Life Underwater, Winner: “Migrating Tadpoles” by Shane Gross
The California Academy of Sciences has announced BigPicture Photography Competition Winnerscelebrates stunning images from the natural world. Now in its 11th year, the competition is judged by a panel of nature and conservation photography experts, chaired by wildlife photographer Suzi Eszterhas. Featuring stunning images from a range of photographers from the DPG community, the competition highlights Earth’s incredible biodiversity and illustrates the many threats facing our planet and its inhabitants.
The grand prize winner was “Monarch Butterfly Forest” by Jaime Rojo, a professional photographer and National Geographic Explorer who specializes in stories about the environment and wildlife. The photo, taken at the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in Michoacán, Mexico, shows monarch butterflies “sleeping in clusters” in the reserve’s tall, lush trees as sunlight filters through the dense forest canopy.
Meanwhile, regular DPG contributor (and DPG Masters winner) Shane Gross took home top honors in the Underwater Life category with his stunning image of Western toad tadpoles during their daily migration in a lake on Vancouver Island, Canada. Shane told DPG how he captured the image—which was also awarded Underwater Photographer of the Year—in a article earlier this year.
The winner of the Landscape, Waterscape and Plant categories was, appropriately enough, split shot of a blanket of sea anemones blooming in a tidal pool in South Africa. Photographer Geo Cloete, whose name you’ll also recognize from numerous competitions, including the DPG Masters and the United Nations World Oceans Day photo contest, captured this serene image of sand anemones showing off their stunning vibrant colors as they catch prey.
Interestingly, the winner of the Winged Life category was also an underwater photograph—a moving image of northern boobies diving for food in the frigid waters of Scotland’s Shetland Islands, captured by DPG contributor Franco Banfi. Check it out. Interview with Proswhere we chat with Franco about some of the impressive images he has captured during his career.
Congratulations to all the winners and runners-up in this year’s competition. Don’t forget that the first submission deadline is Underwater Awards Australasia 2024 Photo Competition—August 1—is approaching, so hurry up and submit your entries and win exciting prizes!
Landscape, Waterscape and Plants, Winner: “In Celebration” by Geo Cloete
Winged Life, Winner: “Harmony and Chaos Underwater” by Franco Banfi
Human Nature, Finale: “Hopeless” by Alvaro Herrero
Underwater Life, Finalist: “How Many Dolphins Is Too Many?” by Merche Llobera
Life Underwater, Finalist: “Pike Place” by Luc Rooman
Underwater Life, Finalist: “Feeding Net Bubbles” by Scott Portelli
Life Underwater, Finale: “Parenthood” by Dennis Corpuz
