Green, Lean and Rarely Seen

Filippo Carugati's Image

Filippo Carugati (Italy) notices a broadnosed pipefish mimicking the swaying seagrass.

Filippo planned to photograph a broadnosed pipefish to pass the time during a decompression stop while diving.

But with very little air left in his tank, he could spend only a few moments photographing this master of disguise.

Pipefish mimic not only the form and colour of the seagrass, but also the way it sways in the currents.

The Marine Protected Area Isola di Ustica covers 15,000 hectares (37,000 acres). The seagrass meadows found there support many species of fish.

Behind the lens

Filippo Carugati

Filippo Carugati

Italy

Filippo has always been fascinated by animals and took a BSc in natural sciences in Milan followed by a MSc in the evolution of animal and human behaviour at the University of Turin. Now a PhD student, his research concerns multimodal communication in different primate species. He’s always viewed photography as a tool to merge his scientific curiosity with a personal and artistic perspective, with the aim of sharing the extreme beauty of the natural world and narrating untold stories about wild areas.

Image details

  • Canon EOS 7D Mark II
  • 8-15mm f4 lens
  • 1/125 at f16  •   ISO 640  •   Subal housing  •   2x Sea & Sea flashes
  • Punta Falconiera, Ustica, Sicily, Italy
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