SEA OF CORTEZ, MEXICO

FIRST PRIZE - Macro/Other Category in the 2024 Share the View International Nature Photography Contest UNDERWATER DANCERS - Beautiful, graceful mobula rays swimming in the Sea of Cortez are an impressive and breathtaking sight underwater with their m

FIRST PRIZE - Macro/Other Category in the 2024 Share the View International Nature Photography Contest UNDERWATER DANCERS - Beautiful, graceful mobula rays swimming in the Sea of Cortez are an impressive and breathtaking sight underwater with their massive aggregations. (Baja California Sur, Mexico)

FIRST PLACE - Nature/Amateur Category in the 2024 Monochrome Awards International Black and White Photography Contest FISH BALLOON - While looking for marine megafauna in the Sea of Cortez, our group spotted what appeared to be a large bait ball of f

FIRST PLACE - Nature/Amateur Category in the 2024 Monochrome Awards International Black and White Photography Contest FISH BALLOON - While looking for marine megafauna in the Sea of Cortez, our group spotted what appeared to be a large bait ball of fish. Upon closer inspection, the ball of fish was determined to be balloonfish. Balloonfish have a defensive mechanism where they can fill up with water or air into a spherical shape with protruding spines. Adults are usually solitary, but I later learned that juveniles may form aggregations. Their collective round formation reminds me of a single balloonfish in their defensive state. I really love how these little fish came together to form such a beautiful, artistic sight with their reflection at the surface of the water and the sun’s rays surrounding them. (Baja California Sur, Mexico)

PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR - Featured image in the 2025 The Nature Photography Contest MOBULA ROCKET – Mobula rays exhibit stunning acrobatics when jumping out of the water. They suddenly burst out of the sea like a rocket and become airborne, eventua

PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR - Featured image in the 2025 The Nature Photography Contest MOBULA ROCKET – Mobula rays exhibit stunning acrobatics when jumping out of the water. They suddenly burst out of the sea like a rocket and become airborne, eventually landing back in the sea in a belly flop or flipping onto their backs. It’s not known exactly why they do this, but theories include communication, ridding of parasites, part of a mating ritual, or just because they are happy. (Sea of Cortez, Baja California Sur, Mexico)

AN ANGEL IN MY HEAD - While searching the Sea of Cortez earlier this month for marine megafauna, our group encountered this little transparent creature. Several people from our group were experts on identification of animals in this location. Howev

AN ANGEL IN MY HEAD - While searching the Sea of Cortez earlier this month for marine megafauna, our group encountered this little transparent creature. Several people from our group were experts on identification of animals in this location. However, no one knew what this creature was. After some research, it was identified as a Japetella octopus. Imagination eads me to see a Mona Lisa smile and an angel inside its head. (Baja California Sur, Mexico)

TOP 31/JUDGE'S CHOICE - Macro, Micro, and All Other Wildlife Category in the 2026 North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA) Showcase Competition GENTLE GLIDER - A giant oceanic manta ray with attached remora swimming in the Sea of Cortez,

TOP 31/JUDGE'S CHOICE - Macro, Micro, and All Other Wildlife Category in the 2026 North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA) Showcase Competition GENTLE GLIDER - A giant oceanic manta ray with attached remora swimming in the Sea of Cortez, Baja California Sur, Mexico. The manta ray and the remora have a mutualistic relationship where each provides benefits to the other.

THIRD PLACE - The Best of 2025 Challenge in the 2025 Pangolin Photo Challenge ORCA FAMILY – While recently exploring the Sea of Cortez in Baja California Sur, Mexico, I saw many fascinating creatures. On the very last day, I finally encountered the

THIRD PLACE - The Best of 2025 Challenge in the 2025 Pangolin Photo Challenge ORCA FAMILY – While recently exploring the Sea of Cortez in Baja California Sur, Mexico, I saw many fascinating creatures. On the very last day, I finally encountered the superstars of the sea – orcas. Swimming with this family of beautiful, magnificent, and intelligent creatures was nothing short of awe-inspiring.

WINNER OF THE SPECIAL AWARD: OCEAN LIFE in the 2025 Share the View International Nature Photography Contest; FINALIST in the 2026 Siena International Photo Awards; TOP 250 in the 2026 North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA) Showcase Com

WINNER OF THE SPECIAL AWARD: OCEAN LIFE in the 2025 Share the View International Nature Photography Contest; FINALIST in the 2026 Siena International Photo Awards; TOP 250 in the 2026 North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA) Showcase Competition ORCAS IN SUNBEAMS – While recently exploring the Sea of Cortez in Baja California Sur, Mexico, I saw many fascinating creatures. On the very last day, I finally encountered the superstars of the sea – orcas. Swimming with this family of beautiful, magnificent, and intelligent creatures showered in sunbeams was nothing short of awe-inspiring.

DOLPHIN SNACK – On the very last day of exploring the Sea of Cortez for megafauna, I finally encountered the superstars of the sea – orcas (Orcinus orca). Our group observed a pod of spinner dolphins from our boat that suddenly began to act erratic.

DOLPHIN SNACK – On the very last day of exploring the Sea of Cortez for megafauna, I finally encountered the superstars of the sea – orcas (Orcinus orca). Our group observed a pod of spinner dolphins from our boat that suddenly began to act erratic. Even though we couldn’t see the orcas at the time, we knew they were near. Afterwards, I encountered this orca with the tail remnants of a spinner dolphin in its mouth. (Baja California Sur, Mexico)

SWIMMING WITH AN APEX PREDATOR – While recently exploring the Sea of Cortez in Baja California Sur, Mexico, I saw many fascinating creatures including manta rays, silky sharks, sea lions, mobula rays, and dolphins. On the very last day, I finally en

SWIMMING WITH AN APEX PREDATOR – While recently exploring the Sea of Cortez in Baja California Sur, Mexico, I saw many fascinating creatures including manta rays, silky sharks, sea lions, mobula rays, and dolphins. On the very last day, I finally encountered the superstars of the sea – orcas (Orcinus orca). I really like the size perspective in this photo with the swimmer looking so small next to the orca. Swimming with these of beautiful, magnificent, and intelligent creatures was nothing short of awe-inspiring.