UPY 2025

UPY  Wide Angle - Highly Commended
'Flight in the Golden Forest'
Kate Vylet

Cormorants are masters of air and water, capable of flying both above and below the kelp forest. Propelled by powerful finned feet, they're also incredibly agile, making them a challenge to photograph as they zoom through arches of algae to hunt fish. It was a beautiful winter day in Monterey Bay, and the first test dive with my upgraded camera rig. I spent most of my bottom time fumbling with the controls and getting acquainted with the new system, snapping haplessly at kelp and sunbeams. Suddenly a dark flash caught my eye - a Brandt's cormorant had dove down just to the side of me. We were equally surprised to see each other, and I caught this frame as she buzzed by and into the kelp forest. While the shot was all luck, for me it captured the seabird in her element - a feathered torpedo in the golden forest.

Judge's comment: A comparatively unusual subject perfectly timed and lit, framed by golden kelp fronds with the sunburst not too distracting and providing lovely rays. Lovely.

Peter Rowlands