UPY 2025

UPY  Up & Coming - Highly Commended
'Motherhood'
Kat Zhou

This photo depicts a southern right whale calf and its mother slowly swimming by in the bay the calf was born in. After giving birth, the mothers will remain in this bay for many months without feeding, nursing their calves until they are strong enough to migrate to their summer feeding grounds further south. It was a magical experience to get to share time in the water with these animals. Though they move slowly and calmly, the calves are incredibly curious, and they would sometimes circle around us in the water for hours! Named so because they were the “right” whales to hunt, right whales were almost hunted to extinction by whalers. Though their recovery is still highly dependent on the health of the ocean, it was a breath of fresh air to be surrounded by hundreds of mother-calf pairs in this bay. Photo taken under Argentinian government permit.

Named so because they were the “right” whales to hunt, right whales were almost hunted to extinction by whalers. Though their recovery is still highly dependent on the health of the ocean, it was a breath of fresh air to be surrounded by hundreds of mother-calf pairs in this bay.

Photo taken under Argentinian government permit.

Judge's comment: What a nice encounter! The composition is also perfect! I have the feeling though, that there is still potential for more post production, but nevertheless a very nice image and well executed.
Tobias Friedrich