What's your photograph of the day 1097?

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.”

RAFAEL FERNANDEZ CABALLERO - OCEAN PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2024

MERCHE LLOBERA - OCEAN PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2024

Do crossdressers like wearing pantyliners and tampons in their butts?

A spotted eagle ray’s natural pattern

‘“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.”

Philippines

Why do siblings (or other close relatives) stop visiting each other as they grow older? Why does this happen with so many people nowadays?

“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.”’

The hunt, Baja California Sur, Mexico

SHANE GROSS - OCEAN PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2024

Why does Christianity push reconciliation after a partner cheats? Mine had a 7-year affair with someone half my age. He cheated and lied. He is not the same to me.

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

PIETRO FORMIS - OCEAN PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2024

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

How likely is it to make a living out of being a window cleaner in a Nordic country?

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.”

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.

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.

Why are Americans obese? Is it the food or is it the psychology?

A crested sculpin hiding

SHANE GROSS - OCEAN PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2024

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

What's your love story?

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Portfolio Award, British Columbia, Canada

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

What is something you want to "get off your chest"?

JAKE WILTON - OCEAN PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2024

Papua New Guinea's Conflict Islands

Baby plainfin midshipman fish

Volcano Found Hiding 'In Plain Sight' Right Next to NASA Mars Rover - ScienceAlert

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.