London’s Natural History Museum announces the 2015 Wildlife Photographer of the Year Awards. This year, Daniel Beltrá received two finalist awards for his photographs, Greenland #14, 2014 and Iceland #5, 2014!

Greenland #14, 2014 doesn’t depict the clean glacial sheet of white ice that we probably imagine. Instead, it is made up abstract lines and dark pockets of dust blown from the wind. These specks of black are made up of heat absorbing minerals that alter the density of the surface; eventually causing ribbons of teal blue meltwater.

Greenland #14, 2014 was taken above a section of western Greenland known as Ilulissat. It is approximately 220 miles north of the Arctic Circle.

In Iceland #5, 2014 you can see the effects of global warming through a river of vivid glacial meltwater. The colors show a heavy amount of sediment coming from grinding rocks underneath the glacier surface. The pieces of rock are crushed into a fine powder that when suspended in water they reveal a variety of colors in the sunlight.

Iceland #5, 2015 was taken above the 34 mile long Ytri-Rangá River.

Congratulations Daniel for recognition as a finalist in the 2015 Wildlife Photographer of the Year Awards! To see more pieces from his Greenland and Iceland series, please visit our website.