2013 Photo Contest: Egg-cellent Shots
The 2013 Photo Contest has come to a close, but we can't get enough of the amazing underwater photos submitted by our readers! From the Behavior category, we've selected some fantastic shots of critters and their future hatchlings. From peacock mantis shrimp to cardinal fish to bullheads and more, we've got more than a dozen eggs for you!
Captions provided by photographers.
Salvatore IannielloStenopus with eggs in the Mediterranean Sea, Bacoli Italy.
Luc RoomanBullheads are born every year in winter. Taken in Grevelingen.
Marcello Di FrancescoPictured is a male cardinal fish "intent" on hatching his eggs. Taken in Malapascua, Philippines.
Alan LoSnooted mantis shrimp with eggs was taken at 13M deep in Lembeh Strait, Indonesia.
Marcello Di FrancescoSpring is the best season to shoot nudibranchs in the Mediterranean. Here a white Flabellina (ebdemic species) during spawning. Taken in Argentario, Italy.
Eduardo AcevedoNight dive with this apagon fish taking care of his future family. Taken in Tenerife.
Goos Van Der HeideA peacock mantis shrimp with eggs taken in Ambon, Indonesia.
Marcello Di FrancescoMale cardinal fish "intent" on hatching his eggs in Malapascua, Philippines.
Yen-Yi LeeI saw this pregnant ringed pipefish at around 10 meters underwater. She kept moving and sometimes turned her body over; I saw these beautiful eggs on her back and was so lucky to get this photo. Taken in Kenting, Taiwan.
Luc RoomanBullheads can be seen with eggs every year in winter. Taken in Lake Grevelingen.
Mark FullerA yellow Damsel hatches in Papua New Guinea.
Peter Allinson MDRare shot of yellowhead jawfish aerating eggs taken in Little Cayman.
J. Gregory ShermanAt first I thought this was just another jawfish, and then I caught a glimpse of the eggs he was cradling in his mouth. It took nearly 50 minutes for him to be comfortable enough with me to let me get close enough to get this shot. Taken in Isla San Pedro Martir, Mexico.
Alan LoThis flamboyant cuttle fish was taken at 12M deep. I was checking on the eggs every two days. Taken in Lembeh Strait, Indonesia.
Walter BassiNudibranch, cratena peregrina while spawning in Capo Noli, Mediterranean Sea.
The 2013 Photo Contest has come to a close, but we can't get enough of the amazing underwater photos submitted by our readers! From the Behavior category, we've selected some fantastic shots of critters and their future hatchlings. From peacock mantis shrimp to cardinal fish to bullheads and more, we've got more than a dozen eggs for you!
Captions provided by photographers.