Water Winners

Winner

A spotted cleaner shrimp on a giant purple anemone

Photographer: Martin Dickens

"This photograph was taken at the end of a long dive with mostly poor visibility and therefore few photographic opportunities.  We were on our way to the surface, moving along a shallow sandy bottom, when I saw a brilliantly lit group of anemones. Initially, attracted by the beautiful purple colour, and a little disappointed that there were no pretty clown fish, I failed to notice anything else.  However, several inquisitive cleaner shrimp soon emerged from the tentacles and tried to clean the front of my camera.  I only had a few minutes to take pictures due to limited air but they were the best of the whole trip."

Location: Bonaire, Caribbean

Camera details: Canon G10 with underwater housing, f/3.2, 1/125, ISO 80, onboard flash

Runner-up

Salmon ascending some falls

Photographer: Lynsey Hall

"In early autumn, many salmon can be seen trying to ascend the Falls of Feugh, near Banchory about 15 miles from my hometown. The afternoon was growing late so the sun was starting to sink behind the falls. I must have been standing there for about an hour to get the shot. As it required quick reflexes to capture a jump lasting only a second or so, I had to have the shot set up with the water in focus. Then it was simply a waiting game for a salmon to leap through that area of water. Finally my efforts paid off and a massive salmon jumped into the frame and SNAP, his efforts were caught on camera. Standing there watching the salmon with several families standing nearby doing the same really brought home how much natural beauty is on our doorsteps. It truly was a "Visit Scotland" advert moment."

Location: Falls of Feugh near Banchory, Aberdeenshire

Camera details: Canon EOS 5D, aperture 5.0, 1/800s, ISO 320, using a 75-300mm lens

Highly Commended

Mother and young dolphins swimming and riding the bow wave

Photographer: Susan Burr

"This picture of a mother and young bottle nosed dolphin was a real wow moment in a fantastic trip to the Galapagos Islands.  It was very difficult to choose which photo to enter in the competition since all the wildlife was unafraid of humans and easy to photograph.

The picture was taken in the waters between the islands of Bartolome and North Seymour.  Along the way we were joined by a large mixed age school who played and rode the boat’s bow wave for about 20 mins—magical times, they just seemed to be having fun.  Every so often a head would turn so that we could be viewed    - who was watching who?"

Location: off the Bartolome Island, part of the Galapagos, Ecuador

Camera details: Canon EOS1000D with Tamron lens set on 70mm and was taken over the bow of the boat, f/8, exp1/250, ISO200