UPY 2025

UPY  British Waters Macro - Third
'Companion'
Ryan Stalker

The sea was choppy to rough and there were rafts of seaweed floating just offshore in Chesil Cove. These rafts of weed can bring travellers from far away or from just down the coast and are always worth investigating. I snorkelled out to them to investigate what was there. To my surprise the rafts had many of these pipefish within it as well as other species. These two at only about 50mm long just wouldn't leave each other alone. One of them clinging to a piece of floating bootlace weed whilst the other securely holds onto its companions neck. The image is taken from below and is looking up towards the surface with the fluffy white clouds in the background. After many failed attempts at different angles the shot from below makes them stand out with the beautiful interaction between the two.

The image is taken from below and is looking up towards the surface with the fluffy white clouds in the background. After many failed attempts at different angles the shot from below makes them stand out with the beautiful interaction between the two.

Judge's comment: Graphic and tender delicacy complimented by a contrasting but unobtrusive background. All words I would never have used about a British macro image just a few years ago. I think we’ve come a long way recently.
Peter Rowlands