In this video, an engineer / maker shadows a group of marine scientists and builds them things that helps the scientists see deeper into the world of sperm whales and other deep sea research
I always feel like no matter how many times I see a whale, I am always joyful; they are so majestic
In this video, an engineer / maker shadows a group of marine scientists and builds them things that helps the scientists see deeper into the world of sperm whales and other deep sea research
I always feel like no matter how many times I see a whale, I am always joyful; they are so majestic
Winner – macro: Liftoff
‘Vertical migrations are some of the most remarkable in the world. Billions of animals hide in deep waters and then travel to the surface at night to feed under the cover of darkness. This paper nautilus hitched a ride on a passing jellyfish – a truly unique and magical encounter on one of the world’s greatest vertical currents.’ Lembeh Strait, North Sulawesi, Indonesia.
Photograph: Talia Greis
Finalist – aerial: The Chase
‘I’m fascinated by interspecies interactions. I question: is it just social interaction or are these encounters driven by deeper connections, communication, or even cooperation? These two bottlenose dolphins were riding the humpback’s wake then swimming to its eye and pausing. It was like a reunion of old friends in a fleeting moment.’ Nyangbul country, Lennox Head, New South Wales.
Photograph: Craig Parry
On the joys of whales, lumpfish, the ocean:
I discovered something delightful this year. I have sea legs. Perhaps because I come from an island, and I have never lived far from a sea. My idea of ‘home’ is ‘small and annoying cities by the sea’.
I am never sea sick.
I know how to manipulate my body on a boat.
I know when to sit at the hull, and when to avoid it.
I have a special technique for stabilizing myself on the side of the boat while something exciting is happening in the distance.
Lately, I have learned: in which direction I should point my camera, on a wildly unstable boat, just sensing and hearing the sound and huff of a whale spout right as it happens.
The smell of whale breath in the air: like broccoli, and brussel sprouts, and anchovies, all at once.
I laugh too much at stories about whale poop, whale genital parasites. I am surrounded by people who say things to me like ‘I discovered that male lumpfish can have pink blood’, as matter of factly as describing what they’d just had for lunch.
I participate in speculation about why whales slap their pectoral fins. Nobody knows for sure, but it is fun to imagine.
Some days, I am surrounded by so many whales, whale spouts, whale flukes, that I don’t know where I should look.
I see specific whales and dolphins and I know some of their names. I was happy to learn that a humpback calf I had seen in May now had a name (Mr Magic).
I point out specific whales to friends and say; that one is Pepper. That one is Little Dimple. I’m not a marine biologist but I listen to every word from naturalists and marine biologists about each of the creatures in our backyard.
Some spotted a whale breaching. The captain (who calls himself Only Fins), floors it, so that I can get this photo.
Going out on a small boat regularly to see whales, and soon, orcas, was the pillar of my mental health I didn’t know I needed.
I wish I can go back in time and tell the younger version of me: one day; you will know many whales, some of them by name.
On the joys of whales, lumpfish, the ocean:
I discovered something delightful this year. I have sea legs. Perhaps because I come from an island, and I have never lived far from a sea. My idea of ‘home’ is ‘small and annoying cities by the sea’.
I am never sea sick.
I know how to manipulate my body on a boat.
I know when to sit at the hull, and when to avoid it.
I have a special technique for stabilizing myself on the side of the boat while something exciting is happening in the distance.
Lately, I have learned: in which direction I should point my camera, on a wildly unstable boat, just sensing and hearing the sound and huff of a whale spout right as it happens.
The smell of whale breath in the air: like broccoli, and brussel sprouts, and anchovies, all at once.
I laugh too much at stories about whale poop, whale genital parasites. I am surrounded by people who say things to me like ‘I discovered that male lumpfish can have pink blood’, as matter of factly as describing what they’d just had for lunch.
I participate in speculation about why whales slap their pectoral fins. Nobody knows for sure, but it is fun to imagine.
Some days, I am surrounded by so many whales, whale spouts, whale flukes, that I don’t know where I should look.
I see specific whales and dolphins and I know some of their names. I was happy to learn that a humpback calf I had seen in May now had a name (Mr Magic).
I point out specific whales to friends and say; that one is Pepper. That one is Little Dimple. I’m not a marine biologist but I listen to every word from naturalists and marine biologists about each of the creatures in our backyard.
Some spotted a whale breaching. The captain (who calls himself Only Fins), floors it, so that I can get this photo.
Going out on a small boat regularly to see whales, and soon, orcas, was the pillar of my mental health I didn’t know I needed.
I wish I can go back in time and tell the younger version of me: one day; you will know many whales, some of them by name.
Pacific white-sided dolphins. They were moving so fast!
Pacific white-sided dolphins. They were moving so fast!
What's better than a humpback whale?
Two humpback whales
Humpback whale breaching!
What's better than a humpback whale?
Two humpback whales
Humpback whale breaching!
I don’t consider myself a ‘nature photographer’ but I figure if I brute force it (by going to look at whales a lot) I would eventually get a few cool shots. Statistics!
Can’t wait to see this on a computer (still on a boat)
Blue whales are going quiet and scientists say it’s a warning sign.
Ocean heat waves and noise pollution are silencing the ocean’s largest singers. Does saving the ocean start with hearing it?
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