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UPY 2026 Compact - Highly Commended
'Night drifters'
Daniel Halmi
After drifting in the darkness for some time while watching tiny critters swim past, I noticed a larger shape moving slowly through the blackwater. As I got closer, I realised it was a box jellyfish without tentacles, which made it easier to approach. After a few test shots, the jellyfish turned and revealed a juvenile female paper nautilus riding on top of it. In that moment, excitement was an understatement of how I felt. I had never heard of a living paper nautilus being seen in the Gulf of Thailand before. This encounter is believed to be the first photographic record of a living paper nautilus in this region. A simple reminder of the vast diversity of our oceans.
Judge's comment: Loaded is the only word to describe this jelly, with two fish inside, two fish outside and a large female argonaut! We really appreciated the wider perspective of this image.
Alex Mustard
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