UPY 2025

UPY 2018 British Waters Wide Angle - Highly Commended
'Fried Egg Anemones at 'Pixie Gardens''
Paul Kay

Last year we spent two weeks diving out of Doune in Knoydart and carried out many of our dives in Lochs Nevis and Hourn. On one dive, in Loch Hourn, we were working our way up rocky ledges whose shallow vertical faces were covered with masses of brittlestars and plumose anemones. Amongst them was this fissure with an absolute abundance of fried egg anemones cascading down it. All were fully open with their delicate tentacles extended and their orange discs displayed. Patches of pink encrusting algae below them added colour too. Where space allowed writhing brittlestars added textural detail into a quite enchanting scene. The dive site is rather aptly known as ‘Pixie Gardens’. As I was using an entirely new camera type and system with wide angle for the first time on this trip I was more than happy with the results.

Judge's comment: We're always keen to celebrate all genres of UK wide angle in this category, and Paul's scenic shot shows off the colour and richness of British marine life perfectly.
Alex Mustard