UPY 2025

UPY 2018 British Waters Compact - Commended
'Pike Patrol'
Mark Launchbury

This image was taken at my local dive site Dosthill Quarry.The pike are a regular sighting , but a very unpredictable fish, Often found hovering amongst the weeds motionless , stalking their prey or hanging around inside the wreck attractions such as an aircraft cockpit, or decaying vehicles. On many occasions you can spot them in the distance cruising along effortlessly but as you try to approach they waft their fins and dart away. On this occasion I remained still and observed this fish from a distance and luckily enough the pike slowly swam right towards me enabling me to capture a great close up shot of this freshwater predator.

Judge's comment: There is much going on in this image which goes along way in order to keep the eye of the viewer within the picture frame. The vertical line of the pike is set off with the reeds beside it and the eye is drawn to the surface texture at top left. To top it all, there is just enough space for the pike to swim into. Very well balanced and thought out with much depth. Martin Edge