Poached Egg with a Twist

Nicolas Remy's Image

Nicolas Remy (Australia) records the moment a crested hornshark snatches a Port Jackson shark egg for a meal.

Nicolas makes regular dives to document Port Jackson sharks.

Approaching from a distance, he spotted a young crested hornshark. It was holding a corkscrew-shaped object – a Port Jackson shark egg – in its mouth.

Nicolas wanted to take a photograph that was about the egg as much as the shark. Using a wide-angle lens and two low-power flashes, Nicolas watched as the hornshark squeezed the nutritious yolky meal from its distinctive packaging.

The shape of the Port Jackson shark egg allows it to be wedged securely into tight, well-hidden spaces. Despite this, up to 90% of these nutritious eggs are taken before they hatch, by crested hornsharks and other fish.


Behind the lens

Nicolas Remy

Nicolas Remy

Australia

Nicolas is a French-Australian freelance underwater photographer. He’s the founder of The Underwater Club, an online photography school and community with members in 18 countries. His images have won more than 40 international awards and have been widely published in print and digital media. Nicolas has authored dozens of articles for publications such as Scuba Diver Magazine, Plongez! Magazine and DivePhotoGuide, covering subjects like marine life, destination travel and photographic equipment reviews.

Image details

  • Sony α1
  • 28-60mm f4-5.6 lens
  • 1/80 at f13  •   ISO 100  •   Nauticam housing + Nauticam Wet Wide Lens 1B  •   2x Retra Flash Pro strobes
  • Cabbage Tree Bay, New South Wales, Australia
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