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UPY 2026 Wide Angle - Highly Commended
'Mobula Rays Assemble'
Nicolas Hahn
A fever of mobula rays travels through the waters of Baja California Sur, Mexico. These spectacular aggregations are by far the largest ray aggregations in the world and one of the ocean’s great wonders. Mobula rays are protected in Mexico, and in 2025 they were uplisted to CITES Appendix I, the highest level of protection, which prohibits all international commercial trade in them and products derived from them. Despite this, they continue to face multiple threats, especially fisheries bycatch.
Mobulas have been photographed extensively. Attempting to capture a fresh perspective, I anticipated the mobulas’ general direction of travel, dove down, and lay on the sandy seabed before they could notice me. The lack of movement helped, as the mobulas were not disturbed and swam directly above. Using strobes, I lit their underbellies and waited for the fever to pass over me.
Judge's comment: Great shot of these huge school of mobulas which is everything but easy to do ! Especially in a rare seen perspective from below and having the right amount of light distributed on all mobulas that are closer and further away is a masterclass! Well done!
Tobias Friedrich
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