The winners of the International Aerial Photographer of the Year awards have been announced, featuring a diverse collection of images from photographers worldwide. The competition received 1,587 entries, which judges reviewed to select the top photographs showcasing nature and human endeavors from elevated perspectives.

Azim Khan Ronnie was awarded the top title for a photograph depicting thousands of Siberian seagulls in flight at Yamuna Ghat, India. Ronnie also submitted other notable images, including a scene of Hindu devotees gathered in Dhaka and a vibrant shot of red chilli pepper harvesting in Bangladesh.

Another winning image, "Dawn Net" by Chin Leong Teo, captures a fisherman's yellow net spread across the water. Teo's other contributions include aerial views of Bali's rice terraces, a solitary figure crossing a Tokyo intersection, and the Park Royal Hotel in Singapore.

Kah-Wai Lin secured third place with an image of Yilki horses galloping across a plateau in Cappadocia, Turkey, at sunset. IMAGE8

Vitaly Golovatyuk's photograph of a bird on a lake reflecting the sky, surrounded by red grass in Dongtai, China, was also recognized as a top submission. IMAGE9 The photograph of the year was handed to Vitaly Golovatyuk's capture of a bird sitting on the water of a clear lake reflecting the sky, surrounded by red grass, in Dongtai, China

Other featured photographs highlight diverse landscapes and scenes. Rhiannon Lawler captured a polar bear on an iceberg in East Greenland. IMAGE2 Ice see you: Taken by Rhiannon Lawler, a polar bear balances on the edge of an iceberg in East Greenland, using the height to scan the sea ice and test the wind Chengming Liu documented the green contours of California's Diablo Range after winter rains. IMAGE6 California's Diablo Range at its greenest after winter rains, highlighting smooth contours and flowing patterns, was taken by Chengming Liu Barbara Brown's work includes an aerial view of the Salt Works in Walvis Bay, Namibia. IMAGE1 Barbara Brown's aerial shot of Salt Works in Walvis Bay, Namibia Sanghamitra Sarkar's submission shows Hindu pilgrims gathered in a circular pattern. IMAGE3 Sanghamitra Sarkar's photo shows a gathering of Hindu pilgrims sitting in a circular pattern around a central litter carrying sacred footwear A. J. Rich submitted a photograph of the layered hills in Utah's Badlands. IMAGE4 The sharp, steep, and layered hills in the Badlands of Utah by A J Rich

Winners will have their photographs published in an annual awards book, with the overall winner receiving $5,000 and a trophy. The competition stipulated that the use of AI was strictly forbidden.