To immortalize these boreal toad tadpoles (Anaxyrus boreas) operating in an underwater world bathed in light, Shane Gross snorkeled for hours, carefully swimming between mats of water lilies to avoid lifting the thin layers of silt and algae.
“Having an image that wins the 60e WPY is truly incredible, and showcasing the wetlands is a true honor,” says Canadian marine conservation photojournalist and contributor Shane Gross. National Geographic.
He photographed these dark tadpoles the size of paper clips at Cedar Lake on Vancouver Island, Canada. “The challenge was finding the ideal distance between camera and subject and lighting them just enough to stand out against the colored background,” he responded via email to National Geographic.
“Wetlands can be astonishingly beautiful and desperately need protection,” he continues. They provide us with so many services that people are unaware of”; for example, they protect cities from flooding.
“With all the disasters happening around the world, it’s high time we see the value of nature for what it is, and act accordingly. »
