UPY  British Waters Macro - Highly Commended}

UPY  British Waters Macro - Highly Commended
'A protective mother'
Saeed Rashid

While diving the Maerl beds in Fal estuary, Cornwall I saw a goby sitting in a clamshell. Unlike a lot of fish I had photographed that day, it seemed very territorial and didn't move away when I approached. It wasn't until I looked closely I could see it had a clutch of eggs it was clearly defending in it's beautiful, clamshell nest.

Judge's comment: Soft, delicate lighting emphasises the exquisite detail with instant eye contact well chosen depth of focus. The eggs complete the tale. Beautifully tender.
Peter Rowlands