In early January 2010, Florida was in the grip of an exceptionally cold snap.
Manatees can't survive when water temperatures fall below 18˚C (65˚F), and in winter, many depend on warm river springs or, as here, cluster around the tepid water discharged from power plants along the coast. 'I chartered a helicopter,' says Michael, 'and used a wide-angle lens to reveal the industrial nature of the winter habitat of some of Florida's manatees,' in this case, Riviera Beach in Palm Beach County - a hugely important site for them. Such a concentration of these giant marine herbivores belies the fact that the species is endangered. A record 430 died of cold that winter.
USA / Brazil
Michael is an award-winning photographer and author specialising in marine wildlife and environmental issues. For the last 25 years he has travelled extensively, photographing diverse aquatic animals and habitats and humanity's impact on them. His images have appeared in many publications including BBC Wildlife, National Geographic Magazine and The New York Times.
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