Henley Spiers
Manta Sunset Wave
Reef manta rays feeding, Maldives, 2024
Category - Ocean
In the southern Ari Atoll at sunset, manta rays undulate just beneath the surface, using their cephalic fins to funnel plankton into their mouths. After discovering this unusual plankton bloom, I returned over four days to witness their mesmerising feeding behaviour. As I was alone in the water, the rays grew bold and curious in my presence. The Maldives in the Indian Ocean is home to the largest known population of reef manta rays (Mobula alfredi), a region central to advancing our understanding of the species. Since 2014, the country has been a sanctuary for manta rays, including a ban on targeted mantal fishing.
HONOURABLE MENTION
15 mm f/3.5-4.5 Lens - 1/200 sec at f/13 ISO 500