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.”

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.

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

The Big Bang myth Our origins will always elude us - UnHerd

‘“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.”

RAFAEL FERNANDEZ CABALLERO - OCEAN PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2024

Papua New Guinea's Conflict Islands

Is the water safe to drink in England like here in America or is it necessary to bring tablets to prevent any cholera when in London?

Philippines

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.”

SHANE GROSS - OCEAN PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2024

If we colonized Mars, what would a human being from Mars be called? I’d assume Martian just as one from Earth is called an Earthling or Terran in the case of Sci-Fi media.

The hunt, Baja California Sur, Mexico

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

JAKE WILTON - OCEAN PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2024

Former MLB Star Suffers Serious Injury in Savannah Bananas Game - Sports Illustrated

Baby plainfin midshipman fish

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.

With many thanks to:

Massive 'super-Earth' discovered in the habitable zone of its star, possibly supporting life - Earth.com

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

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.

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

Exploring the cosmos fills us with wonder, Pope tells scientists - Vatican News

A spotted eagle ray’s natural pattern

MERCHE LLOBERA - OCEAN PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2024

SHANE GROSS - OCEAN PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2024

Fans slam The Alters after discovering evidence of undisclosed gen AI in images, text, and translation - Eurogamer

PIETRO FORMIS - OCEAN PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2024

“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.”’

Portfolio Award, British Columbia, Canada

What are some hard truths that MAGA needs to hear?

A crested sculpin hiding