UPY 2025

UPY  Behaviour - Highly Commended
'Entwined in Blue'
Yazid Shaari

Ascending from my first dive of the day, I encountered an astonishing sight—two Arabian Gulf sea snakes intertwined in an intricate dance. Fate had placed me in the right moment to witness this rarely seen mating ritual, their bodies coiling and gliding in perfect harmony beneath the water’s surface. The seamless flow of their movements, set against the endless blue, created a spectacle both captivating and surreal. Moments like these are a testament to the ocean’s endless wonders, unfolding unexpectedly for those who venture into it with curiosity and patience.

Judge's comment: What a nice encounter and witness of behavior. The snakes are perfectly framed against the water surface and technically on a very high level as it's crisp sharp. We would have wished that the second snake would also look into the image, but of course the situation not always gives you the perfect shot.

Tobias Friedrich