photos, while other Hungarian photographers received recognition as well. He previously won the Hungarian Nature Photography Grand Prize in 2022.