UPY 2024

UPY  Up & Coming - Highly Commended
'The Parent Trap'
Andrew Zimmerman

When someone sees these fish for the first time, they are often reminded of discus, a beautiful and popular aquarium fish from the Amazon River basin. However, these are longear sunfish, a freshwater fish native to the United States and Mexico. In this image, two males are staking out nesting territory. Males will aggressively defend nests from neighbouring males and other intruders. After spawning, males will continue to guard their eggs and larvae for several weeks until the offspring are self-sufficient. These two males are getting off on the wrong fin, they picked out a nest site in front of a loaded 330 Conibear beaver trap! It’s not the safest nursery to start a family but, a wonderful backdrop and frame to photograph these two future fathers. Every year I look forward to spending time laying in a cool and clear stream on hot summer days, photographing these gorgeous fish.

Judge's comment: You just know there’s tension in the water here. A perfectly timed image reminiscent of a Cartier-Bresson street image with subtle lighting to highlight the subject colours without over lighting the overall scene. Highly engaging.
Peter Rowlands