Battle of the giants, a flying dog and a very fishy romance: The stunning winning images of the Siena International Photo Awards

Gliding through the air showjumping dog Bagheera is captured as she leaps over the first hurdle. The breathtakingly crisp image was captured by Francesco Junior Mura and showed the 'unbreakable bond between human and dog' with the agility dog embodying 'trust, respect, and unity'

Gliding across the water, a grey-headed flying fox plunges into a cool pool, swiftly refreshing and quenching its thirst, as it laps water off its wet fur in mid-flight. Pictured by Douglas Gimesy at the Myuna Wetlands in Doveton, Victoria, Australia

Dubbed the 'Battle between Giants', photographer Valentino Morgante caught this dramatic to two bull elephants fighting in Nxai Nationa Park Botswana. 'Witnessing a battle between two bull elephants is an unforgettable experience. The sheer power displayed is similar to two heavyweight boxers battling in the ring, where every move is calculated and nothing is wasted', Valentino said

This incredible image of a mother and calf humpback whale interacting near the surface just off the coast of Tahiti's island was taken by Renee Capozzola. These whales migrate to the islands of French Polynesia all the way from Antarctica, to mate and give birth. Renee captured the scene with an over-under image to showcase both the whales and the dramatic scenery

A fishy romance: Ferenc Ifj. Lorincz caught this underwater snap of two carps appearing to kiss in the gloomy depths of a lake  in Slovakia 

'The Happy Turtle': A rare moment of harmony unfolds as a dragonfly gracefully lands on the nose of a turtle. Instead of seizing its prey, the turtle seems to enjoy the unexpected encounter, sharing a peaceful moment amidst the dim waters of the swamp in the Jazreel Valley. Pictured by Tzahi Finkelstein

In this haunting photo by Sarah Wouters an elephant keeper and his beloved companion are seen at the elephant cemetery in Ban Ta Klang village, Surin province, Thailand. Known as the 'elephant village,' nearly every household here nurtures one of the giant mammals, with locals supported by government funds for their care

This underwater image captures the feeding frenzy of a group of sea lions as they gorge on a school of sardines. From October to January, in the swirling blue waters rich in nutrients off the coast of Magdalena Bay, a mesmerizing event unfolds: predators of all kinds gather to join in the sardine hunt. The image was taken by Filippo Borghi

Dubbed 'Cold Waters', this photo by Igor Altuna was taken on the island of Hokkaido, Japan, capturing swans bathing in a sea on the verge of freezing. Hokkaido Japan 

Peekaboo! A blue benny is seen peeking through coral in Komodo, Indonesia. Photographer Jose Alejandro Alvarez said the fish are among his favourite to capture. 'Despite their small size (usually between one to three inches in length), they possess remarkable attitude, character, and courage. They are not only fascinating to observe but also delightful to capture through photography,' he wrote

On the peaks of the Simien Mountains in Ethiopia, a Gelada family gazes over the precipice. Against the backdrop, gathering clouds foreshadow an imminent storm during August's rainy season. The image was captured by Marco Gaiotti

A Boy and his horse: Captured in Andalusia, Spain, there's a saying: 'An Andalusian man without a horse is like a matador without a cape'. Horses are an integral part of the culture and daily life of this region. From a young age, children begin to familiarise themselves with these magnificent animals. Here, a boy soothes his horse amid the bustling festivities of La Línea in southern Andalusia. Pictured by Giedo Van Der Zwan

In another stunning underwater image an adult male agile frog, is seen likely taking a well-deserved rest after mating. Surrounding him are the masses of eggs. The photo, taken in Foreste Casentinesi National Park, Italy, was by Fabio Savini

Russian Sergey Gorshkov caught this moment in the Barguzinsky Nature Reserve, Russia, of nightlife in the Barguzin stable sheltering in a dead tree as temperatures plunged to minus 35 degrees

In a dramatic picture a man is captured standing with his hyena, as he gets ready for a show  in one of the small villages of the north-eastern Nigeria. 'He is a traditional storyteller, weaving a mesmerizing street circus that blends ancient mystique with the art of storytelling,' says Nigeria photographer Mauro De Bettio

Snipe Hawking In Ireland, falconers have developed a unique form of hunting known as 'snipe hawking'. This method involves the use of pointing dogs and the peregrine falcon, the world's fastest animal, to hunt the elusive snipe. This practice relies on Ireland's endangered bogs, highlighting the intricate balance between tradition and conservation. Picture by Jen Guyton

A Florida black bear walks past a 500-year-old cypress tree near Big Cypress National Preserve in Florida. Describing the scene, photographer Carlton Ward Jr said: 'I set up a camera trap here for a year, aiming to capture the wildlife that inhabits this remote South Florida swamp, which is submerged in water for at least half the year.'

In a riveting chase, a big fish pursues the small fish, both bursting out of the water in a dramatic spectacle, catching the egret by surprise. Describing the stunning snap. photographer Xiamen Xiaoping Lin said: 'As they defy the laws of nature, the egret watches with bewilderment, uncertain of the small fish's fate.'

The dangers beneath the waves a highlighted in dramatic fashion by Alvaro Herrero Lopez Beltran, who caught this blacktip reef shark gliding beneath the the crystal-clear waters of French Polynesia