UPY 2025

UPY  Up and Coming - Commended
'Floating rest'
Irene Orozco

This image shows a behaviour I have seen regularly in the open ocean, boobies standing on turtles at the surface. But I had never before managed to capture it, because any movement in the water would either scare the bird or the turtle. On this particular day, as we were looking for bait balls offshore off the Baja’s Pacific Coast, when we came across this very calm turtle and bird who didn’t seem to be bothered with my presence. The sea was flat calm and visibility was great; things had finally aligned.

Judge's comment: This is a wow factor if ever I have seen one. I like the slight ripple which breaks up the surface. Being able to catch both the bird and the turtle in a split is excellent.
- Martin Edge