Bronze in Nature/Underwater / 2025 / Nature / Underwater

• Prize
  Bronze in Nature/Underwater
• Photographer
  Go Nagai, Japan

Normally shy and elusive, squids allow close approach only during spawning. This photo captures a male squid guarding a female as she lays eggs on a submerged tree branch. The male’s stillness and focus give him the presence of a silent guardian in the deep. In the background, rival males linger quietly, waiting for a chance to replace him. The scene reflects the fragile balance between protection, competition, and the continuation of life beneath the sea.