UPY 2025

UPY  British Waters Macro - Highly Commended
'It's a fish-eat-fish world'
Cathy Lewis

I was photographing this Long-spined sea scorpion (Taurulus bubalis) in Loch Creran in the Scottish Highlands. It was perfectly camouflaged against the pink coralline algae covering the gravelly sea bed. Surrounding it were dozens of Painted gobies (Pomatoschistus pictus) hopping around picking up tiny particles from the substrate, and seemingly oblivious to the danger lurking in their midst. One got too close and, quick as a flash, the scorpion fish opened its cavernous mouth and sucked the goby in. I’m not sure who was more surprised, the goby or me!

Judge's comment: Perfect catch, both for the scorpionfish and the photographer. Had the background been handled slightly better, during this fleeting opportunity, this could have been our top shot.
Alex Mustard