| Back to 2026 Winners | - Next |
UPY 2026 Wide Angle - Winner
'Happy Baby'
Cecile Gabillon Barats
As a tour leader and photographer in Dominica, I was fortunate to experience a truly magical encounter with a curious juvenile sperm whale. We entered the water at a respectful distance alongside the mother and her calf, watching as the mother prepared to dive in search of food, leaving her youngster at the surface. Almost immediately, the calf spun around and approached us, coming remarkably close, mouth wide open to reveal his emerging teeth, rolling playfully upside down. It seemed he was eager to interact. We could clearly see a chunk of squid held in his jaw and the many scars already etched into his skin. Over the years, I’ve photographed sperm whales countless times for documentaries and a feature film, but this unforgettable moment will always hold a special place in my heart. Looking back at the encounter, it’s tempting to believe he was smiling—and perhaps even about to give us a cheeky wink!
Judge's comment: The curiosity and exuberance of youth bursts out of this photo connecting us with one of our planet’s most magnificent species. Sperm whales live strange and secret lives, diving deep into the ocean’s interior, but we now know that when they are young they can be full of mischief.
Alex Mustard
You can use the Prev/Next buttons or left and right cursors to go to the previous or next image.
