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2007: In Praise of Plants and Fungi - Highly Commended

Charlene Dejori Enlarge image Giant Amazon display

Charlene Dejori (United States)

Giant Amazon display

'I was searching for the illusive bare-faced ibis, when I discovered this inland lake in Brazil's northern Pantanal. It was covered in huge lily leaves. I tried to capture the intensity of the scene as a panorama. The experience reminded me that the magnet for a wildlife photographer is not just the final image, but the exhilaration of discovery.' The Amazon water lily has the largest leaves of any water lily in the world. Not only can they be nearly three metres in diameter, longer than an adult human lying down, their stalks can also be up to eight metres long. Native to Central and South America, the lilies produce brilliant white flowers and have a wonderful sweet smell.

Nikon D200 + 75-300mm lens; 1/125 sec at f16 (-1.5 exposure compensation); ISO 1000.

This photograph is available to buy as a print.

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