UPY Marelux Wide Angle - Runner Up
Andy Schmid
| « Previous | Back to 2023 Winners | Next » |
UPY Marelux Wide Angle - Runner Up
'Crowd Control'
Andy Schmid
A female orca swimming through a bait ball of herring, turning it into a donut. I've been travelling to Northern Norway for the 5 past winters to witness one of our planet's most spectacular wildlife events, the herring migration into the fjords which attracts large number of orcas and humpback whales. Wildlife photography is not just about skills, it's also about patience, perseverance, and being lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time. This winter it all came together on more than one occasion, allowing me to freedive on static bait balls over and over again, creating a series of of photos I had never imagined I would ever be able to create.
Judge's comment: Orcas are the ocean’s apex predator. Feeding on everything from sharks to whales. In Arctic Norway they target bait-balls of nutritious, egg-filled herring. The action is ephemeral and fast moving, the conditions some of the toughest for a photographer. Yet Andy has captured the perfect frame. Mouth open, prey in teeth, jaw dropping.
Alex Mustard
You can use the Prev/Next buttons, left and right cursors or swipe to go to the previous or next image
