Oooooh... that tickles!

• Prize
• Photographer
  Michele Hall, United States
• Studio
  Howard Hall Productions
• Website
  http://www.howardhall.com

I went to the island of Bushuanga in the Philippines to photograph dugongs in the wild.
In order that the dugongs ability to feed is not adversely affected, diver interaction is
regulated and limited.
I was thrilled to find this one, and to swam with it on 5 consecutive days, some days
getting closer than others.
On almost all occasions the dugong was surrounded by remora suckerfish as it searched
the sand for food. The remoras were presumably being opportunistic, hoping to get scraps
of leftover food to eat.
Periodically the dugong rolled on its back, slithering around as if trying to rid
itself of the suckerfish. So much sand was disturbed that at times I had trouble seeing
the 8-foot long marine mammal.

• Awards
  Produced numerous award winning marine wildlife documentaries for television and IMAX Theatrical release Wildlife Photographer of the Year 1992: The Underwater World: Highly Commended World Shootout Photo contest competition 2016: Wide-Angle: Semi-finalist Annual World Oceans Day Oceanic Photo Competition 2016: Making a Difference, Humans in Action: 1st Place Ocean Geographic Photo Competition 2017/2018: Animal Behavior: Finalist (final results TBA)