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Jaime Culebras's Image
The moon shone bright over the Tiputini River, making it easy for Jaime to find his way as he searched for nocturnal wildlife. A huge smooth-sided toad was clambering and hopping along the river bank. Eventually the toad paused to rest, and Jaime noticed its belly, speckled with white spots ‘like stars in the sky’.
Yasuní National Park is one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth, with 150 different species of amphibians alone. Smooth-sided toads can look after themselves, actively squirting a toxin from glands around their shoulders. Their paradise, however, is increasingly under threat – new oil reserves have recently been found below the surface.
Behind the lens
Jaime Culebras
Spain
Jaime has a bachelor’s in biology, an MSc in environmental education and an MSc in biodiversity and conservation of tropical areas. He’s been living in Ecuador for more than nine years, where he works as a reptile and amphibian researcher and nature photographer. Jaime has won numerous photography and conservation awards.
Image details
- Canon 6D
- Sigma 24mm lens
- 30 sec at f4 and f16 • ISO 500 • two Yongnuo Speedlite flashes • softbox
- Yasuní National Park, Ecuador
Copyright in WPY competition photographs remains the property of the respective photographers. You may not copy, share, reproduce or republish the photographs except as expressly permitted by copyright law. For media image usage enquiries, please contact us.
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