In Photos: A Layer of Crystal-Clear Ice and the Andes Mountain

Shortlisted, adults category: Female Slowworm by Margret Powell-Joss, Oban, Scotland.

“I was delighted to find slowworms on my then new property four years ago. This prime female in my organic compost heap shows that they continue to thrive – despite a cat’s presence on their patch.”
Photograph: Margret Powell/NERC Science photo competition