2007: Underwater Worlds - Specially Commended
Paul Nicklen (Canada)
The mysterious narwhal
'I pictured this group at the ice edge in Canada's Lancaster Sound. As one approached, it released a stream of bubbles, possibly as some form of communication. After a few seconds they were gone. I had been pursuing this shot for years. So I just smiled in my snorkel mask knowing my efforts had paid off.' Narwhals have remarkable tusks. When a male reaches about one, its left incisor starts to spiral out, growing up to three metres long. It may be used in fights - females rarely have them - or to detect changes in the water. As they live mainly in Arctic waters, they are not seen very often to study so no one really knows.
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II + Canon 16-35mm f2.8 lens; 1/60 sec at f8; Seacam underwater housing.
View other winners in this category
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Adult awards Giant feast Felipe Barrio
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Adult awards Teeth exposure Paul Nicklen
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Adult awards Fish roundup Alec Connah
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Adult awards Goliath Douglas David Seifert
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Adult awards Big fish, little fish Len Deeley
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Adult awards Red-lips Patrick Weir
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Adult awards Love of a leopard seal Paul Nicklen
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