2006: Behaviour: All Other Animals - Winner
Andre Seale (Brazil)
Turtle grooming
Pure bliss for a green turtle - a full-body cleanse and massage, courtesy of the local fish, whenever it turns up at the designated spot. Turtle Pinnacle, near Honokohau Harbour in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, boasts such a cleaning-station about 15 metres down. Sometimes there are several turtles hanging around waiting for service, and they rarely have to wait long. In this photo, yellow tang, goldring surgeonfish (the blue fish - endemic to the Hawaiian islands) and a saddleback wrasse (underneath - also found only in Hawaii) have nipped up from the reef to nibble off the algae growing on the turtle's shell and skin. 'It seems like a win-win situation for all,' says Andre, 'and certainly for this photographer'.
Nikon D100 with Nikkor 12-24mm lens; 1/80 sec at f8; Nexus Master housing, dual YS90DX strobes.
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Adult awards Snappers in synchrony Alexander Mustard
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