Photographer Captures Stunning Reaction Of Marmot, Wins Wildlife Photography Award

A dramatic image of a marmot standing frozen in fear on one foot as it notices a charging fox won Chinese photographer Bao Yongqing Wildlife Photographer of the Year Award.

The scene, which looks straight out of a meme, was taken on the slopes of China's Qilian Mountains in early spring. Bao was chosen from a list of candidates for the prestigious award that is given out annually by the Natural History Museum in London.

Bao, who had been observing the animals for some time said that the marmot had spotted the fox around an hour earlier and warned the other marmots to get underground.

The wily fox, however, hid and lay still making the marmots believe that he had gone. As soon as they came out in search of food, the fox dashed out from the hiding place, making the marmot react in the most amazing way.

Bao captured the moment in an instant with quick reflexes, an image that eventually won him the prestigious award.

"To have captured such a powerful interaction between a Tibetan fox and a marmot -- two species key to the ecology of this high-grassland region -- is extraordinary," Roz Kidman Fox, chair of the judging panel, said in a statement. "Photographically, it is quite simply the perfect moment."

"The expressive intensity of the postures holds you transfixed, and the thread of energy between the raised paws seems to hold the protagonists in perfect balance," Cox added.

Bao collected the award on Tuesday evening at the ceremony which was held at the London Museum.