UPY 2024

UPY  Behaviour - Highly Commended
'A Fever of Cownose Rays'
Alex Kydd

A rare encounter with a fever of cownose rays on the Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia. This was a once in a lifetime encounter with a species that is rarely documented in this region. We unexpectedly came across the rays whilst searching for whale sharks. The rays were spiralling up and down the water column from the surface to 20 meters for a brief moment until they disappeared into the deep. The images were taken whilst freediving to approximately 6 metres. The rays were circling and rubbing together in a behaviour that is still not clearly understood. It may have been possible mating or a social behaviour. The exact species of ray is still debated, it is either Rhinoptera javanica or Rhinoptera neglecta.

Judge's comment: A top down camera angle on the rays has captured the behaviour perfectly. The balance of all four sides keeps the eye of the viewer contained within frame. It’s not too tight either,
just the right amount of space to admire the spectacle.
- Alex Mustard