
These stunning pictures capturing nature on the British Isles at its finest were among 300 incredible images of mammals shortlisted for a prestigious photography competition.

Leaping to victory was an amazing picture of a pine marten jumping through the trees in County Waterford, Ireland, with the man behind the shot winning the coveted crown of Mammal Photographer of the Year.

A haul of spectacular snaps of foxes and fawns, badgers and birds and hares and hedgehogs were narrowly beaten by the picture of the small animal, which was captured mid-leap against the backdrop of a night sky.

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Leaping to victory: A pine marten jumps between trees in County Waterford in this incredible picture, which won the top prize in the Mammal Society's photography competition

Outfoxed: This sleepy mammal looked like it had been up all night as it rested against a tree for a quick snooze

What's up, Doc? A rabbit appears to be contemplating its next move in this stunning photograph taken during a sunset in Longparish, Hampshire

Mouse hole: Steve Adams' picture, of a wood mouse burrowing in a pile of logs, was among the images shortlisted for the Mammal Society's awards

Nice to see you: Caroline McHardy took a close-up of a deer's eye for her competition entry, which was one of the 300 shortlisted images

The contest, organised by the Mammal Society, aimed to encourage appreciation for the many British species which are often overlooked but essential to the health of our habitats.

International photography judge Sophie Stafford said: 'Every year, the Mammal Society photo competition gets stronger and stronger.

'This year, we were treated to an impressive collection of eye-catching portraits, evocative scenes and thrilling behaviour, which just prove that the most beautiful and exciting mammals in the world live on our doorsteps.

'It was wonderful to see so many challenging species and creative photographic techniques tackled by entrants. Everyone who made it through to the judges' shortlist should be very proud.'

This photograph of an otter peeping above the surface of the water in a lake in Bedfordshire made the cut for the shortlist

Chilly feet: A roe deer leaps through the frozen fields of the Fenlands in Cambridgeshire as it tries to stay warm on a cold morning

Playful: Bottle nose dolphins throw themselves out of the water, putting on quite a display for a boat of tourists near the Farne Islands, Northumberland

Stuck in a rut: Two deer are pictured locked in combat in Richmond Park as they battle for the attention of females

I can see you: A badger stopped in its tracks for this photograph by Luke Millward, who was shortlisted for the annual competition

Sunbathing: A seal stops for a laze in the sun on a beach in Suffolk - and does not seem that fussed about having its photo taken

Cooling off: A red deer swims through a lake at Wollaton Park in Nottinghamshire in this entry by Steve Adams

The winning picture was taken by Maurice Flynn, 46, from Waterford City, Ireland, who used a camera trap and sat up all night waiting for the pine marten to appear.

Mr Flynn said: 'The picture I wanted to get was of them jumping or moving through the trees. They never came out in daylight so it had to be done at night.'

Wildlife garden expert Kate MacRae, who helped judge the contest, said it was a 'cracking image.'

She added: 'Most of us would be thrilled with a static picture of a pine marten, but the technical expertise and dedication to capture a perfectly exposed camera trap image such as this, is impressive. A cracking image that is testament to the dedication of the photographer.'

Winner: This picture of a red deer's silhouette in Richmond Park, Surrey, won the under-18s category at the Mammal Society's awards

Falmouth University student Katie Nethertcoat snapped this photo of a water shrew peeking through the tall grass

Hogging the limelight: A prickly hedgehog admires its reflection in a puddle in a garden in Corwen, Denbighshire, north Wales

This photograph of a rabbit in the small town of Sandy, Bedfordshire, was a close runner-up in the adult category

Branching out: A red squirrel perches on a log in the Highlands as it stops to peer curiously at photographer Lyle MacCalmont

Other winning images included a rabbit in green grass by Ben Andrews, from Bedfordshire, and Daniel Trim's shot of two fallow deer stags locked in combat as they battled during a rut in Richmond Park, Surrey.

Another picture shows an atmospheric image of a polecat by Richard Bowler, from Corwen in North Wales, whilst Ian Hull captured a heartwarming shot of a fox dozing by a tree.

Bottle nose dolphins are seen playing in front of a ship in an image by Nick Clayton, whilst a mountain hare sits in the snow in a picture by David Gibbon.

Young talent was also celebrated in the competition, with 16-year-old Kyle Moore, from Lowestoft, Sussex, winning an award for his enchanting photograph of a silhouette of a red deer hind, which was taken in Richmond Park.

Spooky: A red deer emerges from the darkness in this chilling image taken on the Ashton Court estate in Bristol

Grumpy bunny: A white mountain hare casts an evil glance as it is pictured hiding in the snow in the Cairngorm National Park

Richard Bowler got a special mention from the judges for this incredible photo of a polecat in his garden in morth Wales

Desolate landscape: A pair of deer trudge across the Ashton Court estate in Bristol as grey clouds form overhead

Seal of approval: The grey creature gazes into the camera as Luke Millward captured this image, which was shortlisted for the award

Light as a feather: A harvest mouse nibbles away as it balances on top of crops in this beautiful photograph

This stunning photo, which was taken by Elliot Hook, shows a water vole swimming through a lake in the Peak District

Ms MacRae said: 'This image stood out straight away. Beautifully composed, the silhouette of the slender doe stands framed by the ground and the foliage overhead.

'A difficult shot to expose correctly, this image captures the golden sunset perfectly and that moment when the deer paused listening. A super atmospheric and well composed image.'

Also making the judges' shortlist were photos of some of Britain's smallest mammals, including harvest mice, water shrews and wood mice.