2012: Underwater Worlds - Commended
Jordi Chias (Spain)
Turtle gem
Armeñime, a small cove off the south coast of Tenerife, is a hotspot for green sea turtles. They forage there on the plentiful seagrass and are used to divers. Jordi cruised with this one in the shallow, gin-clear water over black volcanic sand. ‘The dazzling colours, symmetry and textured patterns were mesmerising,’ says Jordi, ‘and I was able to compose a picture to show just how beautiful this marine treasure is.’ Like the other seven species of sea turtles, the green sea turtle is endangered, with populations declining worldwide. The many threats include habitat degradation, building development on their breeding beaches, ingestion of rubbish such as plastics and entanglement in fishing gear.
Canon EOS 7D + Tokina 10-17mm lens at 10mm; 1/80 sec at f11; ISO 160; custom-made housing; two Inon flashes.
View other winners in this category
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Winner Bubble-jetting emperors Paul Nicklen
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Runner-up Blast-off Paul Nicklen
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Specially Commended Evening rays Claudio Gazzaroli
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Commended Midnight feast Thomas P Peschak
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Commended The lion pack David Hall
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