UPY 2025

UPY  Behaviour - Commended
'Giants of the Deep'
Jonas Beyer

In the vast blue depths, an extraordinary moment unfolds as a humpback whale dives into a frenzy of fish, feeding with powerful grace, while an orca glides nearby. These two ocean giants, each a master of its own survival strategy, share the same waters yet pursue entirely different paths. The humpback, a filter feeder, expands its massive jaws to engulf thousands of fish in one gulp, while the orca, a keen and agile predator, remains alert and observant. This rare encounter highlights the complexity and wonder of the ocean’s ecosystems, where creatures coexist in a delicate balance of power and purpose.

Judge's comment: Wow, what a moment ! This perspective and encounter is truly unique and amazing ! To have both, an Orca and a Humpback whale, feeding on the same herrings is truly amazing. In these situations it is very hard to get the right composition, but if the image would have been vertical and the head of the Orca a bit lighter, it could have placed even higher.

Tobias Friedrich