UPY 2025

UPY  Behaviour - Highly Commended
'Two courting eastern kelpfish'
Matty Smith

It was a remarkable day for a dive at The Solitary Islands when this picture was made. The ocean was flat, the sun warm and the water incredibly clear. The Solitaries are a biodiverse area where one can photograph tropical and temperate water species in a single dive. During this dive I had spent most of my time photographing green and hawksbill turtles that were grazing on the algae in the shallow water surrounding the island. Suddenly I noticed these two Eastern Kelpfish behaving quite oddly. Sensing something was about to happen I made my way over and as I did they began to chase each other up into the water column in a beautiful, dance like mating ritual. This they repeated several times and seemed totally oblivious to my presence. I managed to make several nice images before running low on air and had to return to our boat.

Judge's comment: Shallow waters have the richest plant growth and during judging I suspected that the cause of this behaviour was a disagreement between these kelpfish, with one asserting its authority, set against the territory there are disputing. But I learn from the photographer it is in fact a love story, set in a romantic pink and blue landscape! A great moment, either way. - Alex Mustard