What's your photograph of the day 1097?

Philippines

Papua New Guinea's Conflict Islands

A spotted eagle ray’s natural pattern is on as-if-by-designer display. “On one of my dives, this beautiful eagle ray caught my eye,” says Palomeque Gonzalez. “It swam calmly across the sandy bottom as it exposed its intricate back to us all. I was amazed that nature inspires the most revolutionary creations. Its skin pattern reminds me of a binary code.”

What is the most heartbreaking or sad love story that you ever had (experienced)?

PIETRO FORMIS - OCEAN PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2024

A marine iguana sits on a rock. Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

With their dramatic marine wildlife encounters, gorgeous examples of our species’ connection with the ocean and stark reminders of the human impact on our seas, underwater photographers bring the best of our ocean planet to life and highlight the many perils it faces.

What was your wildest experience as a lesbian?

‘“As we gaze at this marine iguana, with half of its body submerged in the waters and the other half emerging above the surface, it's impossible not to marvel at the uniqueness of these creatures,” says Fernandez Caballero. “Without a doubt, marine iguanas are living dinosaurs, a testament to the countless stages and transformations life on our planet has undergone.”

Conservation efforts have transformed former poachers into protectors. Amid this success swims the rare leucistic green sea turtle.

RAFAEL FERNANDEZ CABALLERO - OCEAN PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2024

What's your love story?

With many thanks to:

JAKE WILTON - OCEAN PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2024

A crested sculpin hides in the stinging tentacles of a lion’s mane jellyfish. “The tentacles provide both shelter and food for the cryptic fish in Alaska’s Prince William Sound,” explains Shane Gross.

Why do British people always write "xxx" after their names?

A crested sculpin hiding

A 7 Image Gallery of Marine Photos Shortlisted For The Ocean Photographer Of The Year Contest. Just Awesome! Do Enjoy 🤍

MIZAEL PALOMEQUE GONZALEZ, MEXICO - OCEAN PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2024

I’m wondering about attachment and transference with the therapist and the idea of escape and fantasy? How much do you think your strong feelings, constant thoughts, desires to be with your therapist are a way to escape from your present life? I wonder if the transference serves another purpose than to show us our wounds and/or past experiences, but is a present coping strategy for managing what we don’t want to face (even if unconsciously) in the present—-current relationships, life circumstances, etc. Can anyone relate to this concept of escape in relation to their therapy relationship? How does this play out for you?

MERCHE LLOBERA - OCEAN PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2024

Above, pelicans in the sea off Mexico’s Baja California Sur dive from the sky in a well-coordinated dance. Underwater, mahi-mahi dart around at top speed, chasing sardines. “The surface was murky from the feast, with sea lions also joining the action,” says Merche Llobera. “Whales passed by, but none went for the sardines.”

SHANE GROSS - OCEAN PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2024

Why are there so many girls and not enough boys to follow?

The hunt, Baja California Sur, Mexico

“The (African pompano) juveniles look very different from adults,” says Pietro Formis. “They are very thin, with a silver body and very long appendages on their fins. Usually, the filaments stretch out behind them, making it almost impossible to capture the whole fish. The long fins created circles around the silver fish, looking like neon lights at night.”’

A spotted eagle ray’s natural pattern

Why are many women so drawn or attracted to men that have been or are currently in prison and men that are involved in street life/illegal activities?

Portfolio Award, British Columbia, Canada

Baby Plainfin Midshipman fish, still attached to their yolk sacs, are hidden under a rock in an intertidal zone in Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.

Baby plainfin midshipman fish

Why do older men like to get anal sex?

SHANE GROSS - OCEAN PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2024