Bruno D'Amicis's Image

Bruno D’Amicis (Italy) is rewarded for his perseverance with a mosaic-like image of a Mediterranean monk seal.

Beneath the clifftop where Bruno lay hidden, a Mediterranean monk seal glided through the shallows before disappearing into a cave. Masked by the reflections on the water, the seal appears to be almost vanishing in front of our eyes - an apt metaphor given that the species is on the brink of extinction.

Working under permit and with the aim of raising awareness of this little-known mammal, Bruno reached the cliff before daylight. Lying on a tiny ledge, he monitored the seals on his camera screen so as not to disturb them.

Despite staying still for hours, Bruno only ever got the odd glimpse of this individual as it disappeared into a cave after foraging for fish, octopus and crustaceans.

This species is now one of the most endangered mammals on Earth due to historic hunting and human encroachment on its habitat. Mediterranean monk seals used to rest on open beaches, but due to disturbance most now retreat to and give birth in caves with sea entrances.