UPY 2025

UPY 2018 Portrait - Highly Commended
'A reflective green turtle hatchling'
Matt Curnock

This green turtle (Chelonia mydas) hatchling was photographed in the world’s first turtle health research facility, 'The Caraplace', at James Cook University in Townsville, Australia. The facility caters for the needs of turtles under near-natural conditions and enables researchers to study turtle health up close, to better understand the management of diseases and the environmental conditions that affect turtle populations globally. Photographed under carefully controlled conditions, this healthy hatchling was playful and inquisitive, frequently approaching and nudging the camera, myself, and other objects in its temporary home. When relaxing at the surface, hatchlings will tuck their front flippers 'behind their back' – changing their silhouetted shape from below and potentially reducing the likelihood of being noticed by predators. It was a wonderful opportunity to observe and photograph such a beautiful creature this closely, while learning about the research and efforts to protect marine turtle populations facing global environmental change.

Judge's comment: Not withstanding where and how this was taken, you have captured a beautiful portrait of this green turtle. The eyes are particularly strong. Very well photographed. Martin Edge