UPY 2025

UPY  Behaviour - Highly Commended
'Embrace'
João Rodrigues

In the gloomy waters of a peculiar valley, a couple of Iberian ribbed newt (Pleurodeles waltl) swim among the vegetation in post mating embrace. I had waited 5 years to dive in the Sea of Minde, which only floods like this after extreme rains cause the underground rivers of the Aire and Candeeiros mountains to flood. Only then could I swim through the forest. This photograph was taken in a moment of pure chance. While documenting the submerged trees, I was surprised when this couple of animals emerged from a tangle of branches where it was camouflaged, to give me the opportunity to quickly adjust my settings and press my shutter button twice, until they disappeared in the shadows of dense vegetation. This photo was captured during an assignment for National Geographic Portugal.

Judge's comment: One of my favourite images from the contest. The atmosphere and light feel like a winter evening walk through the forest, but only when you notice the mating newts do you realise that the entire scene is underwater.
- Alex Mustard