Sometimes we get so caught up in the hunt for aliens up above we forget there is still a largely unexplored world of extraordinary biography down below . So when an opportunity to glimpse some of the secrets of the deep comes along , we leap at the chance to divvy up them with you .
This latest look at life under the wave comes courtesy of the Underwater Photography Guide’sOcean Art Contest . Now in its seventh year , the 2018 winners have been annunciate , and they are rather incredible to behold .
From ocean giants to ludicrously tiny specimens , the weird and fantastic have been captured – some refined and self-respecting , others perhaps not quite so pic - ready – by some of the best underwater photographers in the world .
Sixteen different categories , from the technical Wide - angle and Macro to Marine Life Behavior and Underwater Art , guarantee a broad range of photographic panache and skills . Nudibranchs even got their own category , because frankly , those dudes are so strange - sounding and diverse , they deserve it .
With plunder totaling $ 80,000 , photographer from over 70 countries entered and the quality of submissions this year was the dependable yet , according to the organizers .
“ This year ’s outstanding underwater image in the Ocean Art Underwater Photo Competition go forward to raise the bar for underwater lensman , ” Underwater Photography Guide publishing firm Scott Gietler state in astatementannouncing the winner .
Best in Show was pull ahead by Duncan Morell for his “ Courting Devil Ray Ballet ” , submit in the Marine Life Behaviour category . Caught mid - wooing , the rays are beautiful in their trend , however gargantuan devil rays , which can turn over up to a 5 - time ( 16 - foot ) wingspan , are listed as jeopardize due to being unwitting victims of by-catch by large fishery , so this behavior documented is of scientific interest as well as esthetic .
And in case you were wondering just how " gargantuan " these rays can get …
Not to be outdone in the dramatic stakes , this crocodile prompt us that having been around for 200 million long time , they easily outlived the dinosaurs .
Life under the wave proffer up some truly weird , wonderful , and sometimes astonishingly cute , creatures .
Even deep - sea beasties manage to show off personality and whether they are happy or not to have their photo taken .
Modern this year was the Underwater Art category , won this year by Bruno Van Saen for this snazzy shot of a ' " discotheque " sea slug .
And lastly , one of our favorites , not least because we do n’t know how long corals like this will be around to be photograph . you may check out the residue of the winners and entry over on theUnderwater Photography Guide website .
