Steven Johnson's Image

Steven Johnson (USA) focuses on a clump of spotted salamander eggs resting on a bed of sphagnum moss in a vernal pool.

Highlighting the beauty and fragility of these underwater worlds is important to Steven. To create his split-level image, he thoroughly researched lenses and lighting beforehand and then took care and skill not to disturb the sediments or animals in this beautiful micro underwater world.

As the pale blue eggs develop, so do the algae within them, turning them green. The algae actually live inside the embryos providing them with extra oxygen - the only known case of this in a vertebrate animal.

Shallow seasonal pools make ideal amphibian nurseries because of the absence of predators such as fish. But development and climate change are reducing the number of suitable salamander habitats. On top of this, less predictable spring rains could mean that pools dry out before the young salamanders can fully develop.