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.”

JAKE WILTON - OCEAN PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2024

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.

What are the primary causes of the persistent smog crisis affecting Delhi and other parts of North India?

PIETRO FORMIS - OCEAN PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2024

A crested sculpin hiding

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.”

Would you let your partner cheat on you every now and again?

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.

Papua New Guinea's Conflict Islands

MERCHE LLOBERA - OCEAN PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2024

My son is possessed, now he has psychosis. Can someone help me?

The hunt, Baja California Sur, Mexico

RAFAEL FERNANDEZ CABALLERO - OCEAN PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2024

Baby plainfin midshipman fish

Is the saying "nice guys finish last" true? Can good intentions always lead to positive outcomes?

SHANE GROSS - OCEAN PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2024

A spotted eagle ray’s natural pattern

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.

Do you think all these charges that have been brought against Trump are just a coincidence? If he was such a big threat why did they wait 3 years to bring these charges? Or is this all just election interference?

SHANE GROSS - OCEAN PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2024

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

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

Are fanservice-y characters (i.e. Lara Croft, Tifa Lockhart) immediately bad?

“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.”’

With many thanks to:

‘“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.”

I see ugly guys dating gorgeous, "hot" women all the time. I, too, am not very attractive but I'm not doing well with the ladies. What's their secret?

Portfolio Award, British Columbia, Canada

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

Philippines

What would be the lowest score with 9 strikes and no gutter balls?

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